Champions League: Villarreal Still Hoping For Big Scalp Number Three!

Villarreal vs Liverpool

Liverpool head to Spain for their Champions League semi-final second leg tie with Villarreal on Tuesday, two goals to the good but head coach Jurgen Klopp and his players will be taking nothing for granted   

Villarreal have already registered some pretty impressive Champions League 2022 results, beating Juventus and FC Bayern and, despite going into their home leg two goals adrift, head coach Unai Emery will remind his team that they fired three past the Old Lady in the last 15 minutes of that Round of 16 clash. And the fans at the Estadio de la Ceramica will be in full voice in the hope the Yellow Submarine can pull off another miracle.

The Reds come into the game on the back of a hard fought 1-0 win over Newcastle United while Villarreal lost 2-1 away to Alaves, but the Yellow Submarine are a different prospect at home.    

Talking Points

Villarreal’s back line must stay resolute 

Emery’s side, which won the Europa League last season, has plenty of goals in it. Netherlands attacking midfielder Arnaut Danjuma has scored six in the competition while centre forward Gerard Moreno has weighed in with two goals and four assists.

The Spaniard’s midfield was overrun a little in the first leg, and the attack was isolated at times, but in this game they need to keep a solid rearguard to stay in the game as long as possible and hit Liverpool when they get their chances. Emery will pack his midfield and there will be a pivotal role for former Watford star Etienne Capoue. Now 33 years of age, the French defensive midfielder is a powerful runner and a superb reader of the game. With a pass accuracy of 89 per cent he uses the ball with care and he has a big engine, averaging around 11 km per match.

While Capoue is a defensive midfielder he has contributed two goals and two assists and will be a key man at both ends of the pitch. And behind him, experienced Spanish defender Raul Albiol will marshal the defence. The 36 year old has picked up 58 caps with Spain and he skippers the Yellow Submarine with great authority, while forming a fine centre back partnership with Pau Torres.

Albiol was imperious in the second leg against FC Bayern and he will be determined to keep the brilliant Liverpool attack at bay.              

Top four talk won’t leave Liverpool

For all Jurgen Klopp and his players talking down the possibility of an historic quadruple the murmerings are audible around Anfield and why not? The latest Champions League 2022 betting odds are backing Liverpool to lift the trophy and, here at SBOTOP, we’re pricing the Reds as slightly odds on at odds of 1.90. The Carabao Cup is in the bag, and Liverpool have an FA Cup final date with Chelsea when they will be favourites to pick up their second trophy of the campaign.

With four games to play Klopp’s side is one point behind Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title and they are in a great position to qualify for the Champions League final. Mohammed Salah has eight goals from 11 appearances in the competition and Roberto Firmino has five from six and both were rested at the start of Liverpool’s victory over the Magpies; but they were both thrown on as the Reds chased a second goal after Naby Keita had given them an early lead.

I expect Salah to start in attack, with two of Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz alongside him, and that’s a frightening enough prospect for any defence. 

History

Of the four meetings between the two teams, Liverpool have won the last two and drawn one and lost one, back in 2016 and 2008.

In terms of recent form the hosts have won two, drawn two and lost two of the last six games while Liverpool have won five and drawn one over that period. 

The Yellow Submarine are unbeaten in 12 games at home, and they beat Valencia 2-0 last time they were in front of their own fans.

Betting Tip

Villarreal are at 4.36 to win this game, with the draw at 3.59 and a Liverpool victory is at 1.70. The Yellow submarine showed they can live with the very best when they matched FC Bayern in Munich and they will believe they can push Liverpool all the way too. The Reds will be happy with a draw in Spain and a comfortable passage through to the final, but I think there will be goals in the game and for an alternative bet, Over 2.75 goals is priced at 1.86.

 

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