Jimenez Faces Selection Headache

Sevilla have managed to drag themselves out of their mini-slump by recording three wins on the bounce in all competitions, which has pushed The Sevillistas back into title contention.

Saturday's clash will be a huge test of both sides title credentials, with Los Che suffering some untimely losses themselves, but Jimenez has been faced with a number of players facing a race against to time to be fit.

Defenders Abdoulay Konko, Julien Escude, Jose Angel Crespo and Ivica Dragutinovic all have minor concerns and have been absent from training during this week. This leaves only four fit defenders at the club to face the attacking prowess of David Villa and Juan Mata.

Sevilla are about to enter into a crucial run of fixtures that could make or break their season. In their next five matches they face Valencia, followed by Barcelona, Real Madrid and Villarreal in consecutive weeks. Sandwiched in between they have a vital UEFA cup clash against Partizan Belgrade, a fixture which has taken on more importance due to their defeat against Standard Liege in the opening group match.

As a result, Jimenez will be torn between fielding a weakened side and preserving his injured stars, or else risk putting them into action when not fully recovered.

The corresponding fixture last season at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan finished in a convincing 3-0 win for the home side, with Frederic Kanoute, Christian Poulsen and Luis Fabiano picking up the goals.

Paul Macdonald