Preview: Elche vs. Sevilla - prediction, team news, lineups

Sevilla will look to continue their perfect start to the league season on Saturday, when they make the trip to take on Elche.

Back-to-back wins to start the campaign has seen Julen Lopetegui's men move to the summit of the La Liga table, while their opponents have collected just one point from their two games so far.

Match preview

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With two games of last season left to play, Elche looked to be condemned to relegation, but back-to-back victories saw them escape from the drop zone on the final day, preserving their top-flight status for another term.

They began the new campaign with a clash against an Athletic Bilbao side who they beat on the final day of last season, and again earned a commendable result as the two teams played out a goalless draw to get Elche immediately off the mark.

Fran Escriba's men then faced another tough test as they travelled to take on defending champions Atletico Madrid, with an Angel Correa goal making the difference in a 1-0 win for Los Colchoneros.

Despite only collecting one point, Los Franjiverdes can certainly take positives from their start to the season against two strong sides, but their schedule does not get any easier as they welcome Sevilla on Saturday.

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Sevilla come into the new campaign on the back of a strong season last time around, as they remained in the title picture until the final weeks, eventually finishing in fourth spot, 15 points ahead of fifth-placed Real Sociedad while only two points behind third-placed Barcelona and nine points from eventual champions Atletico Madrid.

That saw them earn Champions League football again for this season, after they reached the round of 16 last year, and Lopetegui will definitely bring his side into the new season with plenty of optimism, especially given their quick start.

Youssef En-Nesyri gave them an early lead from the penalty spot on the opening day against Rayo Vallecano, before Erik Lamela hit a second-half brace to seal an eye-catching 3-0 win.

Lamela starred again last time out as they made it back-to-back victories, with the new signing hitting a 93rd-minute winner away against Getafe after the game looked set to end goalless.

Boasting a perfect start after the first two matches, without conceding a goal, Lopetegui's men will be keen to extend their impressive run of form with a third straight win on Saturday.

Team News

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Elche come into the game with very few selection concerns, as Pablo Piatti may be the only player to miss out through injury.

Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Kiko Casilla has started both La Liga games since his summer arrival from Leeds United, and he will keep his place between the sticks after two impressive performances.

After a solid defensive display against Atletico Madrid, Escriba is unlikely to make any changes to his defence, although he could look to ignite a front line that is yet to score, with Guido Carillo and Tete Morente both options to bring into the starting XI.

Sevilla will likely come into the game without winger Lucas Ocampos and midfielder Oliver Torres, as both continue to recover from injuries.

They recently announced the signing of forward Rafa Mir, who starred for Huesca last season as they avoided the drop, but he faces the unenviable task of displacing Youssef En-Nesyri, who hit 18 La Liga goals last season while also finding the net six times in eight Champions League appearances.

Midfielder Thomas Delaney recently arrived from Borussia Dortmund and finds himself in a similar position behind Joan Jordan and Fernando, while fellow summer signing Erik Lamela should earn himself a start after hitting three goals in the first two La Liga games as a substitute.

Increasing links with Chelsea could see centre-back Jules Kounde kept out of the squad, although the French defender has already played impressively through the rumours, while the club are confident of keeping hold of the prospect, meaning Lopetegui may continue to deploy him.

Elche possible starting lineup:
Casilla; Palacios, Roco, Gonzalo, Bigas, Mojica; Guti, Marcone, Fidel; Boye, Carillo

Sevilla possible starting lineup:
Bono; Navas, Kounde, Carlos, Acuna; Fernando, Jordan; Suso, Gomez, Lamela; En-Nesyri

We say: Elche 0-1 Sevilla

Elche have shown themselves to be stubborn defensively with two impressive performances, but we see Sevilla finding a crucial goal to bag another three-point haul on Saturday.

Lopetegui's men look strong at both ends of the pitch and boast plenty of attacking talent, while they will likely dominate given Elche's struggles going forward.