Europa League holders Sevilla face a tough test in the quarter-finals as they face Russian side Zenit St Petersburg, managed by Andre Villas-Boas. Sevilla have won the competition last time that they met Zenit in the quarter-finals. Sevilla have won three of their four games at home against Russian opponents. Zenit have lost 11 of their 19 away games in Europe and won just two of their 14 matches against Spanish sides.
Sevilla defeated Benfica in last season's final to clinch their third Europa League trophy (including one in the former UEFA Cup format). They are doing well in the Primera Liga this season, they are currently fifth after holding mighty Barcelona to a 2-2 draw last weekend. They have never been beaten at home since March 2014, when they lost to city rivals Betis in the Europa League.
Zenit are heading towards a Russian Premier League title, they are eight points clear at the top of the table after 23 games played. They have lost just two games in the league this season. Zenit have won the UEFA Cup in 2008 and this season entered the competition from the Champions League as they finished third in their group behind Monaco and Bayer Leverkusen.
Probable line-ups:
Sevilla: Rico - Diogo, Pareja, Carrico, Tremoulinas - Iborra, Mbia - Vitolo, Banega, Vidal - Gameiro
Zenit: Lodygin - Anyukov, Lombaerts, Garay, Neto - Witsel, Tymoshchuk, Garcia - Shatov, Rondon, Kerzhakov
My prediction: Sevilla to win 2-0.
Here are the odds for the match at Intertops:
Sevilla win - 1.65 Draw - 3.90 Zenit win - 6.00
galata86 8 years ago
Zenit have a lot of great individual players but as a team they have a lot of problems to play against serious European teams, in Russia they are great but in Europe they have problems. Sevilla controlled the ball but they had a lot of troubles with creating chances for goal. In Russia it will be hard for Sevilla special...
Zenit have a lot of great individual players but as a team they have a lot of problems to play against serious European teams, in Russia they are great but in Europe they have problems. Sevilla controlled the ball but they had a lot of troubles with creating chances for goal. In Russia it will be hard for Sevilla special because of law temperature but I think that they have more quality and they will go in the next round.
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Shumar4life 8 years ago
Sevilla got a win here but it was a tough one and they will have a lot of problems ahead the next match in Russia. Zenit showed capacity to break down Sevilla defense and I believe that they have enough quality to beat Sevilla at their own turf and to break in next round. Sevilla must play much better if they want to progress
Sevilla got a win here but it was a tough one and they will have a lot of problems ahead the next match in Russia. Zenit showed capacity to break down Sevilla defense and I believe that they have enough quality to beat Sevilla at their own turf and to break in next round. Sevilla must play much better if they want to progress
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rikimartin4444_115925 8 years ago
Great match we saw. Seville has taught us to an exciting game and turns this season. From them we can expect to achieve two goals and they did it, although Zenit achieved a good result before the rematch. If Zenit be complete in the next match, it is possible that it would be in the semifinals. I support Zenit this season...
Great match we saw. Seville has taught us to an exciting game and turns this season. From them we can expect to achieve two goals and they did it, although Zenit achieved a good result before the rematch. If Zenit be complete in the next match, it is possible that it would be in the semifinals. I support Zenit this season in UEFA Europe league campaign.
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mdacic 8 years ago
UEFA Europa League is very interesting competition and a lot of teams want to win this trophy. Sevilla is one of the candidates to be winner but now at half time they are one goal behind Zenit. In first half Sevilla controlled the ball but they didn't have a lot of chances for goal. We will see what will happen in second...
UEFA Europa League is very interesting competition and a lot of teams want to win this trophy. Sevilla is one of the candidates to be winner but now at half time they are one goal behind Zenit. In first half Sevilla controlled the ball but they didn't have a lot of chances for goal. We will see what will happen in second half.
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sharpe 8 years ago
I'm with seculla for that one, possibly this will be the most attractive clash in the quarters because of the attacking and spectacular style that both teams trying to play. Still the Russians have to be considered for a favourites but I think these both are just unpredictable teams.
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seculla 8 years ago
This match will be maybe the most interesting and equal from all quarter final matches in UEFA Europa League. Sevilla are in very good shape and on the other side Zenit are very strong team with many world class players. I'm pretty sure that both sides will win on their home pitch and the goal difference will decide who...
This match will be maybe the most interesting and equal from all quarter final matches in UEFA Europa League. Sevilla are in very good shape and on the other side Zenit are very strong team with many world class players. I'm pretty sure that both sides will win on their home pitch and the goal difference will decide who will play in the semi finals, or even a penalties can decide the winner. But that both matches, in Spain and in Russia, will be interesting, that is for sure.
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