Juventus vs Sevilla: Europa League Semi-Final Preview, Odds, Predictions (May 11)

Initial Thoughts

Sevilla literally owns this competition but Juve - being Juve - still come into this one as favorites. So will it be Spanish attacking flair or Italian defensive might that comes out on top at the Juventus Stadium this evening?

The Narrative

Much like West Ham in the UEFA Conference League, Sevilla are having a terrible season domestically while absolutely killing it in Europe.

After finishing fourth in the table and only three points short of second place Barcelona last season, Los Rojiblancos started the 2022/23 campaign with only two wins from their first 15 matches and have so far spent the entire campaign in the lower rungs of the table.

Knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage, Sevilla suddenly found their form in Europe’s second tier competition - overcoming PSV Eindhoven and Fenerbahce before dramatically upending Manchester United in the quarterfinals.

Results have improved domestically as well since José Luis Mendilibar was appointed in late March, with six wins in Sevilla’s last eight domestic fixtures.

Over in Serie A, Juventus recently jumped back into the top four after a 15 point deduction for financial impropriety was overturned last month.

But like Sevilla, the Old Lady of Turin had a torrid time in this season’s Champions League - losing five of their six Group matches and racking up just a solitary win against Israeli side Maccabi Haifa.

Also like Sevilla, Massimiliano Allegri’s side have been much better in the Europa League, overcoming Nantes, Frieberg and Sporting Lisbon en route to tonight’s semi-final.

Nuts and Bolts

Pretty much everyone had written off Sevilla against Manchester United, but you underestimate this side in the Europa League at your peril. (We called that one BTW: see below!)

Los Rojiblancos have reached a record five semi-finals in Europe’s second tier tournament, AND they’ve gone on to win the competition on every occasion.

On top of that, Juventus don’t arrive in this match in a particularly good shape, with Allegri’s side having won only two of their last eight matches in all competitions.

The Juventus Stadium has been a fortress in the competition thus far, with the Serie A giants unbeaten and conceding only once across their three Europa League ties at home.

Also in Juve’s favor is Sevilla’s away record in the knockout rounds. José Luis Mendilibar’s side have suffered two goalless defeats and a draw on the road, with Manchester United basically gifting them a brace in the 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.

So Juventus look more likely to secure a win tonight, while Sevilla will feel confident they can turn the tide back at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.

‍

Homestand Picks

All odds courtesy of Northstar Bets

‍

Parlay: Juventus & both teams not to score (+145)

The Italians are masters of the low block and Sevila have failed to score in two of the last three away fixtures in the competition.

Sevilla to qualify for the next round (+125)

But the Spanish sides are Europa League specialists and we’re backing them to ultimately reach a record 6th final.

‍