Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie between Sevilla and Leicester City.

When Leicester City booked their place in the knockout stages of the competition, there was optimism emanating from their supporters and with the club a number of points above the relegation zone in the Premier League, why not? Ever since the 5-0 defeat to Porto on Matchday Six, Leicester have been seen as a sinking ship and with the club now in a battle for survival in the English top flight, manager Claudio Ranieri must now decide whether this competition is now a bonus or a distraction.

Leicester were handed a favourable draw for the group stages and when they were paired with Sevilla in the last 16, it was considered a decent draw, all things considered. That said, Sevilla boast a formidable record at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium and there is a feeling that Leicester are up against it to remain in the tie ahead of the second leg at the King Power Stadium.

RESULT! The second leg of the Europa League tie between Saint-Etienne and Manchester United was taking place this evening, rather than Thursday, and United have completed a 4-0 aggregate win after claiming a 1-0 triumph in France. Click here to have a read of our on-the-whistle report.

Anyway, without further ado, let's crack on with the team news from Seville. How has Ranieri decided to line up this evening?

LEICESTER CITY XI: Schmeichel, Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs, Albrighton, Drinkwater, Ndidi, Musa, Mahrez, Vardy

LEICESTER CITY SUBSTITUTES: Zieler, Chilwell, King, Amartey, Okazaki, Gray, Benalouane

It's fair to say that Ranieri has decided to throw caution to the wind and go for away goals. There had been the suggestion that Shinji Okazaki would play behind Jamie Vardy but instead, Riyad Mahrez and Ahmed Musa will make up a three-man attack. Wilfried Ndidi will also have a key part to play in the centre of midfield. The negative to deciding on such an attacking lineup is that there are no strikers on the bench. Both Islam Slimani and Leonardo Ulloa are still injured.

SEVILLA XI: Sergio Rico, Rami, Lenglet, Escudero, Mariano, Nzonzi, Sarabia, Nasri, Vitolo, Jovetic, Correa

SEVILLA SUBSTITUTES: Soria, Kranevitter, Carrico, Ibora, Vietto, Ben Yedder, Vazquez.

There are some familiar names in that Sevilla starting lineup, aren't there? Regular viewers of the Premier League will know of Steven Nzonzi, Samir Nasri and Stevan Jovetic, while Pablo Sarabia is another player that the Foxes will have to watch.

I think this probably goes without saying, but this is Leicester's first ever meeting with Sevilla.

However, Sevilla have had some tussles with English opposition over the years. Arguably the most famous came in May when the Spaniard outfit came back from a goal deficit to win the Europa League final against Liverpool. It marked the 10-year anniversary of their 4-0 thrashing of Middlesbrough in the final of the same competition.

This is what Ranieri has had to say ahead of the game. I think he understands that this could be a pivotal match in their seasons, for right or wrong reasons.

CLAUDIO: "When you play in the #ucl, players are always focused. We're underdogs, but we're strong and want to show our football." #SevLei — Leicester City (@LCFC) February 22, 2017

CLAUDIO: "We want to make a good performance for our fans. We want to be positive, to try to score and to be concentrated." #SevLei — Leicester City (@LCFC) February 22, 2017

You are probably aware of how Leicester came through their group against Porto, Copenhagen and Club Brugge respectively, but what about Sevilla?

They were paired with Juventus, Lyon and Dinamo Zagreb - which was a pretty tough group - but a goalless draw away at Juventus and a 1-0 win over Lyon set the tone and after back-to-back wins over Zagreb, it was basically job done. Juventus came away 3-1 winners when they visited Seville but a goalless draw in Lyon meant that Jorge Sampaoli's men finished three points clear in second place.

We've already touched upon the inclusions of Nzonzi, Nasri and Jovetic but let's take a more detailled look at their stats for the season.

Former Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City midfielder Nzonzi has made 30 starts in all competitions - which highlights his importance to this Sevilla team - while Nasri has also featured regularly, with three goals from 21 appearances. Jovetic only joined in January, but he already has three goals in seven matches to his name.

PREDICTION! As much as we would like to back Leicester tonight, we feel that this could be a long night for the Foxes. A 2-1, or even 3-1, defeat would represent success to a certain extent but goals have been a big problem for Ranieri and his players and that extravagant team selection could backfire and leave Sevilla to dominate. We think the home side will win 4-0.

It's time for the teams to make their way out at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium. The Leicester fans have travelled over in numbers but I'm sure that they are a little pessimistic ahead of this game.

Sevilla get us underway.

SHOT! It has been all Sevilla during these early stages and Sarabia attempts to surprise Schmeichel with a curling effort from the right flank but it lands on top of the net.

SHOT! This is probably a bit too ambitious from Fuchs but I don't suppose you can blame him for shooting from 30 yards. Leicester probably won't get many attempts on goal all match. It goes harmlessly over.

Sevilla are still having the better of the action but to Leicester's credit, they are competing well. It's still very early days but they certainly look up for this match, as they should.

That said, the pressure is starting to come from the home side. A player almost gets a decisive flick at the front post from a corner before moments later, a cross from the right causes all kind of problems for the Leicester defence.

MISS! Schmeichel makes the save! How big a moment could this be?! Morgan dived into a challenge in the penalty area and he upended Correa. It's a definite spot kick. However, Schmeichel guessed correctly and saved from Correa low down to his right.

Almost a chance for Leicester and it nearly fell to Morgan, who got ahead of his defender in an attempt to get on the end of Albrighton's cross. However, he just fails to make contact and the ball goes out for a goal kick.

SAVE! Schmeichel is keeping Leicester on level terms. It's all too easy for Sevilla who manage to create a chance for Escudero on the edge of the penalty area but his low drive is brilliantly kept out by the Danish stopper.

It had been coming. Sarabia has been Sevilla's most dangerous player but I didn't expect him to score with a header. Escudero's cross from the left is superb and Sarabia is able to power a header into the far corner from 10 yards. It is unstoppable. Leicester really up against it.

SHOT! Moments after the goal, Jovetic tried his luck from 40 yards and it nearly paid off as his shot was deflected on goal. It looked like it was going to loop over Schmeichel but he managed to tip the ball over the crossbar.

We are through half an hour of this match and Leicester are fortunate to be just the one goal down. That said, I don't think that they are going to be able to keep it down to just the one for too much longer. Sevilla are in total command.

We have barely seen anything from Vardy, Mahrez and Musa. In all fairness, they have been feeding on scraps but they are not contributing in any way whatsoever. The story of Leicester's season, I'm afraid.

Drinkwater just had plenty of time and space in the centre of the park and because he was indecisive and no-one offered him a pass, he was forced to go backwards and the ball eventually went out of play. These two teams are several classes apart.

SHOT! Another attempt on goal from Sevilla comes from Correa, who forces Schmeichel to parry the ball behind with a shot from just over 20 yards.

Leicester win a free kick around 35 yards out after Vardy is fouled. It's probably too far out for a shot but I have a feeling that someone is going to attempt one...

Mahrez tried to find Morgan but it's good defending from Sevilla. The Spanish outfit then win a free kick.

There will be one minute of added-on time.

CHANCE! This is such a let-off for Leicester. Vitolo jumps above his marker to head over the bar but Correa was waiting to nod in behind him!

The half-time whistle goes in Seville and the home side leads thanks to Sarabia's header. Leicester have been poor and they are fortunate not to be at least three goals behind. Schmeichel has kept them in this tie. They need to make huge improvements in the second half.

Leicester get us back underway. No changes for either side.

Both teams have had speculative efforts from the edge of the area. Nzonzi's striker was much better than Musa's. Both were off target, however. There's certainly a bit more intent about Leicester.

SHOT! This is much better from Leicester but they need to find a goal. Ndidi's volley was well-struck but it was arrowed straight at the goalkeeper.

WOODWORK! Sevilla go up the other end and hit the post! Schmeichel thinks that he has it covered but Vitolo's effort from an acute angle hits the post and goes across goal. Schmeichel gets lucky.

Sevilla are very much back in the ascendancy now. Leicester are still doing much better than the first half but they have lost a bit of momentum. Demarai Gray is being readied.

SUBSTITUTION! The home side are being forced into a change with Daniel Carrico coming on for Lenglet, who has picked up a knock.

SHOT! Sarabia has a wand of a left foot but he can't get his shot from 16 yards on target. He tried to deceive Schmeichel by aiming for the near post but he dragged it wide of the post.

SUBSTITUTION! Ranieri makes his first alteration with Gray replacing Musa.

Leicester had been building a head of steam but they are conceded at completely the wrong time. After a long ball found Jovetic, the loanee did well to hold off the attentions of the Leicester defence before teeing up Correa to fire the ball past Schmeichel and into the net via the underside of the crossbar.

SUBSTITUTION! That turns out to be Correa's last contribution as he is replaced by Vicente Iborra.

For Leicester, it's all about not conceding a third. If Sevilla take a 3-0 lead to the East Midlands, it's already game over. Ranieri will probably want to push for an away goal but chances are it is not going to come.

More pressing from Sevilla and they come close to a third when a ball is sent across the face of goal. Fuchs has to get himself out of the way and he's lucky that there isn't a Sevilla player behind him.

Lift off for Leicester and for Vardy! Where on earth did this come from?! Drinkwater is sent free towards the penalty area and he produces a stunning cross for Vardy to convert into the roof of the net from six yards. It's an away goal, too! Referee, blow your whistle...

The energy and confidence is back with Leicester. They are starting to spray the ball about and they want a second. They can't switch off at the back, though. Sevilla want a third as well.

BOOKING! Escudero goes into the book for hauling down Mahrez as he made his way towards goal.

Less than 10 minutes to go. There's a feeling that there is another goal in this because neither side are going defensive, but if, IF, Leicester can hang on to this scoreline, it's potentially massive.

Gray hasn't really had chance to show his pace but he is given the opportunity to lengthen his stride from the halfway line with Sevilla's defenders dropping deep. However, his decision-making is poor and he runs straight into a player from the home side.

SHOT! Sevilla really aren't finished in this match. A long-range effort from Jovetic is deflected and Schmeichel is wrong-footed, but the ball goes wide.

SUBSTITUTION! Daniel Amartey is introduced into the action as a replacement for Albrighton.

WOODWORK! Rami hits the bar! So close for Sevilla. The Frenchman rose above the Leicester defence to power a header on goal but his effort clipped the crossbar and went over.

There will be three minutes of added-on time.

It's all Sevilla. Leicester are just trying to hang on.

Less than 60 seconds left. Sevilla have a free kick in their own half.

The full-time whistle goes in Seville and somehow, Leicester had managed to end the first leg with a 2-1 defeat. Sevilla had chances throughout the game and will wonder how they haven't scored at least four this evening but Vardy's late goal has set up the return fixture at the King Power Stadium.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this evening and we hope to see you tomorrow for the Europa League. Goodbye for now.