Sevilla come into this one off the back of a scrappy 2-1 friendly win over Ceuta, but that result flatters them. The Pizjuán crowd will be restless after a pre-season that has offered little in the way of rhythm or sharpness. Their recent league form has been patchy at best — losses at Celta, Osasuna, Levante and Real Oviedo tell you everything about their away-day woes, but even at home they've been far from convincing. They did beat Athletic 2-1 back in January, but that feels like a lifetime ago. This is a Sevilla side still searching for an identity, and the 4-2-3-1 shape they're expected to line up in hasn't clicked yet.

Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, are purring. Diego Simeone's men opened their league campaign with a statement win over Málaga at the Metropolitano, and the machine is already in full flow. Julián Álvarez and Ademola Lookman are forming a terrifying partnership up top, and the 3-5-2 system gives them both the freedom to roam and the cover to stay solid. The squad is deep, the mood is high, and Simeone has that glint in his eye that says trophies are coming. They travel to Seville with real momentum, and that's a dangerous thing for any host.