A spot in the Europa League final is up for grabs when two powerhouses in Sevilla and Manchester United lock horns in Sunday's semi-final in Cologne.
Sevilla reached the last four courtesy of a slim quarter-final victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, while United recorded a 1-0 success of their own against Copenhagen last time out.
Match preview
Sevilla have become renowned for their Europa League exploits in recent times, and the La Liga outfit are still on course to add to their record five triumphs in the competition.
Unai Emery was the mastermind behind three successive Europa League crowns for Sevilla between 2014 and 2016, but Los Palanganas had a run to forget last season as they bowed out at the last-16 stage to Slavia Prague.
However, the La Liga side will certainly not be looking back at that disappointment as they enter the semi-final showdown with United on a 19-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, and Julen Lopetegui has witnessed his side pick up seven wins from their last eight during that run.
Sevilla were certainly made to work for their victory over Wolves in the quarters, and the story could have been completely different had Raul Jimenez not missed from the penalty spot, but Lucas Ocampos's 17th goal of the season in the 88th minute ultimately proved the difference on the night.
Lopetegui's men are already assured of Champions League qualification owing to their fourth-placed finish in the 2019-20 La Liga season, but a piece of silverware at the end of a turbulent campaign would give Sevilla the confidence to push on and try to reduce the gap to Real Madrid and Barcelona next season.
Manchester United have also booked their spot in Europe's elite competition for next season, but if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to lay down a marker ahead of the new campaign, a trophy is essential.
As is the case with Sevilla, United have produced the goods following the restart and have only tasted defeat once in their last 24 matches, but the Red Devils did not cruise past LASK and Copenhagen by any means.
The effervescent Bruno Fernandes was once again the hero from the spot for Solskjaer's side, who were simply unable to break down the impenetrable wall that was Copenhagen's Karl-Johan Johnsson for long periods of their quarter final.
United eventually got the job done against the Danish outfit, though, and the 2016-17 Europa League champions will be looking to replicate their success of three years ago, where they overcame Ajax in the final at the Friends Arena in Sweden.
The Europa League triumph of 2017 was United's most recent piece of silverware, and if the Red Devils are to pave the way for a spate of success in the next few years, winning the tournament again this time around is certainly an ideal starting point.
The victors of this game will meet either Inter Milan or Shakhtar Donetsk in the August 21 final, with the other two semi-finalists going head-to-head on Monday evening.
Sevilla Europa League form: WLDDWW
Sevilla form (all competitions): WWDWWW
Manchester United Europa League form: WDWWWW
Manchester United form (all competitions): WLDWWW
Team News
Lopetegui could very well stick with the same starting lineup that got the job done against Wolves, which would mean another start for Yassine Bounou in goal following his penalty save from Jimenez.
The centre-back pairing of Diego Carlos and Jules Kounde have both been linked with moves elsewhere during the summer transfer window, but the duo will simply be focused on keeping Fernandes and co at bay on Sunday evening.
As for United, Solskjaer may revert back to the majority of the tried-and-tested lineup which dispatched teams with relative ease upon the restart.
That would mean a return for Nemanja Matic in the middle of the park alongside Paul Pogba, potentially dropping Fred down to the bench, while Victor Lindelof may replace Eric Bailly in the heart of the United defence.
Fernandes, Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have chalked up a remarkable 64 goals and 23 assists between them this season, but the quartet will be in for a difficult night against the staunch rearguard action of Sevilla.
Sevilla possible starting lineup:
Bounou; Navas, Carlos, Kounde, Reguilon; Fernando, Jordan, Banega; Suso, En-Nesyri, Ocampos
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Romero; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Williams; Pogba, Matic; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial
We say: Sevilla 2-1 Manchester United
These two European heavyweights both boast a plethora of talented players and would be equally worthy winners of the Europa League. United have the attacking stars capable of causing any defence problems on their day, but Sevilla are enjoying an incredible spell of form and their success in this tournament is well-documented, so we are backing the La Liga outfit to scrape a narrow victory and advance to Friday's final.
Top betting tip
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or draw in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Draw:databody check tags ::
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