Sevilla vs Athletic Bilbao
Sevilla
Athletic Bilbao
vs
Sunday 28th February 2010
Venue: Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan
Kick-off: 18:00
Score: 0 - 0
Fabiano sidelined for Sevilla
Luis Fabiano misses out through injury as fourth-placed Sevilla host Athletic Bilbao at the Sanchez Pizjuan in the 25th round of the Primera Division.
The Brazil forward has been struggling with a chest problem and has returned to his homeland for treatment.
The striker, who also missed the midweek Champions League draw at CSKA Moscow, has sought attention from the Brazilian national team doctors and hopes to find a speedy solution to the problem.
He will miss Sunday's match against Athletic, along with injured duo Sebastien Squillaci and Tom De Mul.
Meanwhile, Sergio Sanchez is undergoing further tests on his heart problem and the former Espanyol defender remains out of action indefinitely.
Didier Zokora misses out through suspension following his sending-off against Mallorca last weekend, but Diego Capel could return and Abdoulay Konko is also fit again.
Sevilla became the first side to win at Mallorca in the league this season, following last weekend's 3-1 success at the Ono Estadi.
That win left the Andalusians well-positioned in fourth, four points clear of fifth-placed Deportivo La Coruna.
And coach Manolo Jimenez hopes his side can consolidate that position with a win against Athletic.
"You always get a tough match against Athletic, but we are at home and we need to build on our recent improvement," he said.
Sevilla are still in a good position in this season's Champions League, having drawn 1-1 in Moscow earlier this week in the first leg of the teams' last 16 tie.
The home side, who recently sealed a place in the final of the Copa del Rey, will therefore be expected to advance to the semi-finals of Europe's premier club competition.
Athletic saw their own European dream fizzle out in miserable circumstances on Thursday night.
The Basques had drawn 1-1 at home to Anderlecht in the last 32 of the Europa League, but crashed out of the competition after they were thrashed 4-0 in the return leg on Thursday.
Coach Joaquin Caparros was hugely disappointed by that loss, but hopes his side can now put that defeat behind them.
"It was extremely disappointing, but it has gone now and we have to move on - we have a big match on Sunday and we have to move on," he said.
Caparros will be without injured duo Iker Muniain and Koikili Lertxundi, and has surprisingly left out Fran Yeste from his squad.
Long-term absentees Aitor Ocio and Inaki Munoz are both set to miss out again through injury.
Despite their disappointing Europa League exit, Athletic remain in a strong position in the league.
The Basques are currently in seventh spot, just a point behind sixth-placed Mallorca.
Athletic thrashed Tenerife 4-1 at San Mames a week ago in their last league match.
Meanwhile, the club have been fined 7,250 euros following the ugly scenes on the pitch which followed the recent 1-1 draw at home to Anderlecht.
