Europa League 2016: Live Stream Schedule, TV Info, Quarter-Final Predictions
Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund will meet on Thursday at Anfield for the second leg of their 2015-16 UEFA Europa League quarter-final tie, one of four clashes that look like they could go either way.
Not a single team enters the second leg with more than a one-goal lead, although Sevilla and Shakhtar Donetsk will feel good about their chances after both scoring twice at Athletic Bilbao and Braga respectively.
A single goal would see Sparta Prague through after their 2-1 loss at Villarreal last time out, while Dortmund will have to score at least once after their 1-1 draw against the Reds at Signal Iduna Park in the first leg.
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Here's a look at the TV schedule for Thursday's matches, along with predictions:
| 8:05 p.m./3:05 p.m. | Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Braga | 1-2 SHK | ESPN 3 (U.S.) | BT Sport app, WatchESPN | SHK 1-0 BRA (3-1 agg) |
| 8:05 p.m./3:05 p.m. | Sparta Prague vs. Villarreal | 2-1 VIL | BT Sport 2 (U.K.)/ESPN 3 (U.S.) | BT Sport app, WatchESPN | SPP 1-1 VIL (2-3 agg) |
| 8:05 p.m./3:05 p.m. | Sevilla vs. Athletic Club | 1-2 SEV | Fox Sports 2 (U.S.) | BT Sport app, Fox Soccer 2Go | SEV 2-0 BIL (4-1 agg) |
| 8:05 p.m./3:05 p.m. | Liverpool vs. Borussia Dortmund | 1-1 | BT Sport Europe (U.K.)/Fox Sports 1 (U.S.) | BT Sport app, Fox Soccer 2Go | LIV 1-2 DOR (2-3 agg) |
Matches can be streamed live via BT Sport Player, ESPN Player and Fox Soccer 2GO.
Liverpool vs. Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund entered the quarter-finals as the favourites to take home the trophy, but following a 1-1 draw at home in the first leg, Die Schwarzgelben are in real danger of faltering before the semi-final stage.
Former manager Jurgen Klopp and his Liverpool squad went toe-to-toe with the Germans in the first leg, and thanks to Divock Origi and his first-half strike at Signal Iduna Park, the Reds have an all-important away goal.
Per Liverpool's official Twitter account, Klopp believes the fact his team gets to play at home is an even bigger advantage:
Per WhoScored.com, BVB have scored in their last seven matches across all competitions. They are led by the prolific duo of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
The pair has been in superb form all season, and with Marco Reus finding his shooting boots in the previous round against Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool's defence will be severely tested, per DW Sports:
Liverpool's plan for attack is less clear. Origi, 20, has been in superb form of late, making a huge impact off the bench with two goals against Stoke City in the Premier League on Sunday, and the youngster caused plenty of problems with his mobility during the first leg against Dortmund.
But Daniel Sturridge is the more experienced option, and the two could start together, per James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo:
Experience could be a major factor in Thursday's clash. Most of these Dortmund players have been in a similar situation before, with the likes of Mats Hummels and Ilkay Gundogan being pivotal parts of the team that made it all the way to the UEFA Champions League final in 2013.
That will likely be the difference if this match is as close as the first. Liverpool won't make things easy on BVB, but the smart money is on the Germans.
Prediction: Liverpool 1-2 Dortmund
Villarreal vs. Sparta Prague
With three clubs in the quarter-finals of this year's Europa League, La Liga has once again looked fantastic in Europe's secondary club tournament. Spanish clubs have a reputation for doing well on the continental stage, and as demonstrated by stats shared by MisterChip (h/t ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan), it's more than deserved:
Defending champions Sevilla are likely to qualify at the expense of Athletic, who lost 2-1 at San Mames in the first leg, but Villarreal face a difficult trip to the Czech Republic to take on Sparta Prague, who have looked impressive in Europe all year.
The hosts haven't been at their best of late, evidenced by a shock loss against Slovacko in domestic competition on April 2, but they've proved remarkably resilient at home and beat Lazio in the previous round of the Europa League for a reason.
Villarreal's form has been solid of late, however, and in Cedric Bakambu, they field one of the most underrated forwards plying his trade in Europe. Per Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror, the Democratic Republic of the Congo international is slowly starting to get the recognition he deserves:
Looking at the form of both teams, Villarreal have to be considered the favourites. La Liga's superb record in Europe suggests the Yellow Submarine should qualify. A trip to Prague is never easy, however, so Villarreal can expect a battle on Thursday.
Prediction: Sparta Prague 1-1 Villarreal
