Europa League 2016: Predictions, Analysis, Fixtures & Live Streaming - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Liverpool travel to Dortmund, Bilbao host Sevilla and the likes of Villarreal and Shakhtar will fight it out against Sparta and Braga respectively.
Will it be a happy homecoming from Jurgen Klopp when he returns to the Westfalenstadion tonight? Can Sevilla retain their Europa League crown for the third time in a row? Which of these teams are favourites to win tonight according to most gambling sites? we will be one step closer to finding that out tonight.
Here at Soccerlens, we look at the matches individually and assess each team’s chances in the first leg of the quarter-finals tonight.
Borussia Dortmund vs Liverpool
Borussia Dortmund takes on Liverpool FC in the Europa League quarter-finals tonight and according to the odds, most of these gambling sites are picking Dortmund to win.
Thomas Tuchel’s men humiliated Spurs earlier in the competition and Liverpool could suffer a similar fate unless they improve defensively. Klopp’s side have been erratic at the back all season and will have to deal with one of the best attacks in the world right now.
The likes of Mkhitaryan, Reus, and Aubameyang are second only to the Barcelona trio on current form.
Dortmund 3-1 Liverpool
Read: Borussia Dortmund vs Liverpool: Preview, Team News, Lineups & Streaming
Athletic Bilbao vs Sevilla
Athletic Bilbao are going through a slump right now and have failed to win any of their last three matches.
However, considering Sevilla’s mixed away form, they will be confident of a result here. The Basque side have a great record against Sevilla and have won five a row against them at home.
Bilbao will need to work on their defence against Emery’s side. They’ve just managed two clean sheets in their last 11 matches in all competitions.
Sevilla will be looking to lift the trophy for the third year in a row. Unai Emery’s side are aware of their strengths and weaknesses and will look to get an away goal here.
Sevilla are phenomenal at home and will be fully confident of overturning any deficit on home soil.
Athletic Bilbao 2-2 Sevilla
Villarreal vs Sparta Prague
Villarreal take on Sparta in the Europa League this week and the Spanish giants will be hoping for a favourable result in the first leg of the quarter-finals. Villarreal
Villarreal have lost just once in their last eight home games in all competitions and are favourites to progress against Sparta. The Spanish outfit have also won their five home Europa League games this season, keeping a clean sheet in each match.
Sparta Prague have been very inconsistent away from home and have lost 5 of their last 11 away games.
However, they have done really well in the Europa and are unbeaten away from home in Europe this term. It will be a tricky fixture for Villarreal but they should be able to come out on top.
Villarreal 1-0 Sparta
Braga vs Shakhtar Donetsk
Braga take on Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa league later this week and the Portuguese side will be looking to bounce back after their crushing defeat against Benfica earlier.
Despite their 5-1 defeat at the hands of Benfica, the Portuguese outfit have done well at home this season and are unbeaten in their five home Europa League matches.
Shakhtar will be full of confidence heading into this one. The Ukrainian giants secured an 8-1 win at the weekend and will be aiming for a win in the first leg of the tie.
Braga 1-2 Shakhtar
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