Liverpool only has one shot left to get into the Champions League next season, and that's by beating Villarreal in the semifinals of the Europa League, then going on to beat either Sevilla or Shakhtar Donetsk in the finale in a few weeks. The Reds find themselves in a hole they have to climb out of, a task which won't be easy against one of the many very good Spanish sides competing in European tournaments still.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Liverpool -140
Villarreal +350
Draw +270
Over/Under 2.5 (under -140)
ODDS ANALYSIS
It's tough to suggest that the final score of this match will be anything but either 1-0 or 2-0 to the men from Anfield. The Reds are the comfortable -140 favorites on the moneyline, and they'll have to score that victory in regulation time if they want any chance to advance to the finale. A 1-0 win would send this duel to extra time, while a two-goal or more victory for Liverpool would be enough to advance inside of the 90. If Villarreal scores a draw or better or loses by one goal with a score on the losing side of the scoreboard, it will advance to take on either Sevilla or Shakhtar Donetsk.
The total in this game is quite low at 2.5 and -140 vig on the under, but if by chance the Spanish side scores early, this game could become a track meet, as the Reds would need to bag three to go through.
THE FIRST MEETING
By all accounts, that first meeting last week between these two should've ended in a scoreless draw. Neither side appeared poised for a breakthrough until Adrian Lopez slotted one home in stoppage time for Villarreal.
It was a goal which really came out of nowhere. The two sides only combined for six shots on goal for the game, and much of the affair was played in the middle of the pitch in a very tactical and cautious 90 minutes.
Still, the last 15 minutes was a bit different for Villarreal. Its subs clearly worked out better than the subs used by Jurgen Klopp, as Lopez made the difference in the 1-0 triumph at El Madrigal.
LIVE BETTING
The one thing that Liverpool has on its side is a roster stacked with plenty of options. Daniel Sturridge feels like he should be in the Starting XI even though Klopp has preferred to keep him resting in these European cup matches. That might really help, as too might letting Christian Benteke start over the overmatched Roberto Firmino in the center of the attack in this 4-3-3 formation.
Let's also remember that Villarreal hasn't been nearly the same side on the road as it has been at home. The Spaniards haven't been beaten at El Madrigal in the Europa League, but on the road, there have been some problems. Matches against both Napoli and Beyer Leverkusen were drawn, and in both cases, the offense looked completely lifeless for Villarreal.
QUICK PICK
Klopp has to know that this is the biggest match of his career to date at Liverpool. Beating his former side, Borussia Dortmund a couple weeks ago in the quarterfinals in dramatic form was great, but eventually, you have to cash in those moments for silverware.
We'll be interested to see what the attacking formation looks like for Liverpool. If Klopp is going for it, this could be a match where the Reds get the desired result. If he decides to play this cautious, this could be a drab match in the first half before it's forced to open up in the second 45.
Klopp has ultimately made the right choices with Liverpool since taking over at Anfield, and we have to think he'll do the same here in this one as well. We'll take Liverpool to erase that 1-0 deficit and advance into the Europa League Final.
Europa League Odds: Liverpool 2, Villarreal 0
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here, so start betting with BookMaker today! The fixture between Liverpool and Villarreal will take place at 3:05 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 5, 2016 at Anfield. The game will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 1.
