In this Champions League double matchup, we will take a look at the two matches in an intriguing group E. The first match will see Sevilla host Spartak Moscow, with Spartak Moscow smashing Sevilla at home in the first fixture between the two sides this season. The other game will see Liverpool invite Maribor to Anfield, with Liverpool being the overwhelming favorites after defeating Maribor 7:0 two weeks ago.
Sevilla (Spa) vs. Spartak Moscow (Rus)
Three-Way: 1: Sevilla -167; X: +409 Draw; 2: Spartak Moscow +620 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -1: Sevilla -127; Spartak Moscow +120
Total +3: Over -128; Under +124
Sevilla
After losing three matches in a row earlier in October, Sevilla has seemingly recovered in recent weeks, winning their last two matches. The first of which was a 3:0 away win over Cartegena in the Copa del Rey, and the second a 2:1 home win against Leganes in the league that leaves them in a very respectable 5th place in the league, although they will be hoping to soon break into the top four.
Despite some recent successes, Sevilla’s last European foray was a total disaster, being easily dispatched 5:1 in Russia against Spartak Moscow and being torn apart by a great personal performance from opposition forward Quincy Promes who bagged himself two assists and two goals. Although the score-line was convincing, Sevilla was not completely outplayed but lacked the clinical edge that their opponents did not.
The loss leaves the three-times Europa League winners in a precarious situation, with two teams above them in Group E and four points, so they’ll probably require at least two wins to progress. Las Sevillistas have a good chance of getting their two wins, as their next two Champions League fixtures are at home.
Manager Eduardo Berizzo will be without centre-backs Daniel Carrico (hamstring) and Nicolas Pareja (osteitis pubis) through injury, while right-back Gabriel Mercado will also be missing with a back injury.
Spartak Moscow
After having a terrible start to their season, gaining just nine points from their first eight games, Spartak Moscow have finally found their feet, having gone thirteen matches unbeaten, raising themselves up the ranks into sixth position in the Russian Premier League, which is still way below expectations for the current Russian Champions, who still have a ten-point gap between themselves and top of the league rivals Lokomotiv Moscow.
Spartak Moscow’s last Champions League match resulted in a famous 5:1 win over Sevilla, placing them in the second position with five points. The great win came as a result of a very effective attacking force, taking most of the opportunities they had in front of their home crowd. The performance was typified by winger Quincy Promes who managed two goals and two assists over the ninety minutes of the match; he has also scored eleven times with six assists in all competitions this season.
Manager Massimo Carrera will be without Roman Zobnin (ruptured cruciate ligament), Artem Timofeev (ruptured cruciate ligament), left-back Georgi Tigiev(ruptured cruciate ligament), attacking midfielder Janon Ananidze (foot) and right-midfielder Aleksandr Samedov (hamstring).
Sevilla (Spa) vs. Spartak Moscow (Rus) – Match Prediction:
The last match between these two sides will have scarred Sevilla, so it will be interesting to see if they will bounce-back or crumble under the spotlights. Either way, this match is pivotal in each teams’ progression to the next round, and the winner will probably end up occupying the second spot in the group table.
I do think Sevilla have the quality to bounce-back, and their 5:1 loss before was a massive one-off. Saying that, Spartak are in good form, and will try to shut up shop. It will be a close match, and a think a draw is the most likely result
MY PICK: Draw (+409)
Liverpool (Eng) vs. Maribor (Slo)
Three-Way: 1: Liverpool -769; X: +2575 Draw; 2: Maribor +7980 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -3.5: Liverpool -101; Maribor -102
Total +4.5: Over +112; Under -119
Liverpool
Liverpool’s domestic form has suffered hugely as a result of some poor performances, leading them to drop to sixth place in the Premier League table. Some of these poor performances led to The Reds drawing five matches in seven games in all competitions, and a 4:1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur along with the draws have put themselves in a difficult situation and pressure on manager Jurgen Klopp.
Their last win over Maribor was a rare and isolated event as Liverpool went to heaven with seven goals and none conceded. It was a great performance, albeit over a lesser side, in which their pace and trickery upfront caused their opponents a world of problems. Further positives from the match will be the new 35 million pound signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain finally got himself off the mark with a goal, while the defense kept it tight at the back to help their win take the record of the highest away win in Europe for any English side.
Now, Liverpool will play Maribor in the reverse fixture at home, and they will be very confident in getting a positive result. Just two wins should be more than enough for Liverpool, and with their next Champions League match almost a given for a win, they are almost already on the home straight to qualify, which would be the first time that they have done so since the 2008-09 season.
Manager Jurgen Klopp will be without attacking midfielder Adam Lallana (hamstring), right-back Nathaniel Clyne (thigh), winger Sadio Mané (hamstring) and keeper Adam Bogdan (cruciate ligament rupture) through injury.
Maribor
The Slovenian champions are in great domestic form, being unbeaten after their first fourteen matches. Despite this, they are still sitting in second of the league as rivals Olimpija is above them on goal difference. Furthermore, Maribor will feel a little down in the dumps European-wise, after they suffered from a harrowing 7:0 defeat from Liverpool. One damning statistic for the Slovenian side is that they have won just once in their total of fifteen Champions League matches, which suggests that qualification is very unlikely.
Manager Darko Milanic will be without forward Luka Zahovic and centre-back Denis Sme through injury.
Liverpool (Eng) vs. Maribor (Slo) – Match Prediction:
The last match between these two sides suggests that there can only be one winner. However, I wouldn’t expect the result to be so dramatic, as Maribor will be eager to not suffer from such an embarrassing defeat again. Unfortunately for the Slovenian side, Liverpool’s attack will prove to be too powerful and will win by a clear margin again.
MY PICK: Liverpool – 3.5 AH (-101)
