Two points are all that separate Sevilla and Real Sociedad in the La Liga table heading into Friday night's fixture. Based on both clubs' current form, they would need a minor miracle to qualify for the Europa League next season.
Sevilla do have four games to rescue their campaign, but the southern Spanish side must start at home against Sociedad to get into the top six.
Following Sevilla's weekend loss to Levante, the club sacked manager Vincenzo Montella. The Italian boss had seen the team go winless in their last seven matches and Sevilla's board reacted by axing Montella. Joaquin Caparros has taken over for the remainder of the season. Caparros has managed a long list of football clubs, and most recently coached Qatar's Al Ahli Doha.
The Spanish manager does have familiarity with Sevilla as he managed the side nearly 15 years ago. Caparros has not only taken over for the last four games of the season, but the manager has stated he won't sign a contract or take any money for managing the team.
Sociedad, on the other hand, are playing decent football. The club is unbeaten in five of its last six matches. Despite losing two weeks ago to bottom side Malaga, 2-0, Sociedad rebounded at the weekend to defeat Athletic Bilbao, 3-1. Sociedad's away form has been the club's Achille's heel this term. Eusebio Sacristan's team has secured just 16 of a possible 51 points away from home. Although relegation is not a worry for Sociedad, Sacristan can think his squad's home form for positioning the club in midtable.
Sevilla are unbeaten in four of their last six home matches, and with Caparros now taking over at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, there is a chance the club can push on and finish well. Los Rojiblancos have suffered cup defeats in recent weeks and their failure to progress in the Champions league could be weighing on the players' minds.
In addition, Sevilla were destroyed in the Copa Del Rey final by Barcelona, 5-0, on April 21. The crushing defeat helped lead to Montella's dismissal. It can't be ignored that the Italian manager had lost the team, but with Caparros on the sidelines, there is a chance for rejuvenation.
Sevilla's remaining four matches will all take place in the city. Following their game against Sociedad, the club will play Real Madrid and Alaves at home to close the season. The only away game Sevilla must play is against Real Betis, who play their games down the street at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.
Caparros will get Sevilla back to winning ways. After the removal of Montella, Los Rojiblancos will improve under the veteran Spanish coach. A win against Sociedad should spark a bit of revival in Sevilla for the rest of the campaign.