Sevilla vs Barcelona, La Liga: Preview, betting odds & possible XI

Barcelona will be out to reclaim the top spot in the La Liga standings when they travel to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium to face struggling Sevilla on 3 October.

Overview

Sevilla finally secured their first La Liga win of the season against Rayo Vallecano on 26 September to climb out of the relegation zone. The optimism generated by that result evaporated in midweek, however, when the Europa League holders were beaten 2-0 by Juventus in the Champions League.

Sevilla have already faced Barcelona this season, losing 5-4 in extra-time in the Uefa Super Cup in Tbilisi, Georgia, in August. Midfielder Vitolo (hamstring) and striker Fernando Llorente (leg) could both return from injuries for the home side, but Beto, Daniel Carrico, Nicolas Parejo, Gael Kakuta, Adil Rami, Ever Banega and Sergio Escudero are all sidelined.

Barcelona have injury problems of their own, not the least of which is the loss of Lionel Messi through a knee problem. Luis Enrique's side showed admirable character in coming from behind to beat Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League in the absence of the talismanic Argentine.

Andres Iniesta picked up a hamstring problem in the Bayer match and is likely to be rested against Sevilla, but goalkeeper Claudio Bravo (calf) has returned to training and could start.

What managers say

Unai Emery: "We have to look forward. It's a learning experience and we have to draw conclusions so we can improve. Because the feeling is that the team has not improved enough and we need to be capable of doing more in attack. We want to sort out our position in the standings and what better chance than against a Barca side who will challenge us."

Luis Enrique: "This team runs and goes all out every game. My players deserve a huge amount of credit for turning around a very difficult situation [against Bayer Leverkusen]. The team's faith was indestructible."

Form guide

Sevilla (all competitions): LWLLW

Last result: Juventus 2-0 Sevilla (Champions League)

Barcelona (all competitions): WWLWD

Last result: Barcelona 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen (Champions League)

Betting odds (888sport)

Sevilla win: 3

Draw: 13/5

Barcelona win: 11/12

Team news

Sevilla possible XI: Rico; Coke, Andreolli, Kolodziejczak, Tremoulinas; N'Zonzi, Krychowiak; Reyes, Iborra, Krohn-Dehli; Gameiro

Barcelona possible XI: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Roberto; Munir, Suarez, Neymar