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Preview: Atletico Madrid vs. Sevilla

Preview: Atletico Madrid vs. Sevilla
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Sports Mole previews the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final between Atletico Madrid and Sevilla on Thursday.

Atletico Madrid welcome Sevilla to the Vicente Calderon on Thursday in the first leg of their semi-final in the Copa del Rey.

Atletico have enjoyed an impressive season thus far, taking a total of 47 points from 21 matches to sit second in the La Liga table, four points ahead of capital rivals Real Madrid.

They enter the match having failed to win in their last two matches, however, with a 3-0 defeat away to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday their most disappointing result of the season.

Sevilla, meanwhile, have lost just one of their last five matches in all competitions having overcome early struggles, but they still sit nine points off a Champions League position in 11th place in the table.

The two sides have already met in the league this season, with Atletico recording a 4-0 win on their own turf. However, three of the last four matches between the pair have ended in a draw.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone still has concerns over the fitness of Radamel Falcao, with the Colombian expected to return to the bench, rather than the starting side.

Adrian Lopez could come in for a rare start alongside Diego Costa, while Miranda and Mario Suarez are both expected to start having missed the weekend defeat against Athletic Bilbao.

Sevilla, meanwhile, are expected to name the same side that beat Granada at the weekend. First-choice goalkeeper Andres Palop could return, but Julian Cuesta is on standby having impressed last time out.

Recent form:

Atletico Madrid: WWWDL
Sevilla: LDDWW

Possible lineups:

Atletico Madrid: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Luis; Suarez, Tiago, Garcia, Turan; Costa, Adrian

Sevilla: Cuesta; Navarro, Spahic, Fazio, Cicinho; Kondogbia, Rakitic, Medel; Navas, Negredo, Reyes

Sports Mole says: 2-0


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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves134181422-813
17Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179
20Valencia11146817-97


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