Match Previews

Osasuna seek to protect a 1-0 first leg lead without the suspended Soldado (k)(att)... Strong squad available; some players were rested at the weekend but should take part here... 4-1-4-1 possible with only two strikers in the squad... Osasuna fielded a rotated squad but were still the better side in La Liga at the weekend; unfortunately, they ended up drawing 2-2 with Real Zaragoza and once again rued missed chances. Here, they'll have a stronger squad available, but will face a stern test in Sevilla. The Pamplonans utterly overran the rojiblancos in the first leg, but Sevilla were very poor, and Osasuna will have to bank on them being a better side here. Soldado (k) is out; with just Webo (r) and Milosevic (r) selected as strikers, the Pamplonans may opt to preserve their lead by having just one up front, probably the former, who is judged to be more suited to the role, whereas Savo plays best with a partner. If this is the case, Nekounam (r), recovered from injury, could slot in as a defensive midfielder. Juanfran (k) was rested from the first XI at the weekend and should play on the right, while Punal (r) and the perhaps-departing Raul Garcia (r) form a good pairing in the middle. The captain has stated that set-pieces may be the Pamplonans' best chance of victory; man-of-the-match in the first leg David Lopez (r) on the left could prove invaluable for that very reason, as was shown previously. Only one of the four regular defenders took part at the weekend, but the four typical stoppers are all in the squad, so Cuellar (r) could be joined by Cruchaga (r), Izquierdo (r) and Corrales (r) in an attempt to hold Sevilla at bay. This is a stern test, but Osasuna have been excellent in Europe this season, if not in the league, and they should go out here with confidence.