Sports Blog 18/05/2016: UEFA Europa League Final Preview – Liverpool vs Sevilla, Wednesday 18th May 2016

After an indifferent domestic run Liverpool will be aiming to end on a high when they face Sevilla in the Europa League final in Basel.

Jurgen Klopp hasn’t had the easiest ride since taking over the reins at Anfield back in October. Their 8th place finish is the side’s worst since 2011/12, whilst a limp FA Cup campaign saw them exit in the 4th round. Even the League Cup was bittersweet, their final appearance spoilt by a penalties defeat at the hands of Manchester City just days before beating Pellegrini’s lot 3-0 in the league.



Initially Liverpool looked just as lustreless in the Europa League, with a string of snooze-worthy draws and meagre victories against second rate sides. Things changed, however, in the last 16. A 3-1 win over Manchester United (the first time the rivals had met in Europe) set up a tantalising quarter-final against Klopp’s old club Borussia Dortmund. Drawing 1-1 in Germany Dortmund took complete control of the game at Anfield, up 3-1 with just over half an hour to go. But with the spirit of Istanbul in their hearts Liverpool fought back, and after pulling level Dejan Lovren’s injury time winner propelled the side into the semis. Once again Liverpool stepped up, and having lost to Villarreal 1-0 in Spain a comprehensive 3-0 win at Anfield saw the side booking their flights to Basel.



Like Liverpool Sevilla weren’t at their best in the league this season, finishing in 7th place, 8 points behind 6th place Celta Vigo and a whopping 39 behind La Liga champions Barcelona. However the side have found solace elsewhere, ending their season with 2 finals in 1 week. Before they face Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey on Sunday however, Los Rojiblancos will appear in their 5th Europe League final of the past decade. No side has ever won, or appeared in, as many Europe League finals as the Spanish club; nor has there ever been a side to win 3 in a row, something Sevilla would achieve with a victory in Switzerland. They also have the top scorer left in the competition, Kevin Gameiro’s 7 goals leaving him with a Super Mega PGM of 32-38.

Whilst that is a formidable record to come up against, Liverpool have arguably looked the better side in the competition this season. And, unlike Sevilla, the Reds go into the final having nothing else to focus on but victory. Our Spreadex traders seem to think they just about have what it takes, offering a Liverpool/Sevilla Goal Supremacy spread of 0.2-0.4 with a Total Goals spread of 2.65-2.85.

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