Guillem Balague looks at how Jorge Sampaoli and Samir Nasri

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Guillem Balague looks at how Jorge Sampaoli and Samir Nasri are transforming Sevilla ahead of Sundays clash with Barcelona live on Sky Sports. Sevilla have been one of the stories of the season in La Liga. They sit three points off the top of the table having only lost one of their first 10 games, and on Sunday they can jump above second-placed Barcelona if they beat Luis Enriques men at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium. Sevilla vs Barcelona November 6, 2016, 7:30pm Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass They can approach the game with confidence. Sevilla lost their three-time Europa League-winning manager Unai Emery to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, but their strong start under Jorge Sampaoli has fuelled talk that they are dark horses in the title race. So whats changed? Well, 11 new signings have certainly helped, and Sampaolis high-intensity, attacking playing style has also proved a good fit for a side who already played aggressively under Emery. The big difference, however, is that Sampaoli wants them to dominate the ball, too. Sevilla are playing possess-based football under Jorge Sampaoli The stats show its working. Their numbers for possession, short passes per game and passing accuracy have risen sharply from last season. In fact, Barcelona are the only team in La Liga to have averaged more possession.The key for us is to build our own identity, said Sampaoli earlier this season. We cannot play scared, so we must seek to dominate the game and think about our rivals goal.Sampaoli encourages his players to be brave with the ball, and its having a positive effect. Sevilla are playing slick, passing football, and on-loan Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri has been at the heart of it. Sevillas Samir Nasri in action during their 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid Nasri is performing and showing how good he is, said Sampaoli last month. He is a player at the height of his game, and he is getting us through matches.With his sharp passing, positional flexibility and clever movement, Nasri typifies what Sampaoli wants from his players. The former Chile manager is also changing things up in a tactical sense. Incredibly, Sevilla have used eight different formations in just 10 La Liga games this season. That level of tactical flexibility is unrivalled in the division, and their unpredictability makes them difficult to defend against. According to Opta, Sevilla have used more formations than any other La Liga side The likes of Steven NZonzi, Vitolo and Franco Vazquez have impressed, but Nasri is perhaps the most important player when it comes to making the system work. From defensive midfield to left wing, the Frenchman has already lined up in four different positions this season, and he has excelled in every one. The bad news for Sevilla is that Nasri is a doubt for the Barcelona game after sustaining a hamstring injury last week. His absence would be a big blow, and the stats show why. Nasris intelligent distribution is vital for Sevillas possession-game - his passing accuracy is the highest at the club - and his dribbling ability is important when it comes to keeping the ball in tight spaces. The numbers behind Samir Nasris impressive start to the season Hes a goal threat, too. Nasri scored his first goal for Sevilla against Athletic Bilbao, and he added to his tally against Leganes. There was also an important strike against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.Without Nasri, Sampaoli and his trusty assistant Juanma Lillo would have to find new solutions. Barcelona will provide a big test of their credentials, but Sevilla have shown it would be foolish to write them off. Also See: Barca play down Suarez-Utd link Ballon dOr nominees on Sky Wholesale NFL Jerseys . 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Canada weathered the storm after squandering a lead with a series of made shots. "Its a fantastic win for our country with 11 first-time Canadian national team members," said head coach Roy Rana.Lexington, KY (SportsNetwork.com) - The top-ranked Kentucky Wildcats put their unblemished record in harms way on Sunday afternoon, as they welcome equally flawless Providence to Rupp Arena for an intriguing non-conference affair. John Caliparis Wildcats have really yet to be tested on the season, winning all six of their games with relative ease. The routs include a marquee matchup with Kansas (72-40) back on Nov. 18. The most recent victim of Kentuckys was UT Arlington on Tuesday, a 92-44 lopsided affair in Lexington, Ky. Ed Cooleys Friars have gotten off to a fast start as well, enjoying their own 6-0 record thus far. The fast start includes capturing the Hall of Fame Tip- off title. The team most recently knocked off a pesky Yale squad at home, 72-66. The Friars are 2-11 all-time against the No. 1 ranked team in the nation. Kentucky has won both previous meetings with Providence. The Wildcats earned a 79-65 decision last year over the Friars at the Barclays Center. Efficient play at the offensive end and suffocating defensive play have been the driving forces behind Providences quick start. The Friars are enjoying a +15.8 scoring margin as a result, averaging 74.2 ppg, while allowing just 58.3. In addition, the team has positive rebounding (+6.0) and turnover margins (+3.0). La Dontae Henton has played at an All-America level early on, shooting .557 from the floor and averaging a robust 24.3 ppg. He is also tops on the team in both rebounding (5.8 rpg) and steals (14). Tyler Harris is a distant second in the scoring column at 13.7 ppg. It was once again Providences ability to shoot at a high level thatt led to victory against Yale.dddddddddddd The Friars shot 50 percent or better in both halves en route to the six-point win. Henton put on an offensive show in the win, going 10-of-19 from the floor and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line en route to a game-high 29 points. Harris added 14 points for Providence, which shot .512 fro the field overall, despite a less-than-stellar 3-of-13 from behind the arc. No team has even come close to making things difficult for Kentucky thus far. The Wildcats boast of a gaudy +36.8 scoring margin, as the team is averaging just over 82 points per game. The defense has been smothering at times, with opponents shooting an anemic .279 from the floor and netting just 45.7 ppg. Kentucky also lives comfortably in terms of rebounding (+16.3) and turnover (+6.0) margins. It has been a total team effort for Kentucky, as there arent any prolific scorers emerging yet. Aaron Harrison and Devin Booker lead the team with 11.2 ppg each. Dakari Johnson is also in double digits with 11.0 ppg, while Trey Lyles (9.3 ppg), Andrew Harrison (8.7 ppg) and Willie Cauley- Stein (8.3 ppg) contribute as well. The Wildcats blew by yet another opponent, with a 48-point romp over UT Arlington last time out. Six players finished in double figures in the lopsided affair, led by Bookers 19 points. Kari-Anthony Towns recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. He was followed the scoring column by Johnson (12 pts), Aaron Harrison (11 pts), Andrew Harrison (11 pts) and Lyles (10 pts). UK shot a scorching .566 from the floor and outscored UT Arlington 24-6 at the free-throw line. ' ' '