Europa League semi-finals preview

Europa League | Preview

28/04/16

Thursday sees a return of the Europa League as the remaining four teams compete in the first leg of the semi-finals. The clubs will know how close they are to the final and all of the sides have shown they are capable of going all the way. England and Spain are still on for a European title with sides also remaining in the Champions League.

Tournament favourites Liverpool travel to the Estadio El Madrigal to take on Villarreal. The Red's remarkable comeback against Borussia Dortmund in the last round shows they have great character and determination. Jurgen Klopp's team are unbeaten in their last six games and will be confident of taking a positive result back to Anfield.

Villarreal have lost some momentum after two defeats and a draw in their last three games. They will look to their European record for confidence. They have won all of their home games in the Europa League this season and have kept six clean sheets in the tournament so far. Villarreal manager Marcelin Garcia Toral will be relying on his Congolese striker Cedric Bakambu to fire his side ahead. Bakambu is second in the tournament top-scorer charts with nine goals so far.

Liverpool will be without first team trio Jordan Henderson, Emre Can and Divock Origi who are all injured. Centre-back Mamadou Sakho will also be missing after controversially failing a drug test. A resurgent Daniel Sturridge will lead the line upfront after some strong performances in the Premier League. Kolo Toure says he is "ready" to step in for Sakho and if included, he will bring a lot of big match experience to the back line. James Milner and Joe Allen are likely to take the places of Henderson and Can. Klopp says he is not worried about the missing players, saying the key to progress lies in being "perfectly prepared".

Predictions for Villarreal CF vs Liverpool FC

Shahktar Donetsk will host holders Sevilla at the Donbass Arena in the second of Thursday's semi-finals. The last time these two sides met was in 2007 in the UEFA Cup round of sixteen. Sevilla won it 3-2 in extra-time after a dramatic late equaliser from goalkeeper Andres Palop. Shahktar manager Mircea Lucescu says his side will "try to take revenge" this time round but acknowledges it will be "difficult". A good first-leg will be crucial.

Donetsk defensive midfielder Taras Stepanenko concedes that Sevilla are favourites as they compete in "a stronger league" domestically. He says his side will have to give their "maximum" if they are to progress, but getting to this stage proves his club are "moving in the right direction".

Sevilla boss Unai Emery says his team are feeling confident after a 2-0 win over Real Betis in their last game. He says his team are "alive" and they go into the tie against Donetsk "with strength". The Ukranians are unbeaten in their last six games and are in good form. Sevilla have lost three in their last five but have great experience. They are looking to win their third successive Europa League tournament and are bookies favourites to progress from this tie to the final.

Predictions for Shakhtar Donetsk vs Sevilla FC