Sevilla vs HNK Rijeka preview - Holders bid to avoid early exit

Posted Wednesday, December 10, 2014 by PA

Sevilla must avoid defeat on Thursday against Croatian side HNK Rijeka to keep their Europa League title defence alive.

The Spanish outfit stand second in Group G, one point clear of third-placed Rijeka and one adrift of leaders Feyenoord heading into their final pool match at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium.

"We need to give an extra effort as we want to end 2014 in the best possible way," Sevilla coach Unai Emery told Spanish newspaper Marca. "We have a great ally in order to achieve our aim, that is the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium."

Sevilla, who end the year against Eibar this weekend in the Primera Division, have not lost at home all season while they have won all four European games in Seville so far.

They head into Thursday's match in buoyant mood with Sunday's 1-0 triumph at Rayo Vallecano, their third straight league win, lifting the Andalucian outfit to fourth in the Primera Division.

"This is our last week and it's a key week for us," Emery said. "We are looking forward to our last two games with a lot of enthusiasm.

"We need to be united to achieve important things."

Rijeka held Sevilla to a 2-2 draw earlier this season but must take three points in Spain if they are to progress to the knock-out rounds.

Matjaz Kev's side have lost their two Europa League games on the road and go into the contest on the back of Saturday's 3-0 defeat at league leaders Dinamo Zagreb.

Rijeka's third defeat of the campaign left them in second place, seven points behind Dinamo in the Croatian league.

The visitors are without injured forward Ivan Krstanovic.

Sevilla will be able to call on Polish midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiakb , who sustained a knock at the weekend.

Colombia international Carlos Bacca, who scored his 10th goal of the season in Vallecas on Sunday to hand his side three valuable points, will lead Sevilla's attack on Thursday.