Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli is convinced his players will improve on their recent form and be at their best in Tuesday's Champions League round-of-16 return leg at Leicester City in what will be a "historic opportunity for everyone."
The Spanish outfit, which travels to the King Power stadium holding a 2-1 advantage from the opening leg on Feb. 28, has drawn its last two games, including 1-1 on Saturday at relegation-threatened Leganes to drop to third in La Liga.
"It's normal that you have a drop in form, it happens to every team," Sampaoli, who turned 56 on Monday, said in a news conference. "We've had that. But now we have the duty to be the best.
"We have to give our best version, that which has allowed us to fight with Barcelona and Real Madrid for La Liga.
"The best [birthday] present would be to be among the top eight in the world, it's a historic opportunity for everyone.
"It's very important what will take place tomorrow and I hope it will be a reward for everyone."
Sevilla, five points behind leaders Real Madrid, have won the Europa League five times, including the past three editions. However, they have not reached the quarterfinals of Europe's elite club competition since 1958.
Sampaoli does not believe their narrow advantage from the first leg will be enough to see them through.
"If we think that a one-goal advantage will qualify us, it's a mistake," the Argentine manager said. "If we think that way, the team in blue will win."
Leicester sacked coach Claudio Ranieri, the man that led them to Premier League glory last season, shortly after the game in Seville and appointed Craig Shakespeare as caretaker manager until the end of the season.
Shakespeare has overseen 3-1 home wins over Liverpool and Hull City as the Foxes secured back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
"The Leicester team that played at the Sanchez Pizjuan was a different one to this," Sampaoli said. "Not only from an emotional standpoint but from a football one, too.
"They showed it against Liverpool and Hull City in their stadium, they are trying to prove that they are the team that won the Premier League."
Moreover, Leicester City have only lost four Premier League games at the King Power stadium and won all three of their Champions League games at home.
Sevilla 's 1-0 victory at Dinamo Zagreb on Oct. 18 is their only away win in the competition.
"We've seen that they are a very difficult team to beat at home," Sevilla's French defender Adil Rami said in Monday's news conference. "They have beaten big teams like Liverpool and Manchester City here, but we are aware of what is at stake and we will give everything to make history with Sevilla."
Sevilla have not lost in their last eight games in all competitions but have not looked to be at their best of late.
"We don't have anxiety," Rami said. "It's true that we have lost four important points but that doesn't mean that we need to change our style of play or our ambitions.
"We need to take it one game at a time and we have to think about winning."
Dani Parejo, Samir Nasri, Gabriel Mercado and Vitolo did not feature in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Leganes but are expected to return to the starting XI against Leicester.
Portuguese defender Daniel Carrico and Argentinian striker Luciano Vietto have not been included in Sevilla's travelling squad.