English club side, Liverpool FC take on Spanish opposition, Sevilla in the Europa League final in Basle on Wednesday, with a place in the group stages of the Champions League on offer to the winner of the much anticipated encounter.
Sevilla, winners in each of the past two years, will try to become the first team to win it three years in a row, setting an amazing record. Both sides had disappointing league seasons, finishing just outside the European qualification places, so this takes on even more meaning for both. For Liverpool, having qualified for the UEFA Champions League just once in the past six seasons, it represents a massive opportunity and a chance for manager Jurgen Klopp to win a trophy in his first season.
Bet365 make Liverpool narrow favourites at 11/8 to win in 90 minutes, with Sevilla 2/1 and the draw 9/4. To win outright, you can get Liverpool at 8/11 and Sevilla at even money. Sevilla have a danger man in Kevin Gameiro, who has scored 16 league goals and half of his team’s Europa League goals since the round of 32.
Liverpool have tightened up defensively but are still vulnerable to set pieces. It’s well worth remembering that Sevilla did not win a single match away from home in La Liga this past season but Liverpool, with their counterattacking style, were effective away from home, winning eight times on the road in the league.
Sevilla have a few injuries and The Reds boss also has a selection headache of the good kind, deciding who to leave out after Jordan Henderson’s return from injury of and news that Divock Origi is training normally again; at 8/11 to win the trophy, they look the bet to have. Bet365 make it 4/5 that both teams score and that looks fair — both conceded 50 goals in their respective leagues from 38 games apiece. Picking a correct score is even more difficult in a final with an offer on bet365 of 18/1.