Barcelona vs Sevilla. Spanish La Liga.
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Wednesday 5 April 2017 19:07, UK
Lionel Messi is set to return from suspension when Barcelona host Sevilla in La Liga on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports 3 HD from 6pm.
The forward, who missed Barca's 4-1 victory over Granada due to a one-match ban, boasts an excellent record against Jorge Sampaoli's side.
Messi has scored six goals in Sevilla's last four visits to the Nou Camp and has 21 career league goals against the Andalusians.
Barca, who sit two points behind league leaders Real Madrid having played a game more, face a pivotal stretch of fixtures over the next few weeks.
As well as Sevilla, they also take on Juventus in their Champions League quarter-final, Malaga and fifth-place Real Sociedad in the league, and Real Madrid in the Clasico.
The prospect of a visit from Sampaoli's side looks slightly less daunting for Barca after a disappointing run of results in March dropped them from title contention.
Despite recording just one win in their last six games in all competitions, Luis Enrique warned his team not to underestimate Wednesday's opponents.
"Form does not matter," he said. "We both arrive with the need for points because we want to meet our goals.
"Sevilla's season must be highlighted. Even though they are not on good form, they remain a fearsome opponent.
"I hope that we can count on the support of the Nou Camp. They will be crucial in order for us to achieve [the win]."
Luis Suarez scored his 23rd league goal of the season in the victory over Granada, earning praise from his manager.
"He does a lot more than just score," Luis Enrique added. "We have to be grateful for the way he has adapted himself for the good of the team. It's not just what he does, it's how he does it."
And on the returning Messi, the Barcelona coach said: "We're always looking to control the number of minutes they play.
"Messi was out with a suspension but has been training regularly. Let's look on the positive side of the mini break he has had. We all want to see Messi out on the field and that's what we'll get."
Sevilla coach Sampaoli anticipates a difficult fixture but believes his side have a good opportunity to get back on track with nine games of the season remaining.
"It is very difficult to think about winning the game but it is also very exciting. It will be tough, but we will think of the pride of wearing this shit and defending it.
"Fighting back against the bad times we've had will give us the path to follow."
And forward Stevan Jovetic added: "We're the same as we were five matches ago when we were second."
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