Sevilla will be looking to wrap up a top-four finish when they face Athletic Club on Sunday at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium at 21:00GMT.
Match Preview
Can Sevilla Secure a Top-Four Finish with a Win on La Liga’s Final Day Fixture?
Sevilla are currently leading fifth-placed Real Betis by three points, which means they will need at least a draw in their last match against Athletic Club on Sunday.
Sevilla’s approach against an Athletic side experiencing a renaissance in the run-in is to win and guarantee a top-four finish and a Champions League berth next season.
However, Sevilla have not won in the last four matches, with all these outings ending in draws. Therefore, they will be keen to end the season in winning ways in the clash against Athletic Club on Sunday.
Can Athletic Club Seal an 8th-Place Finish with a Win Away to Sevilla?
The upsurge in form that Athletic Club have experienced in recent matches has not been consistent enough to sustain an assault on European places.
Depending on Villarreal’s final result of the season, Athletic Club are likely to finish either eighth or seventh. This will be a significant way off the top-four places.
Athletic’s challenges have mainly been a lack of consistency during the season to collect enough points to compete in the top half of the table.
Form Guide
Sevilla
Sevilla have won just once in the last five matches; the other four fixtures have ended up in four consecutive draws.
As a result, Sevilla’s once-promising title challenge has fizzled out into a struggle to keep their top-four positions. This run of form has seen Sevilla overtaken by both Barcelona (2nd) and Atletico Madrid (3rd).
They have collected 7 points from a possible 15, thus dropping 8 points in the process.
Athletic Club
Athletic Club have won three times, drawn once, and lost once in their last five rounds of La Liga fixtures.
They have collected 10 points and dropped just five in this run; this has seen Athletic climb the table into the top half, and the current eighth place on the La Liga log.
Athletic will be looking to make two consecutive wins to end the season when they face Sevilla on Sunday.
Team News
Sevilla
Sevilla will be without the services of defensive midfielder Fernando in the match against Athletic Club on Sunday.
The experienced 34-year-old is recovering from an ankle injury he suffered on February 28th, 2022.
Fernando is expected back fit for Sevilla at the beginning of July, which means he will miss the clash against Athletic.
Athletic Club
Athletic will be without second striker Oihan Sancet for the clash against Sevilla on Sunday.
The 22-year-old has struggled with pubitis since April 20th, 2022, which has kept him out of five Athletic matches. He is a massive doubt for the clash with Sevilla to end the season.
Possible Starting Lineups
Sevilla
Bono; M. Acuna, D. Carlos, J. Kounde, G. Montiel; T. Delaney, N. Gudelj, I. Rakitic; Papu Gomez, Y. En-Nesyri, L. Ocampos
Athletic Club
Simon; O. de Marcos, Y. Alvarez, I. Martinex, Y. Berchiche; I. Muniain, U. Vencedor, D. Garcia, N. Williams; R. Garcia, I. Williams
Players to Watch
L. Ocampos
Lucas Ocampos has been in sparkling for Sevilla in recent matches. His eight goals and five assists in 38 appearances for Sevilla show his worth and effectiveness for the team.
Ocampos will be crucial for Sevilla when they face Athletic on Sunday as they seek to end the season with a win and thus secure a top-four position.
R. Garcia
Garcia has been a crucial presence for Athletic this season. His six goals and two assists have been pivotal for the club on their way to their current eighth position.
His goal scoring and all-around play are massive assets for Athletic in their attacking phase and in causing opponents problems.
Garcia will be important for Athletic when they face Sevilla on Sunday and as they look to end the season with two consecutive wins.
Prediction
Sevilla will be motivated to secure their position among the top four in La Liga; they will start the match faster, on the front foot, and dominate possession.
Athletic will be equally strong and direct in their approach to this match. With little to lose for Bilbao, they will be free to play an open and attacking match.
Sevilla are the favourites to win this match and take the three points.
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