Villarreal vs. FC Twente: UEFA Europa League Preview
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011 on Thursday, 7th April.
The Yellow Submarine defeated Bayer Leverkusen 5-3 on aggregate whereas Twente downed Russian champions Zenit St. Petersburg 3-2 in the knockout stage of the competition.
Villarreal
The Spanish side have had a very good season and currently sit fourth in the Spanish La Liga with 54 points following a seventh place finish last season. Villarreal have had a brilliant Europa League campaign this term and reached the last eight after defeating German giants Bayer Leverkusen.
Juan Carlos Garrido’s team topped Group D with 12 points from six games, ahead of Greek side PAOK. They are undefeated in all European fixtures played at home this season. Villarreal have won three of the last five matches in all competitions, having lost only once against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 in the league.
FC Twente
The Dutch side continue to dominate the domestic league after winning it last season. Twente are top of the table with 63 points with five games to go, and have won 19 of the total 29 matches played in the Dutch Eredivisie.
The Tukkers finished third behind the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan in Group A of the UEFA Champions League, and were thus placed in the knockout stage of the UEFA Europa League against Zenit St. Petersburg. Twente downed their Russian counterparts and qualified for the quarter-finals.
Team News
Villarreal
The home side have no major injury concerns ahead of the clash and will look to put out a strong side against the Dutch opposition. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marcos-Senna-c23808 in the centre of the park.
FC Twente
The club’s top scorer http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Denny-Landzaat-c10934 and Theo Janssen will play in central midfield for the Tukkers.
Players to watch
Giuseppe Rossi
The Italian international has played a major part in Villarreal’s success in Europe this season. Rossi is the highest goal scorer in the UEFA Europa League, having found the net an impressive eight times in 11 games thus far.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Theo-Janssen-c34871
The 29-year old midfielder scored two crucial goals against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/PSV-c40281 Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie over the weekend to lead his side to the top of the table. Janssen will be looking to put in another match-winning performance against the Spanish opposition.
Prediction
The Yellow Submarine are regarded as one of the best attacking sides in Europe and the combination of Rossi and Nilmar upfront would make things very difficult for Twente’s defence. Villarreal are unbeaten this season at home in Europe and it is likely they will continue that unbeaten run. The hosts are expected to win 2-0.
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