Sevilla's test of derby credentials

The first Andalusian derby of 2006/07 takes place on Sunday with Real Betis Balompié looking to take UEFA Cup holders and UEFA Super Cup winners Sevilla FC down a peg.

Greek success
Sevilla top the Spanish table after emphatic victories against Levante UD and Real Sociedad de Fútbol in their opening games, and Thursday night's UEFA Cup first-round trip to Greek side Atromitos FC also ended in a 2-1 first-leg triumph. Nonetheless, coach Juande Ramos maintains that European success will have little bearing on the match at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán stadium. "European football is completely different to the derby due to the passion on the pitch and in the stands," he said. "We have to recover in time for Sunday."

Irureta ready
The fixture will provide a first taste of Seville's local squabble for new Betis coach Javier Irureta, who has been charged with raising the club's spirits following a 2005/06 campaign that started with a UEFA Champions League challenge but ended with a 14th-placed league finish. Coach Lorenzo Serra Ferrer subsequently resigned and star player Joaquín Sánchez moved to Valencia CF for €25m. An opening-day defeat by Joaquín's new side was not an ideal beginning, but Betis's 3-0 win against Athletic Club Bilbao last Sunday lifted morale. For Irureta, it was "a great way to prepare for the derby. We're playing well and we will stand up to Sevilla."

Brazilian accent
Much may depend on the rivals' respective Brazilians. Daniel Alves, Adriano Correia, Renato and Luis Fabiano - who is wrestling with a calf injury - hope to line up for the hosts while Marcos Assunção, Robert de Pinho, Jorge Wagner, Edu and Rafael Sobis are in the green-and-white camp. "I know there's a huge rivalry and I know we have to win to please the Betis fans despite Sevilla being a great team," said derby debutant Sobis. Sevilla are, however, certain to be without Uruguay striker Ernesto Chevantón, who is recovering from back trouble, although captain Javi Navarro and midfielder Enzo Maresca should swell the ranks despite sitting out the UEFA Cup tie in Greece.