Liverpool vs Villarreal Prediction and Betting Odds | Champions League April 27
Liverpool vs Villarreal Betting Preview
WagerTalk soccer handicapper Kevin Dolan offers his Liverpool vs Villarreal betting preview for Wednesday, April 27 in the UEFA Champions League semifinals. Liverpool has gone 6-0 accumulating 18 points in the UEFA Champions League and Villarreal has gone 3-1-2 with 10 points.
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| Wednesday, April 27 | UEFA Champions League Betting Notes |
|---|---|
| Liverpool: | -314 |
| Villarreal: | +863 |
| Draw: | +443 |
| Total: | 3 Goals (Odds Above Courtesy of DraftKings) |
| Game Time: | 3:00pm ET / 12:00pm PT |
Liverpool vs Villarreal Analysis
Giant killers Villarreal head over to Anfield on Wednesday night fresh off disposing of Juventus and Bayern Munich over the previous two rounds, but arguably face their toughest test to date against a Liverpool side in absolutely ruthless form over 2022.
The Reds are juggling a full plate right now with the EPL title race in full swing, an FA Cup final looming against Chelsea in a couple of weeks also, and undoubtedly what is the gold standard of club football, the Champions League taking place this week as well.
Liverpool knocked Villarreal out of the 2015/16 Europa League via a 3-1 aggregate scoreline the last time these two teams faced each other in European competition.
England Is Villarreal’s Kryptonite
After an unsuccessful stint with Arsenal a few years ago over in England, Unai Emery likely won’t be in any rush to return here as Villarreal have a woeful record against English clubs on the road in Europe over recent seasons, having won none of their last eight visits here (D3, L5).
However, with a highly impressive victory over one of the favorites for this competition Bayern Munich in the last round and with Emery successfully guiding his teams from 31 of his 37 European knockout ties as well, the ‘Yellow Submarine’ will no doubt be hopeful they can break that English losing streak here against Liverpool.
Liverpool’s Pedigree At This Stage Of The Competition
While there’s no denying Villarreal’s strong pedigree in European competition over recent seasons, Liverpool are arguably the masters at this stage of the Champions League/European Cup, progressing from nine of the eleven Champions League semi-finals in which they’ve took part in.
The six time European winners have also been in scintillating form over 2022 also, with 15 of their 21 victories this calendar year coming by 2 goals or more, and with no team left in the competition averaging more shots on target than Liverpool have as well.
Liverpool vs Villarreal Prediction
Villarreal have shown consistently over recent seasons how they’re not to be underestimated at this stage of the competition, but there’s simply no denying Liverpool’s strength over 2022 as a whole.
The Estadio de la Ceramica has proven to be a fortress for the Spaniards in Europe over recent years so Liverpool will be eager to try and kill off this tie in the first leg on Wednesday by putting it out of sight at Anfield.
Klopp was careful in his management of big game players in Sunday’s win over Everton, pulling Sadio Mane off at around the 60th minute mark as he looks to keep players fresh ahead of this pivotal semi-final.
The Reds should prove too strong on Wednesday for Villarreal as while the Spanish side always set-up incredibly well defensively under Emery, Juventus could and should have scored at least two goals against them over in Turin with Bayern Munich similarly wasteful in possession in the last round also, outshooting Villarreal 24 shots to 4 in Munich only to come up short.
If Villarreal allow this Liverpool team those same type of chances here on Wednesday, especially in the goalscoring form that they’re in right now, both Sadio Mane and Mo Salah will take full advantage, and it’s likely going to be a tough night for the current Europa League champions over in Liverpool.
Take Liverpool on the -1.5 handicap line for Wednesday to win and cover against Villarreal in the second of this week’s Champions League semi-finals.
Prediction: Liverpool -1.5
Stoppage Time | April 27
Who will book their ticket to the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League and Europa League finals? Join Carmine Bianco, Kevin Dolan, Pavlos Laguretos, and Nick Borrman for Stoppage Time at 10am ET / 7am PT on Tuesday as we break down this week’s featured European matches, including Manchester City vs Real Madrid and Liverpool vs Villarreal in the Champions League, plus West Ham vs Eintracht Frankfurt and Leicester vs Roma in the Europa League.
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Meet the Author
‘The sharpest sports mind in Ireland’ is how one prominent newspaper dubbed Kevin Dolan after he became the first foreigner ever to win the World Series of Handicapping tournament back in 2015. “The Irishman” made his start wagering on GAA, football, soccer and boxing, all to immense success. Since becoming a professional bettor, he has since lit up the sports betting scene in the U.S. and abroad, winning two handicapping awards and writing a best-selling book on sports handicapping named ‘The Complete Guide to Sports Betting’.
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