Liverpool continue their quest for Europa League glory with a visit to Spain on Thursday, where they face Villarreal in the first leg of their semi-final tie. The two sides have never met before, not even in a friendly match. Last time Villarreal met an English side in Europe was in 2011, when Manchester City beat them 3-0 in Spain and 2-1 on English soil in the Champions League. Liverpool also lost their last two meetings against Spanish opposition as they lost twice to Real Madrid in 2014, also in the Champions League.
Liverpool are coming from seven matches without defeat in all competitions, including the amazing tie with Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. The Reds secured a 1-1 draw in Germany and then produced a historic fightback at home, coming back from 3-1 down to record a spectacular 4-3 win. That win was followed by two consecutive Premier League victories, including a 4-0 success in the Merseyside derby, but last weekend they were held to a 2-2 draw by relegation contenders Newcastle. That result ended Liverpool's slim hopes of reaching the top four in the league, so their only chance to play Champions League football next season is to win the Europa League.
Villarreal are going through a tough time, they have not won in three matches and their fourth place in the Primera Liga table is now in danger. After beating Sparta Praga 4-2 in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals Villarreal lost to Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid while last weekend they were held to a goalless draw at home by Real Sociedad. Leo Baptistao, Mateo Musacchio and Jaume Costa will miss out due to injuries.
Probable line-ups:
Villarreal: Areola - Mario, Bailly, Ruiz, Rukavina - Suarez, Bruno, Trigueros, Castillejo - Bakambu, Soldado
Liverpool: Mignolet - Clyne, Lovren, Toure, Moreno - Lallana, Milner, Leiva, Coutinho - Firmino - Sturridge
My prediction: Liverpool to win 2-1.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Villarreal win - 2.50 Draw - 3.30 Liverpool win - 3.10
sharpe
7 years ago
Liverpool had a really good campaign in UEFA Europa League this season and it wasn't surprising at all that they overcome Villarreal and reached the final. But in the end they missed the chance to lift the cup and maybe even more importantly to take a Champions League spot for the next season.
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Alexa Alexa 7 years ago
This was very tight match.Both teams would be satisfied with goalless but The Yellow Submarine had enough luck and knowledge to score late winning goal,that will help them a lot in second leg.Now they can focus on defense and try to score from counter attacks.One goal at Anfield will probably be enough for the final.
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mannixx
7 years ago
I think it will be atractive game with a lot of chances, attacking tacktics is Villareals way of play and also by Jurgen Klop so i think today over 2.5 goals, and also a lots of yellov cards and i think its time Klop gives a chance to play to Benteke at least in second half.
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milo?.sekuli?
7 years ago
Both teams still have a lot of work in their leagues, they are both fighting for Europe, so maybe they will enter this game carefully. I give Liverpool an advantage, they are full of confidence after that last game in Europe, and I think that they will enter the finals. Tonight I expect a draw with a couple of goals. 2:...
Both teams still have a lot of work in their leagues, they are both fighting for Europe, so maybe they will enter this game carefully. I give Liverpool an advantage, they are full of confidence after that last game in Europe, and I think that they will enter the finals. Tonight I expect a draw with a couple of goals. 2: 2 I suppose.
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