Ukrainian outfit Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk will attempt to stop Sevilla winning back-to-back Europa League titles when the pair meet in the conclusion of the tournament in Warsaw on Wednesday evening.
The title itself is of huge importance to both teams, but the fact that the victor will gain an automatic spot in next season's Champions League is another major incentive.
Dnipro
© Getty Images
It would be fair to say that Dnipro are novices at this level of football. Not many predicted the Ukrainian side to cause waves in this competition and they are in the final of a European tournament for the first time in their history. They did reach the quarter-finals of the European Cup in 1985 and 1990, but have struggled to make their mark in the European game since then.
They were runners-up in last season's Ukrainian top flight, but they have only twice won the top prize in their country – the last of which came in the 1987-88 season. Dnipro actually started their European campaign this season in the third qualifying round of the Champions League, meaning that they have had the longest journey to the final – 18 games compared to Sevilla's 14.
In terms of their route to this stage of the competition, Dnipro finished second in Group F behind Inter Milan despite taking just seven points from their six games. That brought a last-32 clash with Olympiacos and the Ukrainian outfit won 4-2 on aggregate before seeing off Ajax on away goals in the round of 16.
Club Brugge provided tricky opposition in the quarter-finals, but again progression was secured with a 1-0 victory. Napoli had been seen as the favourites for some time, but Dnipro showed their mettle by claiming a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Italy, before winning the reverse 1-0 – booking their spot in the final in the process.
Dnipro's solidity at the back has been lauded in recent months and they have not lost in their last four away games in this competition, which shows their ability to grind out results. That said, unlike Sevilla, Dnipro have not yet finished their league season and have an important game against Hoverla on May 30.
As it stands, Dnipro sit third in the Ukrainian Premier League having collected 53 points from their 25 games. They are nine points behind the confirmed champions Dynamo Kiev, but only two points behind second-placed Shakhtar Donetsk following a 3-2 win over their rivals at the weekend.
Dnipro are far from a powerhouse in the European game, but have claimed a number of scalps this season and will be keen to show their credentials in what could be a defining game in the club's history.
Recent form: WLDWDW
Recent form (all competitions): DLWLDW
Sevilla
© Getty Images
Dnipro might not have much experience in this competition, but Sevilla have plenty. The Spanish side are looking for back-to-back Europa Leagues having overcome Benfica in the final last season. In total, the La Liga team have tasted success in this competition on three occasions and will enter as the favourites to triumph.
No team in this season's Europa League has won more games than Sevilla (10), while Unai Emery's team have incredibly lost just once in the competition this term. In terms of their progression to this stage, Sevilla collected 11 points from their six Group G matches – finishing second behind Dutch outfit Feyenoord.
A runners-up spot pitted Sevilla against Borussia Monchengladbach and Emery's side qualified for the final 16 with a 4-2 aggregate victory. Next came Villarreal, who were dispatched 5-2 in extremely comfortable fashion. Zenit St Petersburg and Fiorentina then stood in Sevilla's way, but neither could stop the Spanish side progressing, with an incredible 5-0 aggregate victory over Fiorentina booking their spot in another final.
Sevilla have never faced Dnipro in a competitive match, but the Spanish side are unbeaten in four meetings with Ukrainian opposition – recording three wins in the process. Emery's side will also enter the final without any other distractions having concluded their league campaign away to Malaga at the weekend.
Sevilla came close to securing fourth position in La Liga ahead of Valencia as they won 3-2 at La Rosaleda on Saturday, but Valencia came from behind to beat Almeria and take the final Champions League spot. As a result, Sevilla finished fifth – one point off Valencia and just two points behind last season's Spanish champions Atletico Madrid.
Sevilla's recent form has also been excellent having lost just one of their last 21 games in all competitions, which is extraordinary for a team fighting at both home and abroad. They missed out on a Champions League position via the league, but have the chance to secure a position in Warsaw on Wednesday.
Recent form: WWWDWW
Recent form (all competitions): LWDWWW
Team News
© Getty Images
Dnipro boss Myron Markevych rung the changes for his team's league game at the weekend, but is expected to recall a number of familiar faces for this one. Yevhen Shakhov has emerged as an injury doubt, but the likes of Yevhen Konoplyanka and Ruslan Rotan should both return to the team.
Former Blackburn Rovers striker Nikola Kalinic will be pushing for inclusion in attack, but the striking role is expected to go to Yevhen Seleznyov, who has scored twice in the Europa League this season.
Serhiy Kravchenko and Roman Zozulya, however, are still both injured.
Sevilla boss Emery, meanwhile, will be without goalkeeper Beto and defender Nicolas Pareja through injury, but the Spaniard otherwise has a full complement of players to choose from.
Once again the big decision will come in attack, with Kevin Gameiro battling for the striking position with leading scorer Carlos Bacca, who has had another impressive season.
Stephane Mbia and Grzegorz Krychowiak should form the base of the midfield, with Ever Banega giving licence to break forward. The skipper Coke is also expected to start, meaning a forward position for the in-form Aleix Vidal.
Dnipro possible starting lineup:
Boyko; Matos, Cheberyachko, Douglas, Fedetskiy; Fedorchuk, Kankava; Konoplyanka, Rotan, Luchkevych; Seleznyov
Sevilla possible starting lineup:
Rico; Coke, Carrico, Kolo, Tremoulinas; Krychowiak, Mbia; Vidal, Banega, Vitolo; Bacca
Head To Head
As mentioned, Wednesday's meeting in Warsaw will be the first time that the two teams have clashed.
What's more, Dnipro have only ever faced Spanish opposition once and that occurred in the group stages of the 2004-05 UEFA Cup, where they lost 2-1 to Real Zaragoza.
This will also be just the second time that a European final has been contested between Spanish and Ukrainian teams. That occurred in 1986 when Dynamo Kiev beat Atletico Madrid in the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup.
We say: Dnipro 1-2 Sevilla
It would not be a surprise if this game went to extra-time and possibly beyond, but it is difficult to see Sevilla not scoring at the moment such is their incredible form.
The game might well be tight for long spells, but when the play settles, Sevilla should see more of the ball and ultimately claim their fourth European trophy courtesy of a narrow victory.
No Data Analysis info
