On Thursday night, Villarreal host Zenit at the Estadio de la Ceramica in the Europa League last 16. The Spanish side recorded a 3-1 victory in Saint Petersburg to head into this clash with a big advantage.
Villarreal CF have endured a woeful domestic campaign. However, the first leg win means that the Yellow Submarine have now won their last two games in all competitions.
The home side has been difficult to beat in the Europa League of late, as the Spanish side are unbeaten in nine games in the competition. Their recent matches in the Europa League have been low scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in five of their last six outings in this competition.
The Yellow Submarine have been inconsistent on home soil in the Europa League, winning just two of their last seven matches at the Ceramica. However, they are now four games unbeaten on home soil in the competition. Villarreal have been relatively prolific at home in the Europa League, scoring at least two goals in three of their last four outings.
Zenit are once again top of their domestic league but have now lost three of their last four matches in the Europa League. Their recent Europa League games have been relatively low scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in four of their last six matches in the competition.
The Russian side has been poor on their travels in the Europa League of late. They have failed to win in eight away matches on their travels while suffering six defeats in the process. Zenit’s recent away games in the Europa League have been low scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in their last four away matches in the competition.
Forebet predicts that Villarreal will record a victory in a high scoring game to progress to the last eight of the Europa League.