Villarreal vs Liverpool Odds: UCL Semis Preview

Reds Carry Two-Goal Edge into Second Leg in Spain

Villarreal vs Liverpool: All or Nothing

Liverpool or Villarreal will be sent packing from the Champions League on Tuesday, but it’s Jurgen Klopp’s Reds who have a two-goal advantage heading into the second leg of the semifinals. The Villarreal vs Liverpool odds favor the Reds, but Villarreal have already pulled off a couple shock results in this season’s UCL.

Liverpool come into this match unbeaten in five previous road matches in the Champions League this season.

Villarreal vs Liverpool Preview

Location: El Madrigal, Villarreal, Spain
Date & Time: Tuesday 3 p.m. ET
TV: Paramount+, FuboTV, TUDN

Head-to-Head

All Meetings:

  • April 2022: Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal
  • May 2016: Liverpool 3-0 Villarreal
  • April 2016: Villarreal 1-0 Liverpool

The Villarreal vs Liverpool odds strongly favored the Reds in the first leg and Klopp’s side picked up a comfortable 2-0 win last Wednesday at Anfield. Jordan Henderson’s deflected cross made its way past Villarreal keeper Geronimo Rulli for the first goal and Sadio Mane found the back of the net two minutes later to seal it.

The only other two meetings between these sides came in the semifinal of the 2016 Europa League. Liverpool overturned a deficit in the second leg to advance to the final, where they eventually fell to current Villarreal manager Unai Emery and Sevilla.

Liverpool: One Foot in the Final

  • Form (All Competitions): W,W,W,W,W
  • Injuries and Suspensions: F Divock Origi (illness), F Roberto Firmino (ankle)

Liverpool have had to grind out results in recent weeks but are still on course for an incredible quadruple. The Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup could all be theirs this season, but the former two will be difficult to pull off. It appears that their biggest competitor in both is Manchester City.

Naby Keita scored as Liverpool defeated Newcastle 1-0 in a hard-fought match at St James’ Park on Saturday. A Man City win, however, meant that the Citizens remained one point ahead of Liverpool in the Premier League table. Man City defeated Real Madrid last week 4-3 in the first leg of their UCL knockout tie, and we could be on a collision course for the fourth meeting between Liverpool and City this season in the Champions League final if both teams hold their leads.

Klopp rested Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold vs Newcastle at the weekend and both should be fresh for Tuesday’s match. Liverpool remain unbeaten on the road in 2022 and taking them away from home has been one of the best UEFA Champions League betting tips this season.

Can Villarreal Turn it Around?

  • Form (All Competitions): L,L,W,W,D
  • Injuries and Suspensions: D Alberto Moreno (ACL), F Gerard Moreno (hamstring)

Looking ahead to Tuesday’s match vs Liverpool, Emery made eight changes to Villarreal’s squad as they took on a struggling Alaves. Alaves started Saturday in last place but that didn’t stop them from getting a 2-1 win over Villarreal.

Not many conclusions can be drawn from the result as Emery knows Villarreal’s last hope of making next season’s Champions League is by winning this season’s edition. It’ll take a huge effort to overcome the two-goal deficit, but this isn’t a team short on belief. The Yellow Submarine beat both Arsenal and Manchester United last season to win the Europa League and can’t be counted out just yet.

Arnaut Danjuma has stepped up in big moments this season and he and Samuel Chukwueze will be counted upon Tuesday, especially since Gerard Moreno will likely miss Tuesday’s match due to a hamstring injury. The Villarreal vs Liverpool odds peg the hosts as underdogs but they’re accustomed to that position.

What to Watch

Liverpool aren’t typically fond of sitting back and I don’t expect that to be the case here. Klopp will likely want his side to push for a couple of goals to put Villarreal away. For Villarreal, the pickings could be slim, but they’ll feel that they can turn this around if they take whatever chances come their way.

The UEFA Champions League odds list Liverpool as -140 favorites and the over/under goal total is set at three. In each of their previous meetings, three or fewer goals have been scored and there have been shutout wins in each.

Villarreal are priced at -210 to get on the scoresheet in this match. Last weekend’s 2-0 loss was just the second time they’ve been shut out in the UCL this season. No matter the result, this should be an excellent high-stakes match.

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