Liverpool vs Villarreal Predictions

• Liverpool have won 19 of their last 23 matches in all competitions.
• Villarreal have scored in nine of their ten Champions League fixtures this season.
• Liverpool have conceded in four of their last five in this competition.
• Luis Diaz has had a hand in five goals in his last four starts for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Liverpool juggernaut keeps on rolling

Liverpool kept the hype train for the quadruple rolling on Sunday with another Merseyside derby victory over the beleaguered Everton and they should be able to get this Champions League semi-final off to a flying start when they host Villarreal on Wednesday.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are now unbeaten in ten games in all competitions and their only defeat this calendar year came against Inter Milan when they were 2-0 up on aggregate. They have won eight of the ten games since that defeat and scored 24 goals in the process.

Villarreal not to be underestimated

Villarreal aren’t a side to be taken lightly, though. The Yellow Submarine beat Valencia last week to make it five games unbeaten and they have already eliminated two huge names from the Champions League this season.

First, they knocked out Juventus thanks to a stunning 3-0 win in Turin and they followed that with a 2-1 aggregate victory over Bayern Munich, so this tie is far from a foregone conclusion.

Emery’s side can bite back

That being said, Liverpool have won 19 of their last 23 competitive matches and have the form and quality to take a first-leg lead here, but I do expect Unai Emery’s side to trouble the Reds’ defence.

The visitors have scored in nine of their ten Champions League games this season and Liverpool have conceded in seven of their ten, including four of their last five, making a Liverpool win and both teams to score an appealing option.

Deadly duo set to sink Yellow Submarine

It’s also worth looking at Luis Diaz in the anytime goalscorer market. The January arrival has bedded in nicely at Anfield and has had a hand in five goals in his last six appearances, including a goal and assist against Manchester United in his last start.

Interestingly, two of Diaz’s four goals in a Liverpool shirt have been assisted by Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian might be more known for his goalscoring prowess but he has provided 13 assists in the league this season and has laid on a goal in three of his last four starts. Backing him to get another assist at 15/8 with Betfair looks another interesting bet.

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

Villarreal predicted lineup: Rulli; Foyth, Albiol, Torres, Estupinan, Pino, Capoue, Parejo, Trigueros; Lo Celso; Danjuma

• Liverpool have scored first-half goals in seven of their ten Champions League games this season
• Over 2.5 goals has landed in four of Villarreal’s five Champions League away games this season

Spotlight Insights combine the best data and editorial expertise to give you an extra angle.