Matchday 3 - Featured Preview: Malaga vs Sevilla

The Rosaleda will be full on Sunday night for the first big Andalusian derby of the season between Malaga and Sevilla. What with the Champions League play-off exit, the failure to score at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan so far and Thursday's Europa League defeat to PSG, Antonio Alvarez is feeling the pressure early on in the campaign and there is a rumour that a derby defeat here would spell the end of his tenure at Sevilla. Malaga, meanwhile, are going through a transitional period as they look to build a new team under Jesualdo Ferreira. They are scoring plenty of goals and conceding nearly as many at the moment, which could suggest that we are in for an exciting spectacle here.

MALAGA

Player to Watch: Juanmi

Malaga's 3-5 win over Real Zaragoza last Sunday was one of the strangest matches you could ever wish to see. Jesualdo Ferreira's team were five nil up after thirty-four minutes at the Romareda before they took their foot off the gas. Zaragoza proceeded to notch three goals in reply as they tried to fight their way back into the game but the damage was already done. Malaga displayed some devastating attacking instincts and effective counter-attacking play in the first half but their five goals had more to do with Zaragoza's poor defending than anything else. Sevilla's back four, with far more experience in this league than Zaragoza's, will surely be less inviting. Malaga are 10th with two games played but it is far too early to get a good reading on how they are going to perform over the course of the season.

Besides their opponent's weakness there were plenty of positives for Jesualdo Ferreira on matchday three and none were as emphatic as the exciting performance and two goals from 17-year-old Juanmi up front. Hopefully that showing will convince Ferreira to start the teenager again in the crunch Andalusian derby on Sunday against Sevilla. Portuguese forward Edinho picked up a knock this week but he has been named in the squad for Sunday's game so he could partner Juanmi again, forcing Albert Luque, Nabil Baha and Jose Rondon to watch on from the bench. Duda, Manolo Gaspar, Javier Malagueno, Sebastian Fernandez, Helder Rosario, and now Juanito are all injured so they will not figure. Juanito is the latest name to come out of the squad but the impact will be minimal as Sandro Silva and Antonio Apono have both been given the all-clear by the club doctors this week, so either could come in next to Fernando in central midfield. Young defensive stalwart Ivan Gonzalez has also passed a fitness test so he is likely to re-join Weligton, Patrick Mtiliga and Jesus Gamez at the back. Duda is still a big miss for the Andalusian side but the fine form being exhibited by Quincy Owusu-Abeyie is papering over the cracks for now. I expect he, Antonio Apono, Fernando and Eliseu will start across the midfield. 

Possible starting XI: (4-4-2) Rodrigo Galatto; Jesus Gamez, Ivan Gonzalez, Weligton, Patrick Mtiliga; Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Antonio Apono, Fernando, Eliseu; Juanmi, Edinho;

SEVILLA

Player to Watch: Diego Perotti

Sevilla's wretched form at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan dragged on this week as they fell to an embarrassing 0-1 defeat to French side Paris Saint-Germain in the Europa League. The restlessness in the stands is palpable and it is beginning to be felt by the players, who showed a general lack of confidence on the pitch on Thursday. The fans' frustration is quite understandable after a crushing defeat to Sporting Braga, which saw Sevilla knocked out of the Champions League play-off, a goalless draw with Deportivo La Coruna and now this latest horror show. It will surely be a relief for Antonio Alvarez that he takes his side away from home on Sunday, although it is only a short trip down to Malaga's Rosaleda. Sevilla are usually favourites in this derby - they won the corresponding fixture 1-2 last season - but their lack of confidence coupled with Malaga's soaring spirits after knocking five past Real Zaragoza last weekend make this encounter an intriguing prospect. 

What will also even up the tie is a short term injury crisis of sorts in Seville. Alvarez was already missing supporting defenders Federico Fazio and Ivica Dragutinovic and skillful midfielder Renato but the Europa League defeat cost the squad physically as well as psychologically as regular right back Abdoulay Konko and key players Jesus Navas and Luis Fabiano have also been ruled out for Sunday's game. The manager has responded by calling in Lautaro Acosta and Romaric into the squad for the first time in 2010-11 but both will start on the bench. The only really positive is the return of Julien Escude, who served a European suspension on Thursday, who will come back in at centre back next to either Martin Caceres or Alexis Ruano. Fernando Navarro and Mouhamadou Dabo should complete the back line in front of Andres Palop, while there will be at least one change in midfield to replace crocked international Navas. Diego Capel would be the obvious choice on the wing but Jose Carlos is improving all the time and also has a case for inclusion next to Luca Cigarini, Didier Zokora and Diego Perotti. Perotti was phenomenal last weekend, dancing down the left flank and setting up countless chances against Deportivo that his forwards were unable to finish. With Navas and Fabiano out, he could be the key to unlocking Malaga's defence. Alvaro Negredo and Fredi Kanoute will complete the line-up in attack if, as expected, Alvarez sticks with the 4-4-2 formation.

Possible starting XI: (4-4-2) Andres Palop; Fernando Navarro, Julien Escude, Martin Caceres, Mouhamadou Dabo; Diego Perotti, Luca Cigarini, Didier Zokora, Diego Capel; Alvaro Negredo, Fredi Kanoute;