Sevilla have emerged as a competitive force both domestically and in Europe since the turn of the century, but are they set to be crowned La Liga champions?

The Andalusians have become renowned as Europa League specialists over recent years, winning the competition a record six times, but they have not been crowned champions of Spain since 1946.

However, this season they have emerged as nearest rivals to Real Madrid in La Liga's title race and they could move to within three points of the league leaders with a victory at home to Elche on Friday night.

As with all La Liga games, this is match can be watched as part of our European Soccer Live Streaming Highlights.

Sevilla have not lost at home all season in La Liga and are priced at 4/9 to collect all three points on Friday, with Elche available at 7/1 and the draw 10/3.

From cup specialists to genuine league contenders

Sevilla are regarded as cup specialists and it is easy to see why, as they have not only won six Europa Leagues in the space of the last 16 years, but they have also reached four Copa del Rey finals during the same period, winning that trophy twice in 2007 and 2010.

Those triumphs are undoubtedly impressive, but they have arguably come in second-tier competitions, with Los Nervionenses having not been able to replicate the same levels of success in either the Champions League or La Liga.

A run to the quarter-finals of the Champions League in 2018 is the best Sevilla have mustered from eight previous appearances in the competition. That includes this season when they were knocked out in the group stage, while they have not been able to break the stranglehold of Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid or Barcelona domestically.

There were signs last season that things could be changing at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Sevilla just amount remained in the title hunt until the final few weeks of the campaign, and this time around their challenge looks set to be even greater.

Julen Lopetegui has guided his side to 13 wins and just two defeats from their 23 matches in La Liga to date this term. That run has seen them remain on the coattails of Real Madrid and move nine and 11 points clear of Barcelona and Atletico, respectively.

Sevilla can be backed at 9/1 to win La Liga this season, a triumph that would cap a rise to the top that has been achieved despite the club lacking the financial muscle and reputation of their main rivals.

Sevilla benefiting from a change in tack

During the last 20 years, Sevilla have established a reputation for finding and nurturing star players of the future before selling them on for a profit - a model made possible by the impressive work of their highly-regarded director of football Monchi.

Stars such as Dani Alves, Sergio Ramos, Jesus Navas and Ivan Rakitic have all been part of that process, but the latter two have since returned, underlining a change in approach from the club.

That has been particularly evident during recent transfer windows. Sevilla have turned down big-money offers for defenders Jules Kounde and Diego Carlos, as they no longer feel the need to sell their best players.

Los Rojiblancos have also recruited a more high-profile calibre of player of late, epitomised by the arrival of Anthony Martial on loan from Manchester United.

All this indicates a side that no longer want to be regarded as a selling club and instead see themselves as genuine contenders at the highest level.

The route to La Liga glory

There have been one or two stuttering results for Sevilla of late, drawing their last three matches in La Liga, while the return of the Europa League later this month could also threaten to derail their domestic progress.

However, they do have a couple of favourable fixtures to look forward to against Elche and Espanyol before they host Real Betis in the Seville Derby at the end of the month.

An away fixture at high-flying Rayo Vallecano is also on the horizon in early March, but it is April where Sevilla's title bid could be won or lost, as they will head to the Camp Nou on 2nd April to take on Barcelona before hosting Real Madrid at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan two weeks later.

Away clashes with Villarreal and Atletico Madrid will also test Sevilla's resolve in May, while they will conclude domestic duties at home to Athletic Bilbao on 21st May - who knows they could still be in the title race come that fixture.

Only time will tell if Sevilla can last the pace in La Liga, but the Andalusians will at the very least expect to finish in the top four at 1/12, while they are priced at 1/2 to end the season as the highest-placed team outside of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

bet365 News Team

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