Villarreal vs Liverpool Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Liverpool were able to grind out a 1-0 win at Newcastle at the weekend, which kept them in the Premier League title race. The Reds enter May with three trophies to potentially add to their Carabao Cup win, while they hold a comfortable 2-0 lead over Villarreal heading into this second-leg.

While the Europa League holders have enjoyed a fairytale run to the last four, they kept things close in the previous two rounds before shocking Juventus and Bayern. Turning around this deficit is much more of a stretch for Villarreal, while Liverpool look to be in no mood to let this lead slip.

Reds to prove too strong

Liverpool head into this game having won 21 of their last 25 matches, while they’re aiming to complete a perfect road season in Europe’s top competition. They’ve won all five away games in the Champions League this term, despite landing a tough group which took them to Porto, Atletico Madrid and AC Milan.

Meanwhile, Villarreal have won only twice in five Champions League home games this term. They were beaten at home to Manchester United, losing home and away to the Red Devils in the group stage. That doesn’t bode well for them against a Liverpool side who will be out to take care of business on Tuesday, so I’m backing the visitors to wrap things up with a win.

Mane to make the difference

Sadio Mane has scored 14 goals for Liverpool in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League, including one in the first leg against Villarreal. Only Frank Lampard (15) has a better record for an English side. However, Mane could match him on Tuesday.

The forward has scored six times across his last eight games. He’s chipped in with key goals of late, scoring against Man City, Man United and in their away trip to Benfica in the last round of the Champions League. Back Mane to step up again in this clash.

However, this one isn’t likely to be a thriller. Just 10 goals have been scored across Villarreal’s seven home knockout ties in this competition, with no team scoring more than once in any of those. The Reds head into this one with wins to nil in each of their last four outings, so back them to keep another clean sheet.

Villarreal predicted lineup: Rulli; Foyth, Albiol, Pau Torres, Estupinan; Parejo, Capoue, Coquelin; Chukwueze, Lo Celso, Danjuma

Liverpool predicted lineup: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Mane, Diaz