An unpredictable semi final between FC Porto and Villarreal. Two teams that have never met before, but with excellent stats this year. Only one will reach the final
Both teams crushed their opponents in the quarter finals, Villarreal going through Twente with an aggregate score of 8:2, FC Porto going through Spartak Moscow with an aggregate score of 10:3.
These two teams have never met in a UEFA club competition, giving this fixture suspense of the unknown. FC Porto reached this stage of the tournament after eliminating, Anderlecht, CSKA Moscow, and the mentioned above Spartak Moscow. Against Spanish teams, the team has a record of W11 D5 L18, from which W6 D3 L7 at home. As you can see Porto tends to lose more against Spanish clubs in their history. Porto are unbeaten in the last 4 home games in Europe this season scoring 10 goals so far.
Villarreal got to this stage of the tournament by eliminating, Napoli, Bayer Leverkusen and Twente. The team is unbeaten in 8 European matches, recording 7 victories and a draw since that loss to PAOK FC in the group stage. Villarreal hasn’t lost any of the last 6 travels in Europe, winning 3 of their visits and drawing the other 3. Villarreal has been only once on a semi-final of a major tournament such as this one, back in 2005/06 UEFA Champions league where they lost to Arsenal.
Previous home results in Europa league for FC Porto:
Porto v Sevilla 1:0
Porto v CSKA Moscow 2:1
Porto v Spartak Moscow 5:1
Previous away games in Europa league for Villarreal:
Napoli v Villarreal 0:0
Bayer Leverkusen v Villarreal 2:3
Twente v Villarreal 1:3
It’s a very close call and this game would be very unpredictable. However a suspension mentioned by UEFA can take out Nilmar and Cazorla out of the first leg. The question was raised when both players deliberately picked up yellow cards in the first leg against Twente, winning 5:1 at home.
I would back FC Porto in this game, mainly because the team is in a great shape. Although Villarreal is a worthy opponent a minimal victory in Portugal is a must for the Dragons.
Recommended Bet:
 |
FC Porto to win @ 1.61 | Place a Bet at Bet365 |
