test2wa

La Liga

Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez has urged his team to continue improving as they face an unbeaten Real Mallorca.

Jimenez's side lost their Primera Division opener 2-0 at Valencia on August 30 but went on to win the next two - 5-1 at home to Real Zaragoza and then 2-0 at Osasuna on Saturday.

"After Valencia, the team have played well and it is our intention every time we play to get better," he said.

Gregorio Manzano's Mallorca head to Seville in fourth place in La Liga having collected seven points from their three games - one point and two positions better off than their hosts.

Jimenez, therefore, expects his side to have a battle on their hands to extend their winning run.

"(Mallorca) is a team that has caused Sevilla difficulties in recent years and also this year are on a roll with a great coach like Manzano," he said.

"We usually aim to cause teams difficulties, so we must try to control the game from the first minute."

Jimenez will be without Federico Fazio, Aldo Duscher and Tom de Mul tomorrow due to injury.

The coach added: "I will not talk yet of the team, because I want the players to recover 100%, although our way of playing has to always be the same.

"When the matches are so close together it does not give much time for anything and seems to take a lot out of us."

Of Fazio's injury, Jiminez added: "There is a risk factor in professional football.You can have a sprained ankle which is not related to the previous injury, but the fact it is the same ankle is a little concerning because his ankle is less strong.

"But the doctor is optimistic. He says there is nothing he can do, but the psychological aspect is also important."

Mallorca boss Manzano insists his team, despite being above their hosts in the standings, will be the underdogs tomorrow night.

"Sevilla are the favourites. In a game like this we can say we have nothing to lose," he said.

"They have a great attack. It will be very important to close them down in the midfield area.

"What is clear is that we should not be fearful, but cautious. If we can win in Seville and then against Real Valladolid at the weekend it would give us the opportunity to be near the top and closer to our main objective."

Manzano plans to tinker with the starting line-up which trounced Tenerife 4-0 in the Primera Division on Saturday.

"There will be between three and five changes from the previous game," he said. "Marti and (Fernando) Varela are among the possible options."