La Liga Preview: Sevilla - Real Zaragoza

Sevilla will be looking to put their opening day defeat behind them...

Sep 11, 2009 3:49:33 PM

More On :  Sevilla, Zaragoza, Sevilla vs Zaragoza
Sevilla (Peace Cup)
Kick-Off: Saturday, September 12, 22:00 CET
Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Seville

Point To Prove

There is no question now that Sevilla should be considered as one of Spain's major players, but until they make Europe sit up and take notice then they may remain off the radar.
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Finishing third last term was their sixth consecutive season in the top six to add to triumphs in the UEFA Cup and the Copa del Rey, but they are still seen largely as outsiders.

Engineered, so many claim, by sporting director Monchi, the Andalucian outfit consistently belie their expenditure and financial clout by producing teams that take on and compete with the big boys.

Perhaps their one failure though is to make a concerted push for the domestic title because while Barcelona and Real Madrid continue being the only ones at the top, the next few teams are all grouped together.

This season could be the campaign that finally sees Sevilla do just that however as they have had another successful summer in the transfer market.

Keeping Luis Fabiano while adding Real Madrid's Alvaro Negredo was a huge achievement and adding the likes of Didier Zokora to a strong midfield gives coach Manolo Jimenez many more options.

Bouncing Back

The visitors for this encounter are also seen as a traditionally big club, but a lack of guidance and proper investment in the squad has seen them drop away.

Real Zaragoza are back in the top flight after a season in the second tier, that came at a time when many were predicting that the club would build on their relative success.

In 2006-07, Los Manos finished sixth and qualified for the UEFA Cup, but defeat in the first round of the competition was a sign of what was to come.

A dreadful run ended with relegation two seasons ago and meant that the club had to reshuffle their squad and allow some big names to leave in order to keep the team on an even keel.

While such stars as Diego Milito and Ricardo Oliveira left, Roberto Ayala, Francisco Pavon, Carlos Diogo, Peter Luccin and Ewerthon all stayed and helped the club to make an immediate return.

A home win in the opening encounter against Tenerife was an encouraging start even if it was not an outstanding display, but taking anything from a team that Zaragoza should look to emulate certainly would.


RECENT FORM

Sevilla

Aug 30 A 0-2 Valencia
Aug 21 H 2-1 Xerez
Aug 15 N 1-0 Deportivo
Aug 14 N 2-0 Valencia
Aug   8 A 0-1 Palermo

Real Zaragoza

Aug 29 H 0-0 Tenerife
Aug 22 A 0-2 Getafe
Aug 16 A 2-2 Numancia
Aug 11 A 2-0 VfB Stuttgart
Aug   8 N 2-4 Real Betis


TEAM NEWS

Sevilla

Frederic Kanoute is unable to play due to suspension and that should see Alvaro Negredo make his first official start for the team. The club's other international stars returned from their respective country's squads unscathed as Didier Zokora and Diego Capel are both fit to play, while Luis Fabiano has recovered from a slight knock and is in the squad.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Palop; Konko, Squillaci, Escude, Navarro; Romaric, Zokora, Capel, Navas; Fabiano, Negredo.

Real Zaragoza

Jermaine Pennant returned to training with the rest of the squad on Thursday after working alone for the previous few days and he should be in line to play. Argentinian goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo and Colombian Abel Aguilar are both doubtful after long-haul journeys back from international duty in South America.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Carrizo; Laguardia, Ayala, Amo, Ponzio; Gabi, Aguilar, Pennant, Lopez; Arizmendi, Uche.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sevilla

Alvaro Negredo will be keen to make a good first impression in front of the club's supporters and he will know that if he can score and create then Frederic Kanoute will have a job to make it back into the team the week after.

Real Zaragoza

Having been a surprise signing during the summer Jermaine Pennant has a lot to prove as he hopes to become the success in Spain that he wanted to be at Liverpool, but was unable to.


PREDICTION

Home advantage could be telling and last week's result is nothing to go by for Sevilla as they were more than holding their own against Valencia before Kanoute was sent off. Zaragoza will look to play on the break and could sneak a draw, but the hosts should just have too much for them.

Sevilla 3-1 Real Zaragoza

Lucas Brown, Goal.com
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