With the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final ties complete, it was surprisingly the away teams who probably came away feeling better about the results.
Liverpool will welcome Borussia Dortmund to Anfield with the score level at 1-1 and a crucial away goal in to the bargain. Therefore, Jurgen Klopp’s team will be looking to complete the job by preventing Dortmund from finding the back of the net, although that’s going to be a tough ask. Thomas Tuchel’s team are undefeated in their last 13 away games, winning 6 of the last 7 and scoring plenty of goals in the process. Meanwhile, Liverpool picked up their first win in 5 games on the weekend against Stoke and scored 4 goals, conceding only 1 in reply. It seems unlikely either team will keep a clean sheet and the draw, with both teams to score is available at 7/2 with BetVictor.
Much like Dortmund, Villarreal came in to their first leg against Sparta Prague, very much as the favourite. However, things did not go as smoothly as expected for the Spanish team and Sparta Prague grabbed an away goal, which could be vital, despite ultimately losing the match 2-1. The Czech outfit will be delighted to still be well in the tie, especially considering they have only tasted defeat at home once this season. Sparta Prague have also scored, at least once in every home match they have played, meaning Villarreal will need to find the back of the net to ensure progress to the semi-final. This could be the one match which springs a shock and Sparta Prague can be backed at 3/1 with Bet365 to win the game.
Sporting Braga must make the trip to Ukraine, having suffered some disappointing recent results. Having been taken apart by Benfica 5-1, the Portuguese team lost the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final to Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 and were held at home on the weekend by struggling Primeira League team Moreirense. Shakhtar have proven to be an unpredictable team this season and having enjoyed a couple of good wins, including the one at Braga, they dropped off the title race in Ukraine on the weekend, after being held 3-3 at Stal Dniprodzerzhynsk. One thing you can say with certainty about these teams, is that their matches tend to feature plenty of goals. With Shakhtar being the home team and having the lead, they have to be favourites at 13/5 with Ladbrokes to win, with both teams to score.
Finally, Sevilla welcome Athletic Club to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan with a 2-1 lead from the first leg. With a goal lead and 2 away goals in the bag, Sevilla will fancy themselves to get the job done in-front of their passionate home fans. However, the win at the San Mames last week, was Sevilla’s only win in their last 4 games and recent form in general, has not been good. However, Athletic Club have also been struggling and won their first match in 5 at the weekend. With the away team having to score at least twice to progress, there should be plenty of goal mouth incident in this game. Athletic Club will be searching for goals but Sevilla know how to win in this competition and could pick them off, more than once. Sevilla to win by a 2 goal margin is on offer at 5/1 with SkyBet.
As things stand prior to the second legs, Dortmund are still the favourites to win the 2015/16 Europa League at 13/5 with PaddyPower. However, they face a difficult match at Anfield against Liverpool, whereas Sevilla, who have great pedigree in this competition, have a first leg advantage and a home tie against Athletic Club. With that in mind, the 10/3 with Bet365, for Sevilla to win the Europa League again this season, looks the better bet.
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