Prediction and odds for the game: Liverpool (2/7) vs Villarreal (9/1)

We are backing draw/Liverpool at odds of 10/3

When: Wednesday 27 April 2022, Kick-off 20:00

Where: Anfield

On Wednesday night, Liverpool and Villarreal clash at Anfield in the Champions League semi-final first leg.

Liverpool

The Reds recent fine form continued last time out in a hard-fought 2-0 win over Everton in the Merseyside derby. The win reduced the gap between Jurgen Klopp’s team and leaders Manchester City to just a point.

The victory over the Toffees means that Liverpool has recorded three straight wins, having also mounted an unbeaten run of ten matches in all competitions, eight of which they have won.

The Champions League has brought out the best in Liverpool in recent years. The men from Merseyside have been difficult to beat of late in Europe’s elite competition. They head into this clash on the back of just one defeat in their last 11 games in the competition. A record of eight wins from those 11 European matches is certainly a respectable one.

Surprisingly, Liverpool’s recent home record in the Champions League has been slightly inconsistent. The Reds have won just four of their last European matches at Anfield, failing to win either of their last two home games in the Champions League. However, they didn’t need to win the home games, as they already had healthy leads from their leg away wins.

Villarreal

The Yellow Submarine have enjoyed a slightly underwhelming domestic campaign in La Liga. Unai Emery’s team is currently in seventh place in the table, three points adrift of the European berths in the Spanish top-flight.

After an inconsistent campaign with plenty of highs and lows, it seems that Emery’s side has finally found a touch of consistency. The visitors head into this vital clash on the back of a five-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

A weekend 2-0 derby win over Valencia means that Villarreal has recorded back-to-back wins in La Liga.

While a top-six finish is still possible for the Yellow Submarine, they will be eying another shock victory in the Champions League. They have already seen off Juventus and Bayern Munich in the knockout stages, with the 2-1 aggregate win over Bayern a particularly impressive result.

Villarreal has been a tough opponent on their travels, as the Yellow Submarine are unbeaten in four away games in the Champions League, having recorded three wins and a draw.

Conclusion

Villarreal has beaten some big names in the Champions League this season. However, beating Liverpool is going to be a big task and maybe a step too far for Unai Emery’s team. The first bet we are backing is draw/Liverpool, as the home win offers little value.

This could be a high-scoring encounter, as Liverpool has been highly potent in attack of late, while Villarreal has looked like a dangerous attacking force on their travels in the Champions League. With that in mind, we are backing over 3.5 goals scored.

Our Tips: We are backing draw/Liverpool at odds of 10/3 and/or over 3.5 goals scored at odds of 6/4. (All odds are taken from Bet365).

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Will Liverpool’s recent good form continue or can Villarreal shock another European giant?