Sevilla (3rd, 61 pts) v Recreativo (7th, 50pts)
When: 22:00 CET - Saturday, May 12, 2007
Where: Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville
Sevilla have no doubt that defeat at Real Madrid last weekend has not ruled them out of the title race and are determined to put their bid back on the rails against Recre this weekend.
Juande Ramos' side were undone by Guti in the Bernabéu after the substitute produced two stunning passes to undo all of the visitors' work in the opening half.
While the Madrid-biased media immediately ruled the Andalucian upstarts out of the running for the championship, the fact remains that they are only four points behind the leaders still.
It is almost as if the pundits had been fully expecting Sevilla to fall away and have actually been surprised just how long their challenge has lasted.
Barça and Madrid maybe the more attractive clubs to follow because of the rivalry and history, but a good result this weekend could see Ramos' side lift themselves truly back into contention.
Victory is a must, in a game that will be over-shadowed by the club's appearance in the UEFA Cup final in midweek, because the top two also have home matches that they are expected to win.
Staying Quiet
While Madrid continue to talk up their chances and Barça opt to lay low after their midweek cup humiliation, Sevilla are not talking about the title.
Oddly, Ramos' side face a very similar run-in to Madrid with the two teams facing Recre, Deportivo, Zaragoza and Real Mallorca in their last five matches.
Recreativo recognise their role as decisive one, but with their own agenda to focus on will be looking to pick up points against both teams.
After winning promotion at the end of the last season to the top flight, many predicted a campaign of struggle and it was thought that they would make a swift return to the second tier.
Instead, coach Marcelino García Torral has overseen one of the season's success stories and Recre's push for a European place next term is on a par with any of the title-chasing clubs' performances.
Revelations
WIth a very limited budget, the trainer has moulded a very strong unit spearheaded by strikers that have already attracted interest from the more glamorous clubs.
Uche Ikechuckwu has been a revelation and has continued his superb form in la Segunda A this term, stunning several top flight defences with his pace and strength.
Alongside him has been Florent Sinama-Pongolle, who has made the loan switch from Liverpool permanent after showing why the Reds purchased him in the first place.
Instead of scrapping it out with the bottom clubs, Recre are sitting in seventh place and are confident of over-hauling Atlético de Madrid, who appear determined to throw their season away in the last few matches.
TEAM NEWS
Sevilla: Ramos is determined to keep his team's dream of the title alive and will not rest any players for this encounter. The only players that cannot be considered are Ernesto Chevantón, who is suspended, and Javi Navarro, Andreas Hinkel and Adriano, who are all injured. Aitor Ocio is back after being suspended in midweek for the cup encounter with Depor, and so too is Luis Fabiano who missed the Wednesday match with a knock.
Probable Starting XI: Palop; Daniel Alves, Aitor Ocio, Escudé, David; Jesús Navas, Poulsen, Martí, Puerta; Luis Fabiano, Kanouté.
Recreativo: Marcelino has very few injury doubts, with the only certainty being goalkeeper Javier López Vallejo who is out with tendonitis and will be replaced between the sticks by Bertran Laquait.
Probable Starting XI: Laquait; Merino, Pablo Amo, Mario, Poli; Juanma, Jesús Vázquez, Barber, Cazorla; Uche, Sinama-Pongolle.
Goal.com - Match Preview - La Liga Preview: Sevilla - Recreativo