Salzburg claimed a 4-2 win away at Swarovski Tirol at the weekend and sit 3pts clear at the top of the Bundesliga table. Villarreal lost 2-1 at home to Real Betis on Sunday but the La Liga side remain in the hunt for the European places.
Both teams have scored and over 2.5 goals have been produced in each of the last two meetings between these two clubs, with the Spanish side winning 2-1 and 3-1.
Our greatest achievements are yet to come. ✨#UEL #neverstop pic.twitter.com/FCbWF5M41w— FC Red Bull Salzburg (@RedBullSalzburg) February 15, 2021
Our greatest achievements are yet to come. ✨#UEL #neverstop pic.twitter.com/FCbWF5M41w
Salzburg are one of the teams dropping into the Europa League from the Champions League in this first knockout round. The Austrians finished third behind Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid but ahead of LokomotivaMoscow in what was a very tough group.
Villarreal topped Group I of the Europa League with relative ease, picking up five wins and one draw from their six games against Maccabi Tel Aviv, Sivasspor and Qarabag.
The hosts have won all of their last six matches in league and cup and head into Thursday’s clash as the form favourites.
Villarreal have only won one of their last six outings, drawing three times and losing twice, but have played against a much higher quality of opposition than the Austrians.
Both teams have scored in Salzburg’s last two matches and four of their last five games have produced over 2.5 goals
Salzburg will be without the services of Maximilian Wöber due to a thigh injury and Bernardo who is struggling with a knee injury, with both expected back in training next month. Villarreal’s Francis Coquelin, Samuel Chukwueze, Mario Gaspar and Vicente Iborra are all expected to miss the trip to Austria through injury.
While Salzburg have the home advantage and form in their favour, Villarreal have more quality in their side and have beaten Salzburg on each of the last two occasions the pair have locked horns.
There should be goals in this game for both clubs but Villarreal are expected to come away with a 1st leg lead.