Villarreal vs Liverpool Prediction and Preview – 28/04/16

Europa League preview – Villarreal vs Liverpool prediction.

Sergio Ajenso kept a clean sheet for Villarreal at the weekend and may retain his place in goal ahead of Alphonse Areola. Head coach Marcelino could have full-back Jaume Costa available after he returned to training this week. Striker Leo Baptista has mainly been used as a substitute this season and is in danger of missing out altogether after straining his hamstring. Secondary striker Nahuel Leiva received treatment over the weekend which could leave Adrian as cover for the strike partnership of Roberto Soldado and Cedric Bakambu.

Liverpool will be without striker Divock Origi who began making a name for himself in the earlier rounds of this competition. Jurgen Klopp is also missing influential midfielders Jordan Henderson and Emre Can. Full-back Nathaniel Clyne and attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho are expected to return to the side while central defender Mamadou Sakho is waiting to hear if he will be suspended while UEFA investigates an alleged anti-doping violation.

Possible Line-ups

Villarreal 4-4-2 formation: Asenjo; Gaspar, Bailly, Ruiz, Rukavina; Castillejo, Bruno, Pina, Suarez; Soldado, Bakumba

Liverpool 4-3-3 formation: Mignolet; Clyne, Toure, Lovren, Moreno; Allen, Leiva, Milner; Coutinho, Sturridge, Firminho

Statistics

• Villarreal have won 4 drawn 3 and lost 3 of their last 10 matches
• Liverpool have won 5 drawn 4 and lost 1 of their last 10 matches
• Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Villarreal have scored an average of 1.5 goals and conceded an average of 1.5 goals per game
• Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Liverpool have scored an average of 2.3 goals and conceded an average of 1.3 goals per game
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 7 of Villarreal’s previous 10 matches
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 6 of Liverpool’s previous 10 matches

Villarreal vs Liverpool Prediction 

Villarreal have not won in three games since defeating Sparta Prague 4-2 in the Czech capital in the quarter-finals two weeks ago. Marcelino’s side played a goalless draw at home to Real Sociedad on Saturday which followed away defeats at Rayo Vallecano (2-1) and Real Madrid (3-0). Villarreal have played six games at home in this season’s Europa League, winning them all while conceding just one goal.   Liverpool have won two and drawn one since the dramatic comeback to beat Borussia Dortmund 4-3 in the quarter-final second leg at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp rested some of his key players for the visit of Newcastle on Saturday which looked to have backfired when letting slip a two-goal lead to share the points. Liverpool are undefeated so far in this competition but have drawn five of the six away games. Liverpool are on a high at the moment and will be quietly confident of finishing the job at Anfield if they return with their sixth away draw in this season’s competition.

Villarreal vs Liverpool Tips

Draw at 12/5 with bet365 Under 2.5 goals at 8/11 with Marathonbet Correct Score 1-1 at 11/2 with BetVictor Click here to see more Europa League previews, predictions and tips