Spanish Rivals May See More Mestalla Drama

They may have a mountain to climb, but at best odds of 11/2 (WilliamHill) to reach the final, Valencia could just continue their role as comeback kings and overturn a 2-0 deficit.

Juan Antonio Pizzi’s boys won’t exactly arrive at the Mestalla feeling forlorn having reversed a 3-0 first leg loss to Basel in the quarter-finals. On that occasion they made history, ultimately winning 5-3 after extra-time thanks in no small part to a hat-trick from young sensation Paco Alcacer.

The 2004 UEFA Cup champions can also take heed from a decent recent home record against Sevilla. They won 3-1 at the Mestalla last September and 2-0 the time before that. That latter scoreline would see the tie go to extra-time here and there would surely only be one winner with the momentum shift that would entail.

The visitors are certainly capable of off-days as well. Unai Emery’s team lost 2-0 at home to Real Betis in the round of 16 before recovering to win the second leg on penalties. They then lost the first leg 1-0 to Porto in the quarter-finals. A 3-1 defeat to Athletic Bilbao at the weekend in La Liga was also far from ideal preparation.

An early goal for the hosts would put this tie back in the balance and at long odds the smart move is to take a chance on Valencia.