Sevilla head to La Coruna to take on Deportivo La Coruna on Tuesday night. Sevilla's hopes of European qualification are in the balance as the Spanish side take on their La Liga rivals. Sevilla are just one point back of sixth place Villarreal but Vincenzo Montella's team desperately need points to move into the top six. Sevilla's Champions League campaign took a lot out of the side as the club is winless in its last five matches.
Deportivo have won two consecutive games, but until their recent stroke of good form, the club had struggled mightily. Deportivo have won just six matches all season, which is joint-third worst in the league. Only 32 goals have been scored by the Galician side and the club has recorded the second worst goal difference in La Liga (-33). Deportivo's defence has been in shambles through the term, conceding the most goals (65). Coach Clarence Seedorf has been unable to find a backline that can prevent goals.
Although Deportivo have won two straight matches, giving the side a glimmer of hope it can survive relegation, the defence was non-existent in both games. Deportivo gave up two goals in each match. Five points is all that separates the team from safety but getting three points against Sevilla won't be easy. Sevilla have had their own defensive problems in La Liga this season. Despite a run deep into the Champions League, Sevilla have conceded the fourth most goals in the Spanish top-flight (52). The club has posted a –11 goal difference.
Sevilla drew 2-2 against Europa League rivals Villarreal at the weekend. The team's strong effort should give Montella hope going up against one of La Liga's bottom three teams. Sevilla haven't lost a competitive game to Deportivo since 2010. In 12 meetings, Sevilla have won seven and drawn five games. The last time these two clubs met, Sevilla won 2-0 in December. However, Seedorf does have Deportivo playing well at the moment and the team is undefeated in five of its last six home fixtures.
Deportivo and Sevilla will give up goals on Tuesday night. The Riazor Stadium should see quite a few goals go in as neither team can defend very well. However, Sevilla's class and the team's push for European qualification for next term will see them defeat Deportivo. Seedorf's team will need to find points elsewhere, but with difficult games on the horizon, Deportivo could be on the way back to Segunda.