Liverpool vs Villarreal betting tips: Champions League semi-final first leg preview, predictions and odds
Alcacer, Paco
Origi, Divock
Gomez, Joe
Jota, Diogo
Keita, Naby
Dia, Boulaye
Trigueros, Manu
Aurier, Serge
Pedraza, Alfonso
Recommended bets
Under 2.5 goals and both teams to score NO is 7/4.
Liverpool to win and both teams to score NO is 11/10.
Liverpool to win and under 2.5 goals is 11/4.
Match preview
STADIO GIUSEPPE MEAZZA, MILANO, ITALY – 2022/02/16: Thiago Alcântara of Liverpool Fc looks on during the Uefa Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Fc Internazionale and Liverpool Fc . Liverpool Fc wins 2-0 over Fc Internazionale. (Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Will Liverpool stay on course for a tenth European Cup Final as they, ultimately, bid to become European champions for the seventh time?
To a certain extend, Jürgen Klopp’s side have cruised through to the semi-finals, first winning all six group matches against Atlético Madrid, Porto and A.C. Milan.
They’ve subsequently dumped out Internazionale and Benfica, building up substantial first leg leads away, thereby making the return games at home a near-formality.
This time though, the Reds start on Merseyside, but the formulae stays the same as they’ll hope to take an insurmountable advantage to Spain next Tuesday.
Of course, Liverpool could still become the first men’s English team to win the quadruple with three trophies up for grabs next month.
Last week, in the space of eight days, the Reds beat Manchester City in an FA Cup semi-final, before home wins over their biggest rivals Manchester United and Everton.
On Sunday, they were frustrated for so long, but Andy Robertson broke the deadlock before super sub Divock Origi secured a 2-0 derby day win.
This leaves Liverpool one point behind Man City, and win an FA Cup Final against Chelsea to look forward to.
In contrast to their illustrious hosts, Villarreal’s run to just a second-ever Champions League semi-final has been a fairytale.
El Submarino Amarillo only got into the competition by lifting last season’s Europa League, defeating Man United in the final to win their first piece of major silverware.
However, they’ve fully grasped the opportunity, knocking out Atalanta, Juventus and then Bayern Munich to get this far.
Against the Bundesliga champions, with the score 1-1 on aggregate, Samu Chukwueze smashed home a last-minute winner, thereby silencing the Allianz Arena.
Head Coach Unai Emery has now won 22 of his last 24 two-legged knockout ties, with both defeats coming as PSG boss.
The four-times Europa League winning manager is now dreaming of taking this provincial Spanish club to a first-ever European Cup Final.
The visitors will be well-rested as this is their first game for eight days.
Last Tuesday, Arnaut Danjuma’s brace downed Valencia 2-0 in Derbi de la Comunitat, but they remain seventh in La Liga, nine points off fourth.
Having already won at Juventus and drawn in Munich, can Villarreal spring an even bigger surprise at Anfield?
Liverpool team news
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 02: Ibrahima Konaté of Liverpool looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Liverpool and Norwich City at Anfield on March 2, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
With Jürgen Klopp’s team fighting on three fronts, the game are coming thick and fast so some rotation is required.
Ibrahima Konaté is expected to return at centre-back, displacing Joël Matip, as Virgil van Dijk’s partner.
The Frenchman has scored headers from corner the last three times he has started, twice against Benfica and against Man City at Wembley.
Fabinho and Thiago are virtual ever-presents in midfield, with Jordan Henderson and Naby Keïta battling it out for the third place.
In attack, Klopp has five, possibly six if you include wildcard Divock Origi, players vying for just three spots.
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané always start but, on the left-wing, Luis Díaz could get the nod over Diogo Jota this time.
Roberto Firmino missed the Merseyside derby due to an injury, but could be back for this one.
Villarreal team news
BERGAMO, ITALY – DECEMBER 09: Arnaut Danjuma of Villarreal celebrates his second goal with his team-mate Alberto Moreno (R) during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Atalanta and Villarreal at Gewiss Stadium on December 09, 2021 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
As mentioned, Villarreal haven’t played for over a week and are very much out of top four contention domestically.
So, it’s full focus on this competition for Unai Emery’s team.
Former Liverpool left-back Alberto Moreno is out long-term, meaning Pervis Estupiñán will continue to deputise.
A bigger blow is the absence of Gerard Moreno, who’s season has been blighted by injury and he’s likely to miss both legs of this tie too.
So, Arnaut Danjuma, who’s scored 16 goals this season, including six in the Champions League, will continue to lead the line.
Giovani Lo Celso, who’s been sparkling since arriving from Tottenham on loan in January, will be in support.
Other former Premier League players who could start include Juan Foyth, Étienne Capoue, Francis Coquelin and Dani Parejo.
Manu Trigueros and Mario Gasper both featured when Villarreal last visited Anfield for a Europa League semi-final six years ago.
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Southampton FC vs Liverpool FC - 1:2
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Chelsea FC vs Liverpool FC - 0:0
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Aston Villa vs Liverpool FC - 1:2
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Liverpool FC vs Tottenham Hotspur - 1:1
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Villarreal CF vs Liverpool FC - 2:3
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Latest match form, last 5 games: |
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Villarreal CF vs Real Sociedad San Sebastian - 1:2
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Rayo Vallecano vs Villarreal CF - 1:5
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Villarreal CF vs Sevilla FC - 1:1
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Villarreal CF vs Liverpool FC - 2:3
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Deportivo Alaves vs Villarreal CF - 2:1
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May 17, 2022 | Premier League 21/22 | Southampton FC | 1 - 2 | Liverpool FC |
May 14, 2022 | FA Cup 21/22 | Chelsea FC | 0 - 0 | Liverpool FC |
May 10, 2022 | Premier League 21/22 | Aston Villa | 1 - 2 | Liverpool FC |
May 7, 2022 | Premier League 21/22 | Liverpool FC | 1 - 1 | Tottenham Hotspur |
May 3, 2022 | UEFA Champions League 21/22 | Villarreal CF | 2 - 3 | Liverpool FC |
May 15, 2022 | LaLiga 21/22 | Villarreal CF | 1 - 2 | Real Sociedad San Sebastian |
May 12, 2022 | LaLiga 21/22 | Rayo Vallecano | 1 - 5 | Villarreal CF |
May 8, 2022 | LaLiga 21/22 | Villarreal CF | 1 - 1 | Sevilla FC |
May 3, 2022 | UEFA Champions League 21/22 | Villarreal CF | 2 - 3 | Liverpool FC |
April 30, 2022 | LaLiga 21/22 | Deportivo Alaves | 2 - 1 | Villarreal CF |
Liverpool FC | Villarreal CF | |
---|---|---|
14 | Matches played | 14 |
10 | Matches won | 5 |
183 | Goal attempts | 108 |
75 | Shots on goal | 47 |
64 | Shots off goal | 39 |
86 | Corner kicks | 41 |
51% | Average ball possession | 41% |
44 | Shots blocked | 22 |
14 | Cards given | 26 |
163 | Free kicks | 166 |
25 | Offsides | 17 |
1 | Shots on post | 2 |
5 | Shots on bar | 7 |
22 | Goals by foot | 17 |
6 | Goals by head | 3 |
30 | Goals scored | 20 |
13 | Goals conceded | 16 |
Liverpool FC | Villarreal CF | |
---|---|---|
4 | Matches | 4 |
2 | Home Matches | 2 |
2 | Away Matches | 2 |
8 | Total Goals | 3 |
2 | Average Goals Scored | 0.75 |
3 | Wins | 1 |
1 | Losses | 3 |
0 | Draws | 0 |
May 3, 2022 | UEFA Champions League 21/22 | Villarreal CF | 2 - 3 | Liverpool FC |
April 27, 2022 | UEFA Champions League 21/22 | Liverpool FC | 2 - 0 | Villarreal CF |
May 5, 2016 | UEFA Europa League 15/16 | Liverpool FC | 3 - 0 | Villarreal CF |
April 28, 2016 | UEFA Europa League 15/16 | Villarreal CF | 1 - 0 | Liverpool FC |
Premier League table:
# | Team | MP | W | D | L | F | A | D | P |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Manchester City | 37 | 28 | 6 | 3 | 96 | 24 | 72 | 90 |
2 | Liverpool FC | 37 | 27 | 8 | 2 | 91 | 25 | 66 | 89 |
3 | Chelsea FC | 36 | 20 | 10 | 6 | 73 | 31 | 42 | 70 |
4 | Tottenham Hotspur | 37 | 21 | 5 | 11 | 64 | 40 | 24 | 68 |
5 | Arsenal FC | 37 | 21 | 3 | 13 | 56 | 47 | 9 | 66 |
6 | Manchester United | 37 | 16 | 10 | 11 | 57 | 56 | 1 | 58 |
7 | West Ham United | 37 | 16 | 8 | 13 | 59 | 48 | 11 | 56 |
8 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 37 | 15 | 6 | 16 | 37 | 40 | -3 | 51 |
9 | Leicester City | 36 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 57 | 57 | 0 | 48 |
10 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 37 | 11 | 15 | 11 | 39 | 43 | -4 | 48 |
11 | Brentford FC | 37 | 13 | 7 | 17 | 47 | 54 | -7 | 46 |
12 | Newcastle United | 37 | 12 | 10 | 15 | 42 | 61 | -19 | 46 |
13 | Crystal Palace | 36 | 10 | 15 | 11 | 47 | 43 | 4 | 45 |
14 | Aston Villa | 36 | 13 | 5 | 18 | 49 | 50 | -1 | 44 |
15 | Southampton FC | 37 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 42 | 63 | -21 | 40 |
16 | Everton FC | 36 | 10 | 6 | 20 | 39 | 59 | -20 | 36 |
17 | Leeds United | 37 | 8 | 11 | 18 | 40 | 78 | -38 | 35 |
18 | Burnley FC | 36 | 7 | 13 | 16 | 32 | 50 | -18 | 34 |
19 | Watford FC | 37 | 6 | 5 | 26 | 33 | 75 | -42 | 23 |
20 | Norwich City | 37 | 5 | 7 | 25 | 23 | 79 | -56 | 22 |
La Liga table:
# | Team | MP | W | D | L | F | A | D | P |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Real Madrid | 37 | 26 | 7 | 4 | 80 | 31 | 49 | 85 |
2 | FC Barcelona | 37 | 21 | 10 | 6 | 68 | 36 | 32 | 73 |
3 | Atletico Madrid | 37 | 20 | 8 | 9 | 63 | 42 | 21 | 68 |
4 | Sevilla FC | 37 | 17 | 16 | 4 | 52 | 30 | 22 | 67 |
5 | Real Betis Seville | 37 | 19 | 7 | 11 | 62 | 40 | 22 | 64 |
6 | Real Sociedad San Sebastian | 37 | 17 | 11 | 9 | 39 | 35 | 4 | 62 |
7 | Villarreal CF | 37 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 61 | 37 | 24 | 56 |
8 | Athletic Bilbao | 37 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 43 | 35 | 8 | 55 |
9 | CA Osasuna | 37 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 37 | 49 | -12 | 47 |
10 | RC Celta de Vigo | 37 | 12 | 10 | 15 | 43 | 41 | 2 | 46 |
11 | Valencia CF | 37 | 10 | 15 | 12 | 46 | 53 | -7 | 45 |
12 | Rayo Vallecano | 37 | 11 | 9 | 17 | 37 | 46 | -9 | 42 |
13 | Espanyol Barcelona | 37 | 10 | 11 | 16 | 40 | 53 | -13 | 41 |
14 | Getafe CF | 37 | 8 | 15 | 14 | 32 | 38 | -6 | 39 |
15 | Elche CF | 37 | 10 | 9 | 18 | 37 | 51 | -14 | 39 |
16 | Granada CF | 37 | 8 | 13 | 16 | 44 | 61 | -17 | 37 |
17 | RCD Mallorca | 37 | 9 | 9 | 19 | 34 | 63 | -29 | 36 |
18 | Cadiz CF | 37 | 7 | 15 | 15 | 34 | 51 | -17 | 36 |
19 | Levante UD | 37 | 7 | 11 | 19 | 47 | 74 | -27 | 32 |
20 | Deportivo Alaves | 37 | 8 | 7 | 22 | 31 | 64 | -33 | 31 |
What time is kick off between Liverpool FC vs Villarreal CF?
19:00, Wednesday 27 April 2022