Sevilla have strong shout of stopping Klopp and Liverpool in Europa League final
Published:
Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | May 17, 2016
Liverpool v Sevilla
- 2015/16 Europa League final
- Wednesday, May 18th
- Kick-off time: 19:45 BST
- St Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland
- Live on BT Sport Europe, BT Sport Showcase and YouTube
Stats points to Sevilla history
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has never beaten the Bathtubs as a manager, and Sevilla are on course for a third consecutive Europa League title and fifth European competition success in a decade.
To oppose the Spanish side is very brave indeed despite poor domestic form as they are course and distance winners, previously beating final opposition from four different countries. Coral offer a tasty 21/10 price on Sevilla settling this Europa final in 90 minutes, and 11/10 on them lifting the trophy.
Anfield outfit Liverpool, who can join the Bathtubs on four UEFA Cup/Europa League successes with victory, are made odds-on 8/11 favourites to do just that and 7/5 chances in normal time. A draw, meanwhile, at 23/10 will mean at least an additional half-hour and possibly penalties (a match special of 5/1 is available for either side to win on spot-kicks).
Gameiro going great guns to worry Reds
A real threat to the Premier League side comes in the form of Sevilla striker Kevin Gameiro, who has scored seven in eight Europa outings this term. Odds of 13/8 say forward Gameiro, who is on standby for Euro 2016 hosts France this summer, will net again anytime.
There’s a special enhanced 5/1 wincast involving Gameiro grabbing a goal in 90 minutes and Sevilla winning in normal time, which is crying out to be taken advantage of.
If Bathtubs boss Unai Emery is bold enough to pair Gameiro with a partner up top, then that will be Basque Country-born target man Fernando Llorente. He offers a very different kind of threat to the diminutive Gameiro, and Llorente is a nifty 9/4 to chip in with a goal in 90 minutes.
Lallana the unlikely leading candidate for Liverpool
Here’s a stat that will shock punters and the red half of Merseyside; England midfielder Adam Lallana is Reds top scorer in the Europa League with three. Featuring in all but two of Liverpool’s 14 outings in this competition, he has certainly had plenty of chances.
A goal in a big game like this final would go some distance to silence Lallana’s critics, and he is an 11/4 anytime chance. Klopp has some tactical choices to make ahead of this match, such as who to select up front.
If Daniel Sturridge gets the nod, then the alternative 4/1 wincast for a goal from him and a Reds victory in 90 minutes is certainly worthy of merit. Shorter at 6/4 anytime, there is more to like about false nine option Roberto Firmino in that market at 7/4.
Team news
This Europa League final may come too soon for Divock Origi, but Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson could be involved, and is 5/1 to lead by example with a goal here.
Sevilla are definitely without winger Michael Krohn-Dehli and defensive duo Benoit Tremoulinas and Marco Andreolli, while club captain Jose Antonio Reyes has a chance of making it and the ex-Arsenal man is 7/2 to net anytime.
Punters seeking more novelty bets may wish to plump for a repeat of the 2005 Champions League final, when the Reds came from three goals down against AC Milan to draw 3-3. A repeat scoreline in 90 minutes against Sevilla is a 66/1 shot here.
Related
You’ll find more Europa League content on our dedicated page.
Coral’s top tip: Siding with Sevilla rewards punters with a tasty 21/10 price for victory in normal time.
