The 2017/18 Champions League group stage comes to an end this week and there is still much to play for in Group E. Liverpool currently sit top of the group with 9 points from their 5 games played but this is only 1 point clear of second place Sevilla, who travel to play Maribor in their final match. With Liverpool hosting Spartak Moscow, Sevilla know they may not need to win in this match to qualify but they cannot take any chances with the result at Anfield. Indeed, if Liverpool do slip-up against the Russian team, Sevilla could take top spot in the group.
Champions League – Ljudski vrt, Maribor – Wednesday 6th December – 19:45 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 11/2 at Betfair |
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Maribor
SevillaMaribor Form
As expected when the draw was made, Maribor have found this group very tough and come into the final match sitting bottom and without any hope of qualifying for the Round of 16 or the Europa League. Winning games has been a problem and while they have picked up 2 points from draws with Spartak Moscow both home and away, failing to win a match has left the Slovenian team adrift at the bottom of the table. Maribor have found life tough both attacking and defending in the Champions League and they conceded 7 in one match at home to Liverpool. They have only managed to score 2 goals themselves across 5 games, which is poor return.
Sevilla Form
Sevilla come into this match having defeated Deportivo La Coruna 2-0 at home in La Liga on the weekend, a result which means they are unbeaten in their last 5 games in all competitions. Their only defeat in their last 9 games has come at the hands of Barcelona.
The Spanish team know they must win this game to guarantee their place in the Round of 16 but wins have not been easy to come by in this group and they join group leaders Liverpool with only 2 wins to their name. Both victories have been at home in the reverse fixture against Maribor and Spartak Moscow. However, the heavy 5-1 defeat at Spartak Moscow has hurt Sevilla’s chances of winning this group and they must tighten up at the back to avoid an embarrassing result in this game. Sevilla have scored 11 goals in 5 games but have also conceded 11 goals.
Team News
Maribor will be hoping everyone is fit and available for this game but they have doubts over several players including Jasmin Mesanovic, Aleksandar Rajcevic, Luka Zahovic and Denis Sme. Sevilla travel to Slovenia without the injured duo of Daniel Carrico and Nico Pareja. Defender Simon Kjaer is doubtful and Johannes Geis may be forced to continue in central defence.
Top Betting Tips
Maribor have yet to win a game in the group and will find it tough against a top Spanish outfit who need a win to be sure of their place in the next round. Sevilla are 3/11 favourites with Ladbrokes to win the match. Both teams have been struggling to keep clean sheets in the Champions League this season and Maribor will be keen to at least get a goal for their fans. Sevilla to win and both teams to score is 21/10 with Ladbrokes. Given Maribor’s result at home against Liverpool, Sevilla will be hoping to score a few goals in this game and you can get 19/20 with Ladbrokes for Sevilla to score 3 or more goals.