Sevilla v Leicester: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Article summary
Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli has warned his side that Leicester can still "inflict damage" if given the chance, despite a run of domestic form that has plunged them into relegation trouble.
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Article body
- Sevilla, third in Liga, host relegation-threatened Premier League champions Leicester
- Sevilla have not reached last eight in Europe's top club competition since 1957/58
- Leicester have never made it to spring phase of any UEFA competition before
- Foxes have lost six of last eight fixtures in all competitions
- Get latest from Seville in our match blog
Possible line-ups
Sevilla: Rico; Mariano, Rami, Lenglet, Escudero; N'Zonzi, Iborra; Vitolo, Nasri, Jovetić; Ben Yedder.
Out: Gabriel Mercado (suspended), Trémoulinas (knee), Pareja (groin)
Misses next match if booked: Iborra, Pareja
Leicester: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Drinkwater, Mahrez, Ndidi, Gray; Okazaki, Vardy.
Out: Wague (shoulder), Slimani (glute)
Doubtful: Ulloa (thigh)
Misses next match if booked: Huth, Slimani
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
Jorge Sampaoli, Sevilla coach
I'm viewing this as a unique game, a chance to put ourselves among the best eight clubs in the world. Despite the difficulties Leicester are experiencing in the league, I know that if we don't impose ourselves and don't pay full attention they can easily inflict damage. Don't forget they won their Champions League group emphatically.
If we take risks and lose the ball then it needs to be in a part of the pitch where we know we can press and win it back quickly. Leicester are the kind of team I don't want to be allowed to go toe-to-toe with us because if it's an open, end-to-end game they can hurt us.
Claudio Ranieri, Leicester manager
Last year was marvellous; this season nothing has come off for us. I knew that there might be a hangover. I just didn't think it would be like this. We are serious, serious underdogs. But we are here and ready to play, ready to fight.
Jorge [Sampaoli] is a coach at the top of the elite bracket in his profession. He and Sevilla are having a great season. To take over from Unai Emery, to change the style a little but to stay high in the league and Europe is a great achievement. The fact they play his way, and can change system really quickly mid-game, is a huge compliment to his work.
Weekend results
Sevilla 2-0 Eibar (Sarabia 30, Vitolo 90+1)
Sevilla remain within three points of Liga leaders Real Madrid but were made to work. After a tough first half-hour, Sevilla went ahead when Pablo Sarabia volleyed in a cross from Stevan Jovetić, who also set up the clincher in added time for Vitolo.
Millwall 1-0 Leicester (Cummings 90)
Leicester were knocked out of the FA Cup by third-tier opposition to add to the shocks on a day when fifth-level Lincoln City beat Premier League Burnley. Millwall were reduced to ten men after Jake Cooper received a second booking in the 52nd minute, but a much-changed Leicester team were beaten late on.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Sevilla: WWDLWW
Leicester: LLWLLD
Reporter's view: Graham Hunter (@BumperGraham)
Champions of England versus a side that finished seventh in the Liga; Group G winners against the Group H runners-up who only squeezed into the knockout round on matchday six; one team with the disadvantage of playing at home first. On paper, Sevilla are distinct second favourites for this tie. Instead, though, Sampaoli's warnings will be about complacency. Sevilla are performing with real power and ambition this season, while Leicester are facing a relegation battle. Time for the Spanish side to step up to the plate.
Did you know?
Sevilla suffered their first home loss to English visitors when succumbing 3-1 to Manchester City in the 2015/16 UEFA Champions League group stage. Find out more in our extensive match background.