Sevilla will try to defend a narrow advantage in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final away to Zenit St Petersburg on Thursday. The trophy holders pulled off a great comeback in the first leg as they were one goal down with 20 minutes left in the game but secured the win thanks to goals from Carlos Bacca and Denis Suarez. Zenit have won just one of the previous five meetings against Sevilla.
Zenit would need a narrow 1-0 win to advance but their record against Spanish sides is not that good, just two wins out of fifteen games. However, they have been solid at home this season, winning their last three European matches with zero goals conceded. Moreover, they have not lost a Europa League match at home since 2008. Zenit are doing well in the Russian Premier League, they are top of the table and eight points ahead of second-placed Krasnodar. Star striker Hulk will be back in action after missing the first leg while Domenico Criscito, Igor Smolnikov and Danny should also return in the starting eleven. Ezequiel Garay and Aleksandr Ryazantsev will miss out through suspension.
Sevilla have beaten Benfica in the final of last season's competition and they are determined to win back-to-back titles. It's interesting that they have won the trophy each time that they have reached the quarter-finals. They have won each of their last two away games in this competition and scored no less than six times in those games. They are also doing a fine job in the Primera Liga, they are currently fifth but just two points behind fourth-placed Valencia. Daniel Carrico will miss out due to a thigh injury.
Probable line-ups:
Zenit: Lodygin - Rodic, Neto, Lombaerts, Smolnikov - Witsel, Garcia, Tymoshchuk - Rondon, Hulk, Danny
Sevilla: Rico - Coke, Pareja, Kolo, Tremoulinas - Iborra, Banega, Krychowiak - Vitolo, Gameiro, Vidal
My prediction: 1-1 draw.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Zenit win - 2.30 Draw - 3.50 Sevilla win - 3.30
timidi 8 years ago
Sevilla is great club, they are on fifth place in Spanish first league and they are now in semi finals of Europa League after draw here 2-2. For me they are now favorite to win trophy in this competition and that is very important for them because winner of this competition will participate in champions league next year.
Sevilla is great club, they are on fifth place in Spanish first league and they are now in semi finals of Europa League after draw here 2-2. For me they are now favorite to win trophy in this competition and that is very important for them because winner of this competition will participate in champions league next year.
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seculla
9 years ago
I agree with rikimartin, we watched very good game. Zenit had bad 40 minutes and on the other side referee gave Sevilla penalty that in my opinion was not a penalty. In second half we watched another Zenit, they had the ball for the most of the time and had very big opportunities for scoring a goal. They scored two goals,...
I agree with rikimartin, we watched very good game. Zenit had bad 40 minutes and on the other side referee gave Sevilla penalty that in my opinion was not a penalty. In second half we watched another Zenit, they had the ball for the most of the time and had very big opportunities for scoring a goal. They scored two goals, the second was great goal from Hulk and they equaled aggregate result, but late in the game Sevilla take given chance and scored an equalizer from counter attack that was a winning goal in this situation. All in one Sevilla is in semi finals and they deserved it.
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rikimartin4444_115925
9 years ago
Great game we looked at Petrovsky Stadium in St Petersburg. Zenit played well, scoring two goals but again failed to keep his goal and are therefore dropped. Sevilla, who won the trophy last year deservedly went to the semifinals. This match marked the catastrophic errors Sevilla goalkeeper Beto. He was lucky to Gameiro...
Great game we looked at Petrovsky Stadium in St Petersburg. Zenit played well, scoring two goals but again failed to keep his goal and are therefore dropped. Sevilla, who won the trophy last year deservedly went to the semifinals. This match marked the catastrophic errors Sevilla goalkeeper Beto. He was lucky to Gameiro scored late in the game and correct his mistakes.
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rikimartin4444_115925
9 years ago
Definitely the most interesting match tonight will play Zenit and Sevilla. After much excitement and turns, Seville has one goal advantage before the rematch. Zenit will play patiently, to preserve their goal, and in the attack have quality players who are able to solve match with a single sword stroke. On the other hand,...
Definitely the most interesting match tonight will play Zenit and Sevilla. After much excitement and turns, Seville has one goal advantage before the rematch. Zenit will play patiently, to preserve their goal, and in the attack have quality players who are able to solve match with a single sword stroke. On the other hand, Sevilla will try to play my game and out of the game to score one or two goals and reach in the semifinals. My prediction is 1-1 draw.
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sharpe
9 years ago
For me that is the more interesting game tonight. Both teams are tough to predict and I think all kind of results are possible in the end. Seems like Zenit are the slightly favourites before the game but I think it will be a very tough for them to break the Spanish side, will be very interesting.
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seculla
9 years ago
In last match Zenit played without their best player Hulk which was suspended. So tonight they will be much stronger because he is back and also there will be couple of players back in squad. Sevilla won in Spain, but Zenit managed to score and that is a big thing for them, which make them a slight favorite. I expect very...
In last match Zenit played without their best player Hulk which was suspended. So tonight they will be much stronger because he is back and also there will be couple of players back in squad. Sevilla won in Spain, but Zenit managed to score and that is a big thing for them, which make them a slight favorite. I expect very good and tough match, and also I think that both teams will score.
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Johnajax 9 years ago
Zenit is favorite in this match, they play at home and I think that Sevilla won't play well in cold Russia. After first match Zenit still have good chances to win and go to the next round and they scored one away goal and that is very very important, now if they win 1-0 they are in semi finals. We will see tonight what...
Zenit is favorite in this match, they play at home and I think that Sevilla won't play well in cold Russia. After first match Zenit still have good chances to win and go to the next round and they scored one away goal and that is very very important, now if they win 1-0 they are in semi finals. We will see tonight what will happen here but I predict home win 1-0. Scorer Hulk.
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