Dnipro vs Sevilla: Europa League Final Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info
History is at stake as Sevilla seek a second straight UEFA Europa League title in Wednesday's final in Warsaw. Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk are standing in the way and will be looking to complete an unlikely run with a first-ever European trophy.
Sevilla enter as favorites, having made easy work of the opposition for much of the knockout stage. The Spanish side's only true scare came in the quarter-finals, when they claimed a hard-fought, 4-3 aggregate victory over Zenit St. Petersburg. In addition, Unai Emery's men are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions and have suffered only one loss in their last 21 competitive matches.
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That bodes well for the Spanish side, because the winner of the Europa League this term is guaranteed at least a spot in the play-off round of next season's Champions League.
According to UEFA.com, the Europa League winners will receive a place in the group stage if the Champions League winners have already qualified for next season's group stage via their domestic league finish. Both Barcelona and Juventus have done so, meaning the stakes are even high for Sevilla and Dnipro.
Sevilla were the last club to repeat as Europa League champions, claiming the crown in 2006 and 2007. Emery's side defeated Benfica on penalties in last season's final, and have lost just once in the current season's competition.
While three-time winners Sevilla are well-known in this competition, Dnipro are relative newcomers. Before this season, the Ukrainian side had never advanced past the quarter-final stage of a European competition.
Dnipro advanced to the final by beating heavily favored Napoli in the previous round. Coach Myron Markevych will likely adopt a similar style against Sevilla, relying on organized defensive work and the goalkeeping expertise of Denys Boyko. But Yevhen Konoplyanka represents a potent attacking threat for Dnipro, and several top European clubs are rumored to be interested in the winger.
This will be the first meeting between the two sides. According to UEFA.com, Sevilla are unbeaten in four previous matches against Ukrainian sides. Dnipro lost their only game against Spanish opposition.
Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Time: 7:45 p.m. BST/2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: National Stadium, Warsaw
TV Info: ITV4 (UK)/Fox Sports 1 (US)
Live Stream: ITV Player (UK)/Fox Soccer 2Go (US)
Team News
According to UEFA.com, two Dnipro players are out injured, and a third is doubtful.
Roman Zozulya misses out with a knee injury, while Serhiy Kravchenko will not play because of an unspecified issue. Yevhen Shakhov is listed as doubtful, also with an unspecified problem.
For Sevilla, goalkeeper Beto is out with a shoulder injury, and Nicolas Pareja will not play due to a knee problem.
Players to Watch
Carlos Bacca has scored 26 goals in all competitions this season for Sevilla, including one in the second leg of his side's semi-final victory over Fiorentina. Expect the 28-year-old Colombian to be a dangerous option, with Kevin Gameiro offering a threat off the bench.
For Dnipro, Boyko played inspired football in the semi-final round, denying Napoli repeatedly with a series of top-class saves. Even if Sevilla dominate in the attack, they will still have to face the superb stopper.
Follow @MiguelCominguez
