Shakhtar v Sevilla predictions, betting tips, odds and free bets (Europa League - 1st leg - 28.4.2016)

Thursday, 28 April 2016 14:38
Written by David Bet

Shakhtar Donetsk host Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie in Lviv on Thursday night. Check out here our SHAKHTAR v SEVILLA betting preview with free predictions, betting tips, match odds, line-ups, bookie offers and no deposit bonuses on the Europa League!

SHAKHTAR DONETSK v SEVILLA BETTING PREVIEW

After they finished third in their Champions League group, Shakhtar have been very impressive in Europa League. They recorded a goalless draw at home to Schalke 04 after their winter break, but the Miners have won five in a row since then to knock out the Germans (3-0 on aggregate), Anderlecht (4-1) and Braga (6-1). Domestically, they are they are 7 points below leaders Kiev in the Ukrainian League and the Europa League seems to be Shakhtar’s mostly likely route for a Silverware this season.

Few changes are expected from Mircea Lucescu. Marcio Azevedo will be missing in the left back with knee injury and that is their only absence. Defender Yaroslav Rakitskiy is back from suspension and available for selection. Brazilian striker Fred is still suspenden, so Facundo Ferreyra looks likely to lead the line with Taison, Marlos and Kovalenko providing support.

Sevilla are just three matches away from winning the Europa League for the third year in a row. They come into the latest clash having beaten Liga rivals Athletic Bilbao in the last eight, a 5-4 triumph on penalties after the tie had ended 3-3 on aggregate. In this competition, the Andalusians have played six games away from home losing four and winning just one. In La Liga they remain the only side yet to win away from home.

David Soria will come back in between the sticks while Daniel Carrico is likely to come in at centre-back for Sevilla with Adil Rami struggling with a groin injury. Up front, Yevhen Konoplyanka, Ever Banega and Michael Krohn-Dehli are likely to start as offensive midfielders behind Kevin Gameiro. Defenders Benoit Tremoulinas and Marco Andreolli remain out through injury, as well as Jose Antonio Reyes.

SHAKHTAR DONETSK v SEVILLA PROBABLE LINEUPS

Shakhtar Donetsk (4-2-3-1): Pyatov; Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Ismaily; Malyshev, Stepanenko; Marlos, Kovalenko, Taison; Ferreyra

Sevilla (4-2-3-1): Soria; Mariano, Carrico, Kolodziejczak, Escudero; N'Zonzi, Krychowiak; Konoplyanka, Banega, Krohn-Dehli; Gameiro