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Preview: Atletico Madrid vs. Sevilla

Preview: Atletico Madrid vs. Sevilla
© PA Photos
Sports Mole previews the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final between Atletico Madrid and Sevilla on Thursday.

Atletico Madrid welcome Sevilla to the Vicente Calderon on Thursday in the first leg of their semi-final in the Copa del Rey.

Atletico have enjoyed an impressive season thus far, taking a total of 47 points from 21 matches to sit second in the La Liga table, four points ahead of capital rivals Real Madrid.

They enter the match having failed to win in their last two matches, however, with a 3-0 defeat away to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday their most disappointing result of the season.

Sevilla, meanwhile, have lost just one of their last five matches in all competitions having overcome early struggles, but they still sit nine points off a Champions League position in 11th place in the table.

The two sides have already met in the league this season, with Atletico recording a 4-0 win on their own turf. However, three of the last four matches between the pair have ended in a draw.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone still has concerns over the fitness of Radamel Falcao, with the Colombian expected to return to the bench, rather than the starting side.

Adrian Lopez could come in for a rare start alongside Diego Costa, while Miranda and Mario Suarez are both expected to start having missed the weekend defeat against Athletic Bilbao.

Sevilla, meanwhile, are expected to name the same side that beat Granada at the weekend. First-choice goalkeeper Andres Palop could return, but Julian Cuesta is on standby having impressed last time out.

Recent form:

Atletico Madrid: WWWDL
Sevilla: LDDWW

Possible lineups:

Atletico Madrid: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Luis; Suarez, Tiago, Garcia, Turan; Costa, Adrian

Sevilla: Cuesta; Navarro, Spahic, Fazio, Cicinho; Kondogbia, Rakitic, Medel; Navas, Negredo, Reyes

Sports Mole says: 2-0


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Matt Law
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid16113234132136
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Villarreal157532725226
6Real Sociedad167361611524
7Osasuna166642225-324
8Mallorca177371620-424
9GironaGirona166462223-122
10Celta Vigo166372527-221
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Rayo Vallecano155461516-119
13Sevilla165471723-619
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1541101528-1313
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


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