Daily Dynamo Selections – Benfica v Sevilla
The first of two major European domestic matches that take place this week is the Europa League final. Unquestionably, Juventus will be extremely disappointed that they were eliminated in the semi-finals meaning that they miss out on the chance to play a final on their home turf. But this should still be an intriguing match-up between Spanish and Portugese rivals.
Unfortunately for Sevilla, UEFA has earmarked a Champions League spot for next season's Europa League winners, so the Spanish side will miss out on a place at Europe's top table should they win this match against a formidable Benfica team. The Portugese, who have won their domestic league by some distance, will be looking to go one better than last season, when they lost to Chelsea in the final.
Certainly Benfica ought to have garnered a lot of confidence from their league form, and they've now shown in back-to-back European campaigns that they're a very strong side. But although Sevilla have been nearly 30 points off the pace in La Liga, the fact remains that the Spanish League is obviously an extremely strong competition. So I don't anticipate Sevilla being intimidated going into this game, or considering themselves to be the underdogs, even though Benfica are the bookmakers' favourites.
This could be the last opportunity for an extremely talented crop of Benfica players to win a major European trophy before this side is broken up, with some top European clubs targeting several of their players. And they've been together for long enough and shown enough quality this term for me to think that they'll see of Sevilla and win the Europa League.
Selections: Safe Bet – Benfica to win (13/10 with SkyBet), Value Bet – Benfica to win by 1 goal (3/1 with BetVictor)
