Europa League holders edged closer to defending the coveted trophy with a hard-fought victory over Zenit, and they now aim to prove why Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan is considered a genuine fortress by beating Fiorentina.

Viola have been far from impressive of late, but they hope to extend the good European run with a positive result in Spain.

Sevilla have come a long way since Unai Emery took over the reigns, winning the Europa League trophy and becoming a real force to be reckoned with in Spanish La Liga.

However, los Rojiblancos have yet to secure Champions League qualification, and weekend’s loss to Real Madrid, their first at home this season, means catching fourth-placed Valencia should prove a very difficult task.

This is enough to suggest that winning another Europa League trophy is team’s best chance of playing Champions League football next term, so bear in mind Sevilla are 1.73 (8/11) to make it to the final.

Los Rojiblancos suffered the first home defeat of the campaign at the weekend as they lost 3-2 to Real Madrid, but they have won last eight EL matches at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

First choice keeper Beto should return from a shoulder injury, while midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak is also available for selection.

Argentine defender Nicolas Pareja has been ruled out for the season and Timothee Kolodziejczak will continue to deputize.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Rico – Coke, Carrico, Kolodziejczak, Tremoulinas – Krychowiak, M’Bia – Vitolo, Banega, Reyes – Bacca.

This is proving to be quite a difficult season for Fiorentina, although Vincenzo Montella’s charges still have time to turn things around.

Viola narrowly missed out on a place in the Coppa Italia final, and the 3-0 home loss to arch rivals Juventus clearly acted as a major blow to the confidence.

As a result, Fiorentina went on to lose four straight league fixtures before finally ending the barren run by defeating Cesena last weekend.

The good news is that Viola at least secured progress into the Europa League semis by eliminating Dynamo Kiev, but they will have bigger fish to fry on Thursday.

And with Sevilla virtually impossible to beat at home, it is hardly surprising that away win pays 4.80 (19/5) with Sportingbet.

In an attempt to improve the atmosphere in the squad, Vincenzo Montella has taken all his players apart from the injured Giuseppe Rossi and Khouma Babacar to Seville.

However, it is important to note that the likes of Alberto Gilardino, Alessandro Diamanti, Jasmin Kurtic, Aleandro Rosi and Antonio Rosati are ineligible.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Neto – Tomovic, Savic, Rodriguez, Alonso – Valero, Pizarro, Fernandez – Joaquin, Gomez, Salah.