Sevilla were dealt a lifeline in last week's first leg when Colombian striker Carlos Bacca scored in stoppage time to make the final score 3-1 to Espanyol. At 3-0 Sevilla needed to score at least three to tie and if Espanyol got an away goal they would have needed five to progress but Bacca’s goal means a 2-0 Sevilla win would see Unai Emery’s side reach the last four.
Espanyol were worthy winners last week thanks to goals for Felipe Caicedo, Sergio Garcia and Lucas Vazquez and although they will be downhearted about how it ended they still hold a great advantage in the tie.
Espanyol’s good form hasn’t just been in the Copa as they have won their last four games in all competitions with Sergio Garcia, Felipe Caicedo and Christian Stuani playing well for Los Periquitos.
Sevilla come into this game having lost two in a row after a run of nine wins and a draw in the ten games prior to last weeks loss in the first leg. They followed that defeat with a disappointing loss to Valencia in a game many built up as a key battle in the race for a place in next year's Champions League.
These sides meet again on Sunday in La Liga and Espanyol will stay in Andalusia after this game until next Monday. They have took a squad of twenty players with them for the two games with the only noticeable absentee being Eric Bailly who is on international duty but is also likely to move to Villarreal before the transfer deadline.
Sevilla have delayed naming their squad until tomorrow but Nico Pareja looks likely to play after taking part in Wednesday's training session but it is thought Grzegorz Krychowiak, Benoit Tremoulinas, Jose Antonio Reyes and Stephane M'bia will miss out.
Carlos Bacca's goal has made this game a lot more interesting but Sevilla still face a huge task to overcome in form Espanyol. A clean sheet will be important for Emery's side but barring disaster Espanyol will feel confident they can do enough to reach the last four.