FC Porto vs. Sevilla FC preview – UEFA Europa League
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186
The Dragons would be thinking that they already have one foot in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16, as the Portuguese giants defeated Sevilla FC 2 – 1 at Roman Sanchez Pizjuan in their Round of 32 first leg. The Portuguese outfit has played brilliantly
under their new manager, Andre Villas-Boas, as they are enjoying a nine match unbeaten European run.
Porto have been in supreme form this season, as they have not lost a single match in their European campaign as well as in Portuguese Liga this season. The Dragons topped their table without being threatened by any team in their group. They have an
overall record of 6 played, 5 won, 1 drawn.
Villas-Boas said, “It’s important to convey the message that the win in Seville was an important one, nonetheless it hasn’t decided this round of 32. There’s a feeling amongst supporters that the job has been done but I totally reject that idea. Sevilla
embrace many strong points. FC Porto have to be completely competent in order to beat this team”.
The Dragons will clash in their Europa League Round of 32 second leg against the La Liga outfit http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sevilla-FC-c40484 at Estadio do Dragao. The home side will be hoping to keep their unbeaten record intact and claim a good result in front of their home crowd.
Sevilla FC
Los Nervionenses are in a frantic situation, as they have performed poorly in the recent months. Despite their average performance in the domestic season, the Red-Whites are on their way out of the Europa League.
The Rojiblancos finished fourth in the league table last term. Consequently, they made it to the UEFA Champions League qualifying round. However, Portuguese outfit, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/SC-Braga-c40460 knocked out the Red-Whites in the qualifying round. Los Nervionenses were
hoping to achieve a better position in the Europa League, but it looks like another Portuguese side will end their European dream this season.
Emerging victorious at Estadio do Dragao is going to be farfetched for the visiting side, as they conceded two away goals in the first leg. The home side have a fair chance to make through to the next phase of the Europe’s secondary football competition,
as they will play the return leg in front of the home crowd.
The Rojiblancos president Jose Maria del Nido said, “No one has forgotten that the elimination stage is more difficult than when it began. Porto carries the advantage from the first game, but no one is going to stop us from fighting until the end to
advance to the next round. Sevilla will give their last drop of sweat in order to achieve their goal”.
Team News
FC Porto
Villas-Boas have to do without the services of Sereno, Walter, and Souza due to injuries.
Seville FC
Seville tactician, Gregoria Manzano, will have to improvise his starting line as Andres Palop, Martin Caceres and Ndri Romaric will watch the match from the stands due to their respective injuries.
Players to watch
FC Porto striker, Givanildo Vieira de Souza (http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hulk-c16436), is in scintillating goal-scoring form in the Portuguese Liga this season. The Brazilian international has scored 19 league goals in 19 appearances this season. He will again lead the attack pack of
the Dragons against the Spanish outfit and look to find back of the net.
Seville FC striker, Luis Fabiano, will be looking to score goals against the Dragons, as Sevilla need to score at least two away goals if they want to qualify for the next phase of the Europa League.
Prediction
The home side will be the favourites to win the match 2 – 1, as they have remained unbeaten in front of their home crowd this season.
(The views expressed by the writer are his own and do not reflect the editorial policy of http://www.bettor.com/ )
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