The 0: 0 Bayern at Liverpool FC leaves all possibilities for the second leg open. In addition, a goalless draw is probably the clearest starting position ever. The German record champion needs a win to qualify for the next round, Liverpool draws a draw. The only exception – another 0-0 after 120 minutes, which would have resulted in a penalty shoot-out. Tricky it will be for sports weather in other first leg results, which leave plenty of room. The duel Villarreal vs. Sporting Lisbon, where the tip is strongly linked to the result a week ago, can be taken as an example. Although the Portuguese were the favorites, they lost 1-0 at home and are under tremendous pressure on Thursday. The yellow U-boat on the other hand has surprisingly a very good chance of jumping into the round of 16. Surprisingly, because Villarreal is in the league deep in the relegation battle and the international games are not actually the highest priority.
Therefore, the question arises as to whether the hosts want to reach the next round with all their might or prefer to concentrate on the rescue in La Liga. Since there are also some staff question marks before the duel Villarreal vs.. Sporting Lisbon gives, the odds are to be treated with caution before the kick-off. The home side will be the favorites in the domestic Estadio de la Ceramica in the race. The odds are well below the 2.00 mark, which is understandable after the first leg. Nevertheless, the value seems to be more on the side of the guests who want to turn the tables in the Iberian duel necessarily. On Thursday evening at 18:55 clock the kick-off for the game and after 90 or at the latest 120 minutes is clear who has made the leap to the second round.
The Spanish representative shows two completely different faces this season. As strong as the club is traveling internationally, so far the season in La Liga is disappointing. The Villarreal CF is eighteenth in the table, ranked on a relegation spot and staggering towards the second division. Coach Javier Calleja, who is now the third man on the sideline of the yellow submarine this season, is to take care of the rescue. Villarreal have already scored points nationally eleven times, which is one of the club’s main problems. Until a week ago, the numbers looked even grimmer. The team was the worst home team in the league, winning only one win at home, six draws and five defeats. But the first leg win in the Europa League had apparently also a positive impact on the self-confidence of the players. At the weekend for the first time since forever a second competitive game could be won in series. The 3-0 home against Champions League contenders Sevilla was a real exclamation point and mentally more valuable than just the three points.
This momentum should be taken in the coming weeks. With tailwind, the next task is facing Lisbon. In terms of personnel and tactics, coach Javier Calleja is unlikely to make any changes in comparison to the first leg. Between Villarreal and Sporting, the prediction is that the Spaniards will run into the same starting formation in a 4-2-3-1 system. In the yellow is still injured captain Bruno Soriano. In addition, full-back Jaume Costa can not participate, who still has to serve a match of his red card. A little question mark is behind the motivation and attitude of the hosts to set. Due to the precarious situation in La Liga, the full focus is on the games on the weekend. In the first leg some regular players were spared and whether each club responsible would be so happy if the additional burden of the Europa League remains, is questionable. This does not mean that Villarreal is deliberately eliminated. But these thoughts may play a minimal role in the subconscious of the actors.
Expected formation of Villarreal:
Fernandez – Mario, Alvaro, Ruiz, Alfonso – Trigueros, Fuego, Mori – Chukwueze, Fornals, Bacca
Last matches of Villarreal:
The guests have a similar season as the competitor from Spain behind them. National Sporting Lisbon is currently in fourth place in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. The claim is usually to play behind the top clubs FC Porto and Benfica at least the third violin. But Sporting Braga currently buys the Green-Whites from the cutting. In the direct duel Sporting was able to set a sign on the weekend and beat Braga 3-0 home. The significant increase in performance compared to the Europa League first leg against Villarreal gives the fans hope for the second leg. In addition, the good away balance speaks for the capital club. Sporting Lisbon has moved into the knockout stages as Group E second. The Portuguese only had to let Arsenal FC go first. Away, the team of coach Marcel Keizer remained unbeaten. Even in the Gunners Sporting fought a goalless draw. At Vorskla Poltava in Ukraine, the Portuguese won 2-1, while FK Qarabag Agdam in Azerbaijan won 6-1. In the league, the team abroad can show a balanced balance – four wins, four defeats and two more points.
Coach Marcel Keizer has had an offensive 4-3-3 play in the first leg and has to consider a new match plan for the second leg. After the early backlog, the hosts bit their teeth on the yellow submarine’s defense chain and over 90 minutes Sporting barely scored a chance to score. Of course, the Dutchman has to set up again offensively with the baggage backlog. Maybe there are some personnel changes. In any case, the coach has to do without central defender Jérémy Mathieu, midfielder Rodrigo Battaglia and captain and left winger Nani. In addition, there must be a change on the left side of the defense, as Marcos Acuña saw in the first leg the yellow-red card and thus the trip to Spain was unnecessary. The hopes of the guests fans rest on striker Bas Dost, who like many others ineffective in the first leg. After his long injury, he has proved with the two-pack at the weekend against Braga, however, rising form and wants to shoot his team despite poor starting position still in the second round.
Expected formation of Sporting Lisbon:
Salin – Borja, Coates, Pinto, Ristovski – Gudelj, Wendel, Luis, Fernandes – Diaby, Dost
Last matches of Sporting Lisbon:
The direct comparison for the match Villarreal vs Sporting Lisbon plays an important role in bookmakers’ odds, as they suddenly clearly favor the Spaniards after the first leg. The match last week was the first clash between the two clubs. Alfonso Pedraza made it in the third minute for the 1-0 winner. In the rest of the game, the guests focused on defending and Sporting found no means against the tight defense of the Spaniards.
After the result from the first leg between Villarreal and Sporting Lisbon, a tip on the Portuguese is not exactly obvious. But just because the home game was lost and the green-whites want to make it to the first knockout round, they will compete with great motivation on Thursday evening in the Estadio de la Ceramica. Both clubs were able to regain self-confidence at the weekend with important 3-0 wins in the league. The coaches have each set to a better B-Eleven a week ago, which suggests in particular the Villarreal CF, that the focus in the yellow is clearly to be relegated to the league.
After the first leg Villarreal has best chances to move into the second round
The yellow U-boat, however, the focus is entirely on the subject of relegation in La Liga
With a 3-0 in the league, both clubs were able to regain self-confidence at the weekend
In Portugal’s capital club, on the other hand, the situation in the Primeira Liga is such that not much is possible both up and down. That’s why Thursday’s game is the last chance to save a modest season. The guests will be highly motivated from the first minute to go to work and bring about the change. After the first leg between Villarreal and Sporting Lisbon the odds have shifted too much and a tip on an away win is now very lucrative. It should not be forgotten that, despite all the circumstances, there is still a relegation candidate to a Europa League contender. Two units for the risk tip to the underdog are therefore justified in any case and in the pairing Villarreal vs Sporting predicted that it will be exciting again in the fight for the knockout stages.
Betting Tip: 2
Odds: 4.50
In the previous one, the visiting team starts slightly as a favorite due to the…
Game with a favorable forecast for Alcorcon, who arrives registering very good results as a…
Two teams that have no claim in the Spor Toto Super League will face each…
Aston Villa is a very combative team and has credentials in the face of goal,…
We are going to the Chinese League again, as I said, all the teams have…
In the previous one, the “rossonero” team starts as a favorite due to its collective…