Sevilla vs Malaga preview - Arribas has sights set on top four

Alejandro Arribas believes Sevilla are more determined than Malaga or any of their other rivals to finish in the top four this season.

Sevilla looked set to qualify for the Champions League last season, but a run of one win in their final four matches meant they had to settle for a place in the Europa League instead.

Despite losing captain Ivan Rakitic to Barcelona, Los Rojiblancos sit fourth in the table this year, just six points behind leaders Real Madrid.

But given that Valencia trail them by just one point, Arribas acknowledges Sevilla have to find the mental strength which eluded them last season.

"Our objective is to win this weekend and to secure fourth place at the end of the season," the Sevilla defender told a press conference.

"It's in our hands and I'm praying we can do it. There's no-one more motivated to do that than us.

"We are growing as a team with every win and that's fundamental."

Sevilla's home form has been key to their top-four push.

They are the only team in the Primera Division who are unbeaten at home and they have won six of their nine matches at the Sanchez Pizjuan.

Arribas hopes that will play into Sevilla's favour when neighbours Malaga make the short trip to the Andalusian capital on Sunday.

"We are very strong at home, with our fans" Arribas said.

"If Malaga are motivated then we will be more motivated.

"We are unbeaten and although Malaga are a tough team, they know whoever comes to our stadium will have to do very well to take three points off us.

"We have started 2015 well and we want that to continue."

Sevilla hammered Elche to progress to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday and they are unbeaten in their last nine matches.

Malaga, on the other hand, go into Sunday's game having just squeezed through to the last eight after a 4-3 aggregate win over Levante.

Malaga were 2-0 up in the second leg thanks to goals from Recio and Ricardo Horta, but Levante replied with three goals in the second half, much to Javi Gracia's disappointment.

The Malaga coach will be looking for more concentration and determination this weekend from his side, who are seventh in the table.

"It was all down to a lack of intensity and the way we relaxed," Gracia told a press conference.

"I don't like to lose, even more so when we were in a strong position, but we could have avoided what happened."