They call it El Gran Derbi. The Great Derby. And while that may seem like a presumptuous tag in a nation with so many fabulous fixtures, it really is not.
Seville is Spain's fourth-largest city and its derby is arguably the nation's greatest. Barcelona-Espanyol is too one-sided. Real Madrid-Atletico is too cagey. El Clasico is not really a derby, even though it used to be referred to as such.
The Basque derby is played between teams from different cities. Valencia-Levante (which is Friday night's game) is good, but not up to this. Others, like Real Oviedo vs Sporting Gijon, have lost lustre as those clubs are no longer in the top-flight.
After Sevilla drew at Atletico Madrid in early March and Real Betis beat Real Madrid the following day, all the talk in Seville was about the derby.
That was three months ago and ever since, LaLiga has centred plans on restarting the competition after the coronavirus crisis with Andalucía's premier partido.
This derby will be different. Part of the appeal of the fixture is the warmth of the fans. The passion. The noise. With games to be played behind closed doors for the remainder of this season, El Gran Derbi will lose some sparkle.
But at the same time, it has been given pride of place as the game to restart LaLiga. The eyes of the world will be watching on Thursday night at 9pm BST and already fans have made their presence felt on the streets of Seville with flares and fireworks.
It may be a different derby, but it is still special.
"The derby is going to be played and we have to adapt well to this context and overcome a very good rival in Betis," Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui said in his telematic press conference on Wednesday.
"It's going to be a historic match, with more repercussion all over the world."
Sevilla are at home, with this derby taking place at the Sanchez Pizjuan, and Lopetegui's side will be out for a win to boost their hopes of Champions League qualification.
While Sevilla are currently in third place with 47 points, Real Betis are 14 back in 12th position and coach Rubi had been under intense pressure prior to his side's win over Real Madrid at the Benito Villamarin on March 8.
"Without doubt it's a historic derby," Rubi said on Wednesday. "It's unlikely to be repeated, and we hope it isn't, in these circumstances.
"The score will be remembered forever. Post-confinement, post-pandemic, without fans, the first match on LaLiga's return."
It is, despite the absence of supporters in the stands, all set up to be a memorable derby and the ideal showcase for LaLiga with the world watching.
If you have never seen El Gran Derbi before, make sure you don't miss this one.
