Hoping to cement a top 4 berth and place extra pressure on third-placed Atletico Madrid, Sevilla face a must-win game on Friday.

Their opponents Real Sociedad could also keep slim hopes of securing a Champions League berth alive by winning at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

While they performed at a very high level for large periods of the current campaign, the poor finish of the season means Sevilla cannot be completely satisfied with the outcome.

Los Rojiblancos missed an excellent opportunity to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, while they slipped to fourth in the La Liga standings, with their top 4 place now in danger as well.

It is clear that Jorge Sampaoli’s side have been running on empty over the last couple of months in spite of the sensible rotation policy, although they did show some improvement in recent weeks.

A four-match unbeaten run (W3 D1) though came to an end last weekend as Sevilla were beaten by Malaga and they are now 1.80 (4/5) to defeat Real Sociedad.

Jorge Sampaoli has received a welcoming boost as key men Vitolo and Samir Nasri resumed full training, but Mariano and Joaquin Correa miss out through injury and suspension respectively.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Rico – Mercado, Pareja, Lenglet, Escudero – N’Zonzi, Nasri – Vitolo, Jovetic, Sarabia – Ben Yedder.

Real Sociedad have enjoyed a very successful campaign this term, but it looks as though they could nonetheless miss out on European qualification.

La Real currently occupy seventh position in the overall standings, one and two points adrift of Athletic Club and Villarreal, while they are seven points behind fourth-placed Sevilla.

Real Sociedad have been in very good form of late, defeating Deportivo La Coruna, Valencia and Granada in their last three fixtures, so they have reason for optimism ahead of the trip to Andalucia.

The 3-2 triumph over Valencia at Mestalla ended a three-match losing run on the road, with La Real now searching for 10th away win of the campaign.

Key men Inigo Martinez and Willian Jose are rated doubtful as they have yet to join the squad, but Carlos Martinez continues to miss out.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Rulli – Zaldua, Navarro, M. Gonzalez, Yuri – Prieto, Illarramendi, Zurutuza – Vela, Juanmi, Oyarzabal.