Sevilla threaten AZ's perch

AZ Alkmaar will hope to cling on to pole position in Group C as UEFA Cup holders Sevilla FC strive to make it four games in the section without conceding a goal.

• AZ top the group on goals scored after a 3-0 win against SC Braga and a 5-2 victory at Grasshopper-Club preceded a 2-2 home draw against FC Slovan Liberec. Should they avoid defeat in Spain, they will finish top of the group.

• Sevilla have scored six goals in the group stage but conceded none. They drew their opener 0-0 at Liberec then saw off SC Braga 2-0 and thrashed Grasshoppers 4-0 in Zurich.

• The side finishing top of the section is guaranteed a tie against one of the third-placed finishers from another group in the draw for the Round of 32 on 15 December, while each pool runner-up will meet one of the third-placed finishers from the UEFA Champions League.

• The two sides have never met in European competition.

• Having spent four seasons as coach of FC Barcelona in the course of two separate spells, AZ coach Louis van Gaal knows plenty about Spanish football.

• Prior to being appointed Barcelona coach, he also boasted an impressive record against Spanish sides as coach of AFC Ajax. The Amsterdam club played eight games against Spanish opposition in European competition, winning six of them and drawing two.

• However, his record against Primera División sides was tarnished last season as AZ bowed out of the UEFA Cup in the Round of 32 3-2 aggregate to Real Betis Balompié.

• Sevilla's French defender Julien Escudé spent two-and-a-half campaigns at Ajax prior to joining the Spanish side midway through last season.

• Meanwhile, AZ midfielder Johannes Gudjónsson has played football in Seville before, having spent part of the 2001/02 and 2002/03 seasons with Sevilla’s neighbours Real Betis Balompié.

• Sevilla have never come up against Dutch opposition in European competition.

• AZ have played six games against Spanish sides in the course of three two-legged European ties.

• In total, they have won two of those games, drawn three and lost one.

• In Spain, they have won one, drawn one and lost one.

• Braga play Grasshoppers in Matchday 5's other Group C game.