Summary

  • First La Liga game since 10 March

  • All teams have 11 games left

  • Sevilla sit third, one point clear of fifth-placed Getafe in CL hunt

  • Betis are 12th; eight points clear of the bottom three

  1. Minute's silence in memory of Covid-19 victimspublished at 21:00 British Summer Time 11 June 2020

    Sevilla v Real Betis (21:00 BST)

    There are 11 rounds of games remaining in La Liga, with Barcelona leading the table by two points from bitter rivals Real Madrid.

    A minute's silence will take place before each game in memory of those who have died during the coronavirus pandemic.

  2. Postpublished at 20:58 British Summer Time 11 June 2020

    Sevilla v Real Betis (21:00 BST)

    The newly familiar sights of elbow taps, masks, social distancing in evidence in the tunnel. Football as we now now it.

  3. Postpublished at 20:56 British Summer Time 11 June 2020

    Sevilla v Real Betis (21:00 BST)

    A ball on a plinth, darkness falls. We're getting some Spanish football once again everyone. Hold on to your tapas.

  4. Liga hoping for 10% of fans backpublished at 20:50 British Summer Time 11 June 2020

    FansImage source, EPA
    Image caption,

    The cardboard cutout industry is booming

    La Liga hopes to have some supporters back in stadiums by the end of the season, says president Javier Tebas.

    Tebas says talks will take place with the government in two weeks to discuss the possibility of fans returning when it is safe to do so.

    "Of course it won't be the entire stadium and there will be special precautionary measures," said Tebas.

    "If we can have even 10% or 15% by the end of the season, if that happens we will be very happy about that because that's a sign that we are getting back to some form of normality."

  5. Postpublished at 20:47 British Summer Time 11 June 2020

    It's a 10pm local time kick-off tonight by the way. Just after tea time in Spain.

  6. Postpublished at 20:44 British Summer Time 11 June 2020

    Sevilla v Real Betis (21:00 BST)

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  7. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 20:42 British Summer Time 11 June 2020

    #bbcfootball or text us on 81111 (UK Only)

    MuralImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    They'll be dialling in from France to watch tonight...

    I think we've all got our heads around football coming back now, haven't we? But if you've got anything Spain specific to get off your chest please do.

    Text me on 81111 (UK Only, put your names on please) or tweet us at #bbcfootball.

  8. Stay AWAYpublished at 20:39 British Summer Time 11 June 2020

    Sevilla v Real Betis (21:00 BST)

    Ah.

    FansImage source, EPA
    FansImage source, EPA

    I don't think they heard you pal.

  9. Stay away!published at 20:37 British Summer Time 11 June 2020

    Sevilla v Real Betis (21:00 BST)

    SevillaImage source, EPA

    Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui hopes fans stay away from the ground for tonight's derby with Real Betis as La Liga returns to action.

    Third-placed Sevilla host city rivals Betis, in 12th, in the first game in Spain's top division since 10 March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    All remaining fixtures in the league will be played behind closed doors.

    "I hope people do what law enforcement forces are telling them to do," said Lopetegui.

    The Seville derby would normally attract a 40,000-plus crowd to Sevilla's ground but Lopetegui does not foresee any problems regarding safety outside the venue.

    "Of course we would like to have a full stadium," he added. "The measures are for the common good.

    "The message is one of responsibility."

  10. Tight at the toppublished at 20:34 British Summer Time 11 June 2020

    Sevilla v Real Betis (21:00 BST)

    Andy West
    Spanish football writer

    TableImage source, BBC Sport

    The race for Champions League qualification is extremely close, with five teams separated by five points.

    Third place is currently occupied by Sevilla, but two highly contrasting teams are in hot pursuit. Real Sociedad are arguably the most exciting young side in Europe, with classy playmaker Martin Odegaard supported by midfielder Mikel Merino, winger Mikel Oyarzabal and Swedish striker Alexander Isak to create a free-flowing collective.

    Getafe, on the other hand, are widely regarded as ugly but effective. Barca boss Setien once raged that their rugged style "makes my blood boil", but Jose Bordalas's team play to their strengths better than anyone else and deserve huge credit for making the most of what they've got.

    The chasing pack is completed by Valencia and Atletico Madrid, who are psychologically lifted following their extraordinary Champions League triumph at Anfield but who have already suffered another injury blow after Portuguese starlet Joao Felix broke down in training.

  11. Postpublished at 20:34 British Summer Time 11 June 2020

    Sevilla v Real Betis (21:00 BST)

    The Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium looks absolutely colossal with no fans in it. This will be the weirdest derby any of these players have taken part in, that's for sure.

  12. Team newspublished at 20:32 British Summer Time 11 June 2020

    Sevilla v Real Betis (21:00 BST)

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    Sevilla make three changes from the side which drew 2-2 with Atletico Madrid in their last game - 96 days ago on 7 March!

    Munir, Fernando and Oliver Torres all start.

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    Real Betis beat Real Madrid in their last game back in March but make four changes. In come Guido Rodriguez, Carles Alena, Cristian Tello and Borja Iglesias.

  13. Top four for the hosts?published at 20:31 British Summer Time 11 June 2020

    Sevilla v Real Betis (21:00 BST)

    Each team has seven matches remaining of the season and the schedule means that the league will be complete by 19 July.

    Sevilla are currently third and the forecast has them with a good chance of securing a Champions League spot. If it ever happens.

    Simon Gleave, head of sports analysis, Gracenote says: "Barcelona's two-point lead at the top of La Liga might not seem much but as Barca are ranked as the third best team in Europe with Real Madrid seventh, it is a sizeable lead with seven matches remaining.

    "Simulations of the remainder of the season using our Euro Club Index, external ranking give Barcelona 76% chance of winning the league and Real Madrid 24%."

    Luuk de JongImage source, Getty Images

    "Both Barcelona and Real Madrid are already certain of a place in the top four according to the Euro Club Index simulations but the other two places are open.

    "Atletico Madrid (64% chance of the Champions League next season) and Sevilla (56%) are most likely to claim the other two top four places but Getafe, Real Sociedad and Valencia are still in the race."

  14. TGI Thursdaypublished at 20:25 British Summer Time 11 June 2020

    Sevilla v Real Betis (21:00 BST)

    Sevilla derbyImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    'Yes, they'll be playing just through there. No, you can't go. You just can't. Listen to your dad. It's complicated. Yes, I know it's not fair. Just forget it.'

    La Liga is BACK. WIth a derby.

    Behind closed doors, of course.

    But back all the same. Shall we?