Liverpool Vs Villarreal
Liverpool Vs Villarreal Wednesday 27 April, 2022 – 20:00 (BST)
UEFA Champions League (semi-finals)
Pick: Liverpool Win To Nil
Odds: 23/20
Bookmaker: BetVictor
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 25 April 2022)
Preview: Six-time winners Liverpool, bidding to reach their third Champions League final in five seasons, are all that stands between Villarreal and participating in a maiden European final. Can Jurgen Klopp’s men establish a sizeable first-leg advantage at Anfield ahead of the return fixture in Spain?
UEFA Champions League Betting at Betfair
Table of Contents
Liverpool – Reds won’t take this particular Anfield assignment lightly?
On Wednesday, in the first leg of their third Champions League semi-final in five seasons, Liverpool will set out to achieve something that has so far eluded them in this season’s competition: win at Anfield in the knockout stages. Inter Milan (1-0 win) and Benfica (drew 3-3) enjoyed varying degrees of success at this ground, although the crucial difference both times was a healthy first-leg advantage for the Reds.
Klopp also made wholesale changes for the visit of Benfica, something that is unlikely to be repeated. Meanwhile, in the group stage, the Reds recorded three wins out of three on Merseyside as part of a flawless campaign. Those wins, over AC Milan (3-2), Atletico Madrid and Porto (both 2-0), are more indicative of what we might see on Wednesday from a side now into outright favourites to lift the trophy.
Key Stat: In this season’s competition, Liverpool have either scored two or more (four times) or none at all across their five home games. They only managed two clean sheets in these games, both in 2-0 scorelines, against Atletico Madrid and FC Porto.
Villarreal – Yellow Subs determined to sink another favourite?
Making only a second ever appearance in the last four of the Champions League, Villarreal will hope momentum garnered from their scalps of Juventus and Bayern Munich can inspire them to a third successive underdog victory in this season’s knockout rounds. In order for that to happen, however, they must overcome English opposition, something they have historically struggled to do through the years.
The Yellow Submarine are the surprise package of this year’s edition. Having finished a point off Manchester United to finish second in group play, the Spanish side, who are currently only seventh in La Liga, then went and removed a pair of former winners from the competition. Scorelines of 3-0 and 1-1, in Italy and Germany respectively, recent evidence of the threat they will pose on only their second visit to Anfield.
Key Stat: Villarreal last won away to English opposition in 2005, beating Liverpool’s Merseyside rivals Everton 2-1 in a Champions League qualifying play-off. In eight subsequent visits to England, the Spanish outfit have come away with three draws and five defeats.
Don’t miss out on other Betting Tips & Predictions
Click here for more Betting Tips
Liverpool Vs Villarreal Betting Advice
Unsurprisingly, Liverpool are slim odds to extract a first-leg victory in what is essentially a meeting between sides currently second in the English Premier League and one that is languishing seventh in Spain’s La Liga. However, Juventus and Bayern Munich probably expected an easy ride when they were drawn to face Unai Emery’s men, both instead humbled by a Villarreal unbeaten in four European away matches (W3 D1).
Liverpool Vs Villarreal – Key Facts:
- The clubs were drawn together for only a second time, lasting meeting in the last four of the 2015/16 Europa League. On that occasion, the team on hosting duties prevailed each time with Liverpool 3-0 victors at Anfield.
- Liverpool still await their first home win in this season’s knockout rounds though. Meanwhile, Villarreal are unbeaten across their four previous away European matches (W3 D1).
- Reds defender Ibrahima Konate popped up with vital headed goals in both games of Liverpool’s quarter-final tie versus Benfica. Both goals were the first of the game.
With the away goals rule abolished, the incentive for Villarreal to take risks isn’t readily apparent. We may therefore see a performance akin to that in Germany. Emery instructed his team to sit deep, remain compact, and chose their moments to counter. A patient approach from Liverpool, on a 12-game winning home run in the Premier League, nine of which without conceding, should yield a modest first-leg victory.
The visitors are also expected to be without leading scorer Gerard Moreno, which is a big blow.
Best Betting Odds – Liverpool Vs Villarreal
Liverpool – 2/7 (Bet365)
Draw – 9/2 (WilliamHill)
Villarreal – 11/1 (Coral)
