Europa League preview and odds: Sevilla vs Athletic Club

Published on: 11/04/2016

Europa League preview and odds: Sevilla vs Athletic Club

April 14, 2016 21:05pm - Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan

Europa League - Quarter-final second leg (2-1)

Sevilla are on course for yet another Europa League semi-final as they take a 2-1 into the home leg of their tie against Spanish rivals Athletic Club.

Sevilla in driving seat

Sevilla continued their defence of their Europa League crown with an impressive 2-1 win away from home against Athletic Club de Bilbao. With a one goal advantage and two away goals in the bag, the Andalusian side are now hot favourites to make it to the last four.

Unai Emery`s men have won their last 12 home matches in this tournament, having conceded just four goals in the process. However, they come into this game on the back of their third-straight defeat in the Spanish league (2-1 away to Valencia).

Los Rojiblancos are aiming for their fourth UEFA second-tier title and their third in a row overall.

Uphill task for Athletic Club

After failing to take the initiative on home soil last week, the Basque Country club now faces the difficult task of overcoming a deficit away to one of Spain`s most in-form home teams.

In their last away match in this competition, Los Leones were beaten 2-1 by fellow Spaniards Valencia. However, on that occasion, they progressed on away goals after winning the first leg 1-0.

Prior to that defeat, they had won three-straight Europa League away games in a row against Partizan, Augsburg and Marseilles.

Last time out, Ernesto Valverde`s men edged to a 1-0 win in the league at home to relegation-threatened Rayo Vallecano.

Team news

Nicolas Pareja, Daniel Carricoa and Marco Andreolli will all be missing for the home side. Meanwhile, the visitors will have to cope without the injured trio of Sabin, Aymeric Laporte and Ibai.

Recent form (All competitions)

Sevilla: WWLLW

Athletic Club: WLDLL

Betting odds and tips

Sevilla are in a great position and may just sit back and catch their opponents on the break. In addition, they have won 16 of their last 17 home matches in all competitions and seem right at home in this competition.

You can back Sevilla to win the second leg at 10/11 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 11/04/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (11/04/2016 17:42:24) but are subject to change.