Soccer UEFA Europa League - Play-Offs Prediction

Sevilla vs Juventus - Match Preview

⚽ 18 May 2023 - 19:00 GMT +0

Sevilla took another step towards expanding their record haul of six UEFA Europa League (UEL) titles with a critical 1-1 draw away to Juventus last week that gave them the upper hand in this second leg at home. They have the difficult task of trying to work their way back into La Liga’s European qualification places at the same time, an ambition boosted by their recent 3-0 weekend win away to Real Valladolid.

Whilst Sevilla boss José Luis Mendilibar described Juventus’ last-ditch equaliser as “a shame”, he was rapt with the effort in yet another drawn away leg following a 2-2 result against Manchester United in the quarter-finals. Whilst there’ll be no complacency from Mendilibar, Sevilla can bank on an almost perfect home record in all UEL football since 2018/19 (W15, D2), which includes six clean sheets in the post-group stage phase (W5 D1).

The weekend went entirely to the script for Juventus boss Max Allegri, who was able to give some of his busiest players such as Filip Kostić, Manuel Locatelli and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny the entire night off in a comfortable 2-0 Serie A win at home to Cremonese. They now need just two points in their remaining three games to clinch a place in the next UEFA Champions League (UCL) group stage, which should afford them the space to throw everything they have at this tie.

After losing all three UCL group stage away games earlier in the season, Juventus has appeared far more comfortable on their travels as a second-tier UEFA club, picking up two wins and a 1-1 draw at Sporting CP in their three UEL knockout away trips this season. Allegri gave nothing away about his potential lineup for this match, telling the media it would be a “last minute” decision based on his physical condition.

📋 Key battle: After being rested at the weekend, Youssef En Nesyri will look to deliver a goal or assist in a fourth consecutive UEL appearance. In his way will be former La Liga defender Danilo, whose side has not conceded more than one goal in any of their last ten competitive fixtures.

⚡ Hot stat: The first period has been the highest-scoring half in just one of Sevilla’s last 12 competitive games.