Thursday April 13, 20:05
Live on BT Sport Extra
If the last few seasons have taught us anything, it's that we should never dismiss Spanish sides in the Europa League. Sevilla have won the tournament in each of the last three campaigns, and in 2012 two La Liga sides did battle in the final, as Atletico Madrid overcame Bilbao's Athletic Club. If you include the UEFA Cup years, this trophy has been won by Spanish clubs in eight of the last 13 seasons.
Celta Vigo are the last team left flying that Spanish flag in this competition, and they have done superbly. They knocked out a very good Shakhtar Donetsk team in the last 32, albeit with a very questionable penalty, and they beat Krasnodar home and away in the last 16. A mid-table spot in La Liga is pretty much assured, so Eduardo Berizzo's side can fully focus on this competition.
Genk are one of two Belgian sides in the last eight, and they beat familiar opposition in the previous round. Having destroyed Tottenham's conquerors Gent 6-3 on aggregate, they are now aiming to build on what is already their best ever European campaign. They are on a remarkable goalscoring run on the road in this competition, having scored at least twice in each of their last seven UEL away games. It's also worth noting that they have banged in ten goals in their last five league games.
Celta are without injured strikers Giuseppe Rossi and John Guidetti, while midfield metronome Marcelo Diaz is still out. Genk have five senior players out, including Tino Susic and Marco Bizot.
Given Genk's free-scoring form, I think it's entirely possible that they will snatch an away goal in this one. Celta haven't kept a clean sheet at home since mid-February, and they have managed just one Europa League shut-out at Balaidos all season. Genk aren't to be trusted defensively either, having leaked 17 goals in eight UEL away matches this term.
Recommended Bet
Back Both Teams To Score at 1.98
0 nhận xét Blogger 0 Facebook
Post a Comment