Europa League holders Sevilla start the title defence by hosting youthful Feyenoord side at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

The Dutch side are in problems following the home defeat to Willem II, but they, nonetheless, hope to surprise the reigning champions.

What looked like a very disappointing season turned into a huge success for Sevilla as los Rojblancos lifted the Europa League trophy while achieving a fifth-place finish in the league.

Once again, the club have stayed without several key players, but they have signed some very good replacements and in turn enjoyed a bright start to the new campaign.

Sevilla may have lost the UEFA Super Cup clash to Real Madrid, but they held Valencia to a 1-1 draw in the league before defeating Espanyol and Getafe.

Coach Unai Emery has been criticized for leaving star players Banega, Reyes, Deulofeu and M’Bia out of the side, but club chiefs are unlikely to be concerned as long as the results remain at a high level.

Said players could be given a chance to shine in the Europa League clash with Feyenoord, where Sevilla are 1.45 (9/20) favourites to claim maximum points.

Sergio Rico looks set to continue in goal as Beto and Mariano Barbosa are not yet ready to return, whereas Kevin Gameiro and Sebastian Cristoforo remain on the sidelines.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Rico – Figueras, Pareja, Carrico, Navarro – M’Bia, Krychowiak – Deulofeu, Banega, Reyes – Aspas.

Just like their next opposition, Feyenoord enjoyed quite an impressive season last term, finishing as runners up in Dutch Eredivisie to clinch Champions League qualification.

The club were, however, unable to keep hold of all star players as Graziano Pelle, Bruno Martins Indi, Daryl Janmaat and Stefan de Vrij all left, while the footballers that arrived as replacements were of much lower quality.

As a result, Fred Rutten’s charges were eliminated from the Champions League after losing both matches to Besiktas, but at least they qualified for Europa League group stages.

Meanwhile, their league campaign hasn’t gone as planned, with Feyenoord winless in last four matches and weekend’s defeat to Willem II a major blow to the players’ confidence.

The Dutch side are now 8.00 (7/1) to shock Sevilla at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, but that is clearly much easier said than done.

Lex Immers has failed to make the trip to Spain as he battles a hamstring problem, whilst new signing Colin Kazim-Richards is banned.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Vermeer – Wilkshire, van Beek, Mathijsen, Kongolo – Clasie, El Ahmadi, Vilhena – Schaken, te Vrede, Boetius.