Liverpool – Villarreal : Preview & Prediction
Liverpool, who won the EFL Cup, were runners-up in the FA Cup, semi-finalists in the Champions League and are in the running for the Premier League title, are preparing for an exciting end to the season. Unbeaten since March 8, the Reds have won three games, including an FA Cup tie against Manchester City (3-2) and two league wins over Manchester United (4-0) and Everton (2-0) this weekend. Klopp’s side, who have qualified for the next UEFA Champions League via the league, are more than ever in the title race, with only a single point separating Manchester City from the Reds with five games remaining. On the European stage, the current Premier League runners-up only lost at Anfield Road to Inter Milan (0-1), after the Reds had beaten AC Milan (3-2), Atletico Madrid (2-0) and FC Porto (2-0), but before the latter were beaten 3-3 by Benfica, an inconsequential defeat compared to a substantial 1-3 advantage in Portugal. The English team, confident of its strengths, will have to remain serious against Villarreal, a small thumb, which has just knocked out the great Bayern Munich (1-0 and 1-1) in the quarter-finals of the most prestigious European cup. The Spanish club has bad memories of its only trip to England this season, as it lost 2 goals to 1 in the group stage of this C1 last September. That was the only away defeat for the yellow submarine in the Champions League, although they did manage to do well in Switzerland against Young Boys Bern (1-4) and in Italy against Atalanta Bergamo (2-3) and Juventus Turin (0-3). The current seventh-placed team in La Liga will have a tough time of it at Anfield against one of Europe’s finest attacks. After two draws against Athletic Bilbao (1-1) and in Munich (1-1), Villarreal won twice in Getafe (2-1) and in front of Valencia (2-0) on April 19th, preparing themselves for this great European match.
Two teams who are in great shape for this second Champions League semi-final! The Reds are undefeated for 10 games, and even remain on a single defeat in their last 26 games! It’s a great season for Klopp’s men, who will have to be strong until the end to keep the Champions League and the championship alive. But against Villarreal, it won’t be as easy as many people think. Indeed, the yellow submarine is a very difficult team to beat, and Real Madrid in particular or Bayern Munich have already broken their teeth on it this year. Villarreal have gone five games without defeat and have won three times in that time, including against Bayern. Emery’s men just beat Getafe (1-2) and Valencia (2-0) last Tuesday. They did not play this weekend, which was devoted to the Copa del Rey final in Spain.
Latest fixtures (head-to-head)
Classic for the Reds. Liverpool have been spared injuries this year, unlike last year, and can afford to field their typical XI for this Champions League semi-final first leg. Konate, who has been in great form lately, should be in the starting line-up in place of Matip. In midfield, no surprises, with the usual trio. In attack, it is Salah, Jota and Mané who will have to make the difference, with Firmino and Diaz who should logically be content with a start. For the Spaniards, Unai Emery will have to do without his two Moreno. Alberto, formerly of Liverpool, has been injured for several weeks and will not return this season. He will therefore not be able to make his return to Anfield… But the other one is Gerard Moreno, very important in attack, who has relapsed and is not expected to play in this match in all likelihood. The Spanish coach will be able to count on his French duo in midfield, Capoue-Coquelin, to try and contain the Reds’ attacks.
Liverpool – Villarreal : Betting Tips
Liverpool – Win & Over 3.5 Goals Odds:2.25
