Emery: No derby favourites

Unai Emery has insisted that there are no favourites for Saturday’s Andalucian derby between Sevilla and Real Betis in La Liga.

Los Nervionenses head to Benito Villamarin three points ahead of their arch-rivals in seventh but still without an away win in the League this season, and the Coach believes his side cannot be for that reason.

“In a game of this size, form doesn’t matter. There isn’t a favourite,” he said at a Press conference.

“We’re posed several challenges in each match, and [on Saturday] we’ll go again to seek a performance which gives us both credibility and three points, and all this in a great game.

“We’re seeking a great performance and an away win to give ourselves continuity in what we do.

“On how the team are working at the moment, they’re filling me with optimism.

“Besides wanting the three points and having a good game, I see the players excited and working with happiness.

“We always make sure that we learn from the result, regardless of whether we win or lose.

“We’ll look to take the opportunity of getting three points as they’re very important.

“We are focused on both the game and emotions surrounding it.

“We must prepare [Friday and Saturday] how we deal with those emotions.

“We must be very focused on what we have to do every second.

“We know what the Sevilla fans expect, and they’re always with their team. We feel their support.

“The relationship between Coaches is often made difficult by conflicting interests and competitiveness, but in this case with Pepe Mel, we had a great meeting the other day, which was also very different from what will happen [on Saturday].

 “Our away form suggests we don’t deserve to be favourites.

“We have to work hard and Saturday is an opportunity, but I’m confident we’ll have a good game which will bring us closer to victory.

“I’m not wrong in saying that I’ve never played for a draw as a Coach.

“[Jose Antonio Reyes] is an important player, even when he’s not playing, which implies he’s like a captain.

“He’s with the team, with the group, transmits the values ​​of the derby and, if he’s on the pitch, helps us with his quality.”

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