Villarreal will be the host to Liverpool in a second-leg Champions League semifinal match that might seem like a formality but could end up surprising many around the football world. With that said, it’s a good time to check out our Champions League odds series, which includes our Liverpool-Villarreal prediction and pick we have laid out below.
Liverpool won the first game handily, beating out the Spanish team by a 2-0 scoreline that could have been more. Villarreal looked poor at times and definitely showed that, when they are not playing perfectly, the Yellow Submarine are nowhere near close to the quality of the top European teams. Still, a 2-0 lead is not something that is guaranteed, especially in the Estadio de la Ceramica, which will be hosting this game. Neutrals might be wary, due to the first leg scoreline, but this will be an exciting match.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Villarreal-Liverpool Champions League odds.
Champions League Odds: Villarreal-Liverpool Odds
Villareal: (+390)
Liverpool: (-145)
Draw: (+300)
Over: 2.5 (-152)
Under: 2.5 (+126)
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Why Villarreal Could Win This Match
Effectively, this game might be the end of the season for Villarreal. Obviously, they have more games to play in their domestic league, but Villarreal's La Liga campaign has suffered a lot due to their Champions League run. Theoretically, they can still be in the Europa League next season, with some domestic wins and a few results going their way, or they could end up losing their seventh spot and missing out on European football completely.
Due to the fact that this is their game of the season, Villarreal's players will be ready to play noticeably better than in the first game. Granted, it is tough to see them playing worse, but Villarreal have been a different beast at their home stadium. Only two of their 10 defeats have been at home, including one against Barcelona, and in the Champions League, their only home loss came against Manchester United, but even that was due to two late goals.
Unai Emery's men will be playing for everything in this match. If they manage to pull off another miracle and beat Liverpool by two goals or more, they will have a historic chance to bring a town of just 50,000 people a Champions League title. They have a solid team, fast attackers who can punish teams that are overtly offensive, and if they play without the pressure of the mighty Anfield, Villarreal has a fighting chance in them.
Why Liverpool Could Win This Match
This is not a huge lead, but a 2-0 win in the first leg in a matchup that is so one-sided, like this one, might mean a ticket to Paris in late May. Liverpool played an amazing game by all parameters, except their finishing. It took a massive mistake by goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli to open the gates for Liverpool, and even then they only managed to score one against a visibly shocked Villarreal team. Still, the lead is solid and Liverpool should have no issues defending it in Spain.
Now, of course, that does not mean that they will not have to work hard for it, but Liverpool have such a great team at their disposal that it should be apparent from the first minute that the English representatives are a better side. The talents of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and either Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino, or Luis Diaz (whoever Jurgen Klopp decides to field) should be enough to get rid of this pesky Villarreal squad and their miracle run to this part of the competition. Combine that with the stability of the backline led by Virgil van Dijk, and Liverpool should not only win this game but the final as well, regardless of the opposition.
Finally, with the 2-2 draw against Manchester City a few weeks back, Liverpool likely lost the title in England, so this is their only chance to win a major title this season. Of course, it will not be easy, but as said above, their team is so good that they should be considered the favorite. A lot of other factors, like form, also come into account, but the main reason why Liverpool is winning this match and possibly the final is the overbearing strength of their squad.
Final Villarreal-Liverpool Prediction and Pick
It was a nice run for Villarreal and one that will be remembered, but they will be on the losing end of this match. Liverpool just seems too strong for anyone at this point in the season. Our final Villarreal-Liverpool prediction is a Liverpool win at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
Final Villarreal-Liverpool pick: Liverpool (-145)
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