The final of the Europa League takes place on Wednesday in Basel, with Liverpool and Sevilla fighting for the trophy that would allow the winner to take part in next season's Champions League. The two teams are among the most successful in the history of this competition. Sevilla will be trying to win it for the third consecutive year, an achievement that was never reached before. The two sides have never met before, but Sevilla have good memories against English teams as they defeated Middlesbrough 4-0 to clinch the UEFA Cup in 2006.
Liverpool finished eighth in the Premier League, not exactly what the fans would have wanted, but they have a chance to end the campaign with a trophy and a much-desired qualification for next season's Champions League. Last weekend they were held to a 1-1 draw by West Bromwich Albion, but probably the Liverpool players and staff were already focused on Wednesday's clash in Basel. In fact, Jurgen Klopp rested most of his key players for the final. The German manager has lost his last four cup finals, including this season's League Cup final against Manchester City. Divock Origi will most likely face a late fitness test while Mamadou Sakho remains suspended.
Sevilla had a disappointing league campaign as well, they need to win the Europa League in order to play in an European competition next season. They lost 3-1 at Athletic Bilbao last weekend, a result which left them seventh in the Primera Liga. It also was the third consecutive league defeat for Unai Emery and his men, not the form they would have wanted heading into the Europa League final. They have great tradition in this competition though, they won it four times during the last ten years. Michael Krohn-Dehli will miss out due to a knee injury.
Probable line-ups:
Liverpool: Mignolet - Clyne, Lovren, Toure, Moreno - Lallana, Can, Milner - Coutinho, Firmino, Sturridge
Sevilla: Soria - Mariano, Rami, Carrico, Tremoulinas - Krychowiak, N'Zonzi, Coke, Banega, Vitolo - Gameiro
My prediction: Liverpool to win 2-1.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Liverpool win - 2.40 Draw - 3.40 Sevilla win - 3.20
sharpe
7 years ago
Sevilla won their third UEFA cup in a row which is a historic achievement really. I think Liverpool played well trough the tournament but in the final game they shown their usual naive style which is typical for the most of the British sides by the way. Another loss in final for the Reds and the fans could only hope they...
Sevilla won their third UEFA cup in a row which is a historic achievement really. I think Liverpool played well trough the tournament but in the final game they shown their usual naive style which is typical for the most of the British sides by the way. Another loss in final for the Reds and the fans could only hope they would be better next season.
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Alexa Alexa 7 years ago
I felt sorry for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp after the end of the match,but honestly ,Sevilla deserved the trophy much more then the Reds.Unai Emeri was absolutely ready for this match and it looked like there was no way for him to loose this.This was great chance for Klopp to bring in winning mentality,but they failed.
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mannixx
7 years ago
Im really sorry for Liverpool, its sad that we wont be able to watch them in Champions League next year. Looks like this team is limited ability, Kloops fault is that he overslept winter transfer period, he has to bring some new faces and better players if he wants to make a good result next year.
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Milaneli
7 years ago
Eventho Sevilla is a great team and they won Europa League twice in a row, I would love to se glory Liverpool in Champions League next season. I am Arsenal fan but Klopp has won my heart, and with 5th team from Premier League in European elite would boost entire league. I give equal chances to both teams, would love it...
Eventho Sevilla is a great team and they won Europa League twice in a row, I would love to se glory Liverpool in Champions League next season. I am Arsenal fan but Klopp has won my heart, and with 5th team from Premier League in European elite would boost entire league. I give equal chances to both teams, would love it to be bunch of goals and to match goes to extra time and maybe into penalties. I think it will be 2:2, both teams are playing aggressive and their defences lack concentration.
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nik92 7 years ago
Seville is a team with two faces, one desperate in Primera, and other perfect in Europe League. I see that everyone loves to win Liverpool, and all are beting against Sevilla. I would not be so sure about that, It is very possible that the team from Andalusia win tonight. Chances are 50 50. This is one game, and everything...
Seville is a team with two faces, one desperate in Primera, and other perfect in Europe League. I see that everyone loves to win Liverpool, and all are beting against Sevilla. I would not be so sure about that, It is very possible that the team from Andalusia win tonight. Chances are 50 50. This is one game, and everything is possible. My prognosis, Kevin Gameiro is a player of the match.
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mannixx
7 years ago
Hope Liverpool will win and qualify in Champions League next year, because i think it will be completly different Liverpool next year when Klopp will go thru summer transfer window and it will be great to watch them in Europe next year but Klopp has to give more chance to Benteke.
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