Europa League quarter finals rematch preview (part 1)
The Europa League quarter-finals resume on Thursday with four exciting second-leg matches. All the ties remain close and the team managers will have to get their tactics right at this crucial stage. Many key players have been rested ahead of these games, emphasising how the eight sides view this competition as a priority.
Liverpool impressed in their first leg against Borussia Dortmund by securing a 1-1 draw in Germany. Despite this, bookies still make The BVB favourites to progress to the semi-finals when the two sides resume proceedings at Anfield. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will know the job is not done. Having rested some key players, he will gain confidence from a convincing 4-1 win against Stoke at the weekend. Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel also rested players, but his side were less convincing, being held to a 2-2 draw by FC Schalke.
Former Dortmund player Steffen Freund says the German side should look to exploit the Merseyside clubs "weak link" central defenders, saying they are likely to "make mistakes" if pressurised.
Klopp will take heart from his wealth of attacking options that present him with "hard decisions" on whom to select. Belgian striker Divock Origi is likely to get the nod upfront having scored three times in his last two games, including the important away goal at the Westfalenstadion. Midfielder James Milner is likely to skipper The Reds in the absence of injured captain Jordan Henderson. Milner is confident his team will have the determination and workrate to "finish the job".
The match is guaranteed to be a thrilling affair with both sides primed to come out attacking. With Anfield's famous 'twelfth man' behind them, Liverpool have an edge that could help them upset the odds.
Predictions for Liverpool FC - Borussia Dortmund
Tournament second-favourites and holders Sevilla have put themselves in a strong postion with a 2-1 first-leg victory against Athletic Bilbao. They will host The Lions at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, knowing they just need to avoid defeat to progress.
Balbao manager Ernesto Valverde is feeling the pressure, saying his team's chances of progress "have dropped by fifty percent". He says it is crucial his side start the game with belief that they can turn things around.
Valverde will be without forward Inaki Williams who has picked up a hamstring injury. He will look instead to competition leading scorer Aduriz Zubeldia to add to his nine Europa League goals and fire the club through. Sevilla have won their last eleven home matches in this competition and will believe they are too strong for Bilbao. They are looking to win this competition for a third successive year.
Predictions for Sevilla FC - Athletic Bilbao
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