Liverpool v Villarreal Preview And Predictions - Champions League Semifinals, 1st Leg
Welcome Offer banners Welcome Offer banners

Liverpool v Villarreal Preview And Predictions - Champions League Semifinals, 1st Leg

Liverpool continue their bid to reach a third Champions League Final in five years when they take on Villarreal in their semifinal, 1st leg at Anfield on Wednesday. Following their Carabao Cup Final win, Jurgen Klopp's team are still on for the quadruple, however they will have to be at their very best against last seasons Europa League winners that have already knocked-out Juventus and Bayern Munich this campaign. Check out our preview and predictions for the game, and if playing online casino is your entertainment of choice, head over to Genting Casino and enjoy over 3000 of your favourite online slots and premium live casino tables.

PLAY ONLINE CASINO HERE


Recent Form

Liverpool have been dominating in the 2022 calendar year with a record of W21-D4-L1 since the year began. Their only loss this year was against Internazionale in the 2nd Leg of the Round of 16 when Liverpool were happy to sit back and soak up pressure from the Italian reigning Champions.

Villarreal are the dark horse of this competition, securing placement in the group stages by beating Manchester United last year in the Europa League final and now they are two matches away from a potential Champions League final if they can overcome this extremely dominant Liverpool team. If they can pull off an upset against Bayern Munich they definitely have the ability to do it again.

Since the elimination of the away goals rule, in the first leg knockout matches we have seen the away team turn up to whomever they are playing and set up for damage limitation. 

This means that Villarreal will most likely sit back and absorb the pressure whilst trying to spring on the counter-attack, hoping the likes of Samuel Chukueweze and Arnaut Danjuma can exploit the Reds high line. We think this will give a slight advantage to Villarreal but that’s only if they can keep Liverpool out for 90 minutes. 

Europa League Preview And Predictions - Semifinals, 1st Leg

Europa League Preview And Predictions - Semifinals, 1st Leg

Liverpool To Win To Nil

Anfield is one of the hardest grounds to play at in Europe which is proved by the fact that seven out of Liverpool's last eight games there have been won-to-nil, while the other finished 3-1 in Liverpool’s favour. 

The last time a Spanish team played at Anfield was back in the group stages of this competition, Atleti ended up losing 2-0 thanks to first-half goals from Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane.

Villarreal have struggled when playing away from home this year, seven out of their nine losses in the league have come in away games and have at some points looked incapable of getting the result they needed. 

Two recent notable away losses came back-to-back when they played Cadiz and Levante who currently sit 17th and 19th in La Liga. 

Villarreal bounced back from these losses and managed to beat Bayern Munich in the first leg of the last round, so it’s difficult to rule them out entirely. 

The team from Eastern Spain are currently seventh in La Liga but they’d be in the bottom-half based on away results alone.

Given that Villerreal haven’t played their best football when on their travells and that Liverpool are so dominant on European nights at Anfield, we believe that Liverpool win-to-nil is the best bet for this game. 

It has come off in seven of their last eight games and has occurred in 71% of their home Premier League games this season. 

LIVERPOOL TO WIN TO NIL

 

PLAY ONLINE CASINO HERE

 

18+BeGambleAware

GENTING CASINO ONLY OFFERS SPORTS ARTICLES AND NOT SPORTS BETTING

Genting Casino is a leading global casino brand. We provide a premium online casino experience with our huge selection of online slots and live casino games. Genting has been recognized many times for its work in creating fun, safe gaming experiences winning multiple industry awards during its 50 years in business.

V: 1.37.0 All rights reserved. August 2021
top
|