Liverpool looks to extend its unbeaten streak across all competitions to 11 matches when it hosts Villarreal on Wednesday for the first leg of their 2022 UEFA Champions League semifinal showdown. The Reds, who have recorded eight victories and a pair of draws during their current run, are seeking their seventh Champions League title and first since 2019 after defeating Benfica in the quarterfinals. Villarreal, which is unbeaten in its last five contests (3-2-0), has reached the semis for the first time since 2006 after upsetting Bayern Munich.
Kickoff at Anfield in Liverpool, England is set for 3 p.m. ET. Liverpool is the -350 favorite (risk $350 to win $100) on the 90-minute money line in the latest Liverpool vs. Villarreal odds from Caesars Sportsbook. Villarreal is the +1000 underdog, a draw is listed at +450 and the over-under for total goals scored is 2.5. Before you lock in any Villarreal vs. Liverpool picks, you need to see what SportsLine soccer insider Brandt Sutton has to say.
Sutton, a former collegiate soccer player, has been SportsLine's top soccer editor for nearly five years. He has followed soccer closely for much longer and factors in managerial tactics, projected lineups and past performances to make the most informed decisions possible, keeping his finger on the pulse of the game all over the globe.
Sutton has also been on a roll with his best bets, going 67-52 in his last 119 soccer picks, returning over $1,000 for $100 bettors during that span.
Now, Sutton has broken down Liverpool vs. Villarreal from every angle and just revealed his Champions League picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are the betting lines and trends for Villarreal vs. Liverpool:
- Liverpool vs. Villarreal spread: Liverpool -1.5 (-115)
- Liverpool vs. Villarreal over-under: 2.5 goals
- Liverpool vs. Villarreal money line: Liverpool -350, Villarreal +1000, Draw +450
- LIV: The Reds have outscored their opponents 25-11 in the tournament
- VIL: The Yellow Submarine has allowed one goal over its last three Champions League games
Why you should back Liverpool
The Reds have been very stingy of late, posting clean sheets in Premier League victories against Manchester United and Everton last week. Liverpool has recorded a total of six clean sheets during its unbeaten run and leads the EPL with 20 this season. The Reds have surrendered more than two goals just once in their last 27 matches across all competitions.
Offensively, Mohamed Salah is the main contributor as he leads the Premier League with 22 goals, as well as 13 assists, and has added eight during Champions League play. Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane are fourth and fifth in the Premier League with 15 and 14 goals, respectively, while Roberto Firmino and Ibrahima Konate each scored twice against Benfica in the Champions League quarterfinals. Salah isn't the only playmaker on the Reds, as Trent Alexander-Arnold is second in the EPL with 12 assists while Andrew Robertson ranks third with 10.
Why you should back Villarreal
The Yellow Submarine has been solid defensively for months, allowing fewer than three goals in 27 consecutive matches across all competitions and yielding a pair only five times since losing 3-1 to Barcelona in a La Liga contest on Nov. 27. The club gave up a total of one goal in its two-leg quarterfinal tie against Bayern Munich and posted a 2-0 victory over Valencia in La Liga action on April 19. Arnaut Danjuma scored both goals in that win and also netted the lone tally on April 6 in a 1-0 triumph versus Bayern.
The 25-year-old Danjuma is Villarreal's top scoring threat as he leads the club with six goals during Champions League play. Danjuma also tops the Yellow Submarine in La Liga with 10 goals over 23 matches in his first season with the team. Liverpool also will need to pay attention to 22-year-old forward Samuel Chukwueze, who scored in Villarreal's 1-1 draw with Bayern on April 12.
How to make Liverpool vs. Villarreal picks
Sutton has analyzed the Liverpool vs. Villarreal match from all sides and locked in his best bets. He's leaning under on the goal total and has also provided a full breakdown of the match. He's only sharing his expert Champions League picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Villarreal vs. Liverpool? And where does all the betting value lie? Visit SportsLine now to see the best bets for Liverpool vs. Villarreal, all from the soccer expert on a 67-52 run on his last 119 soccer picks, and find out.
