UEFA Cup Preview: Standard Liege - Sevilla

Standard Liege face a daunting encounter in their first match of the Group Stage as they play host to Sevilla on Thursday night...

What Could Have Been

While Standard Liege will no doubt be excited by the prospect of a UEFA Cup campaign, an element of regret will surely still linger among them as they reflect on their Champions League 3rd Qualifying round encounter with Liverpool. No one gave the Belgians a chance when the draw was made, but they fought bravely over the two legs to find themselves minutes away from a penalty shoot-out at Anfield. However, it was all to end in tears as Dirk Kuyt scored with one of the last kicks of the game to send Liverpool through.

What that result did prove, though, was that Standard are not a team to be taken lightly. This was further emphasized in the First Round of the UEFA Cup, when they returned to Liverpool to face Everton and earned a highly credible 2-2 draw. They then won the return leg 2-1 at home to knock out their favoured opponents and earn a place in the Group Stage.

The draw has certainly been unkind to them again, with Sevilla, Sampdoria and Stuttgart being favourites to claim the three qualification places. However, recent times have shown that Standard enjoy being the underdogs, so this group could potentially work in their favour.

Standard Setters

Quite simply, there is no better UEFA Cup team than Sevilla. Having won the competition the last two times that they took part, they have a 100% record this time around and their impressive form shows no signs of abating. A potentially tricky opening fixture at home against Stuttgart was dealt with easily, with the Andalucians notching up an impressive 2-0 win, setting them up perfectly for the rest of the campaign.

Many predicted that the summer sales of the likes of Daniel Alves, Seydou Keita, and Christian Poulsen, not to mention the departure of Juande Ramos last season, would adversely affect Sevilla this time around. While there is still room for improvement on the domestic front, their current 5th position, five points behind the leaders, is by no means a poor achievement. In fact, given the injury crisis that has struck their strike-force, it is a fairly impressive return.

Their last away trip, however, resulted in a disappointing 3-2 loss at Valladolid, so they will be guarded against complacency when they travel to take on a dangerous Standard side at home. Having said that, Sevilla thrive on big European nights, so something will have to give when they take on a side who thrive on playing stronger opposition.

TEAM NEWS

Standard Liege

There are no major injury concerns for Standard apart from the long term absence of Digao, Kaka's younger brother who is on loan from Milan.

Probable Starting XI - Espinoza - Marcos, Onyewu, Sarr, Dante - Goreux, Nicaise, Defour, Witsel - Mbokani, Jovanovic

Sevilla

Aldo Duscher, Lauturo Acosta, Ernesto Chevanton and Ivica Dragutinovic are all out, but Frederic Kanoute, Diego Capel and Aquivaldo Mosquera are all back in training and should play some part.

Probable Starting XI - Palop - Konko, Squillaci, Escude, Navarro - Maresca, Romaric, Renato, Navas, Capel - Fabiano

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Standard Liege - Oguchi Onyewu is a key member of Standard's defence, and he will have to be at his best to repel Sevilla's many attacking threats. Forever on the radar of Europe's top clubs, the giant American will want to put in a strong performance to impress any potential suitors.

Sevilla - Having apparently overcome his bouts of homesickness, Jesus Navas can now play a prominent part in away fixtures like this, much to Sevilla's delight. The tricky winger will be one of the main attacking threats, and Standard will be wary of his lightning speed.

Prediction - Standard love playing bigger teams, while Sevilla love playing in the UEFA Cup in general. Therefore, this should be an extremely even contest, but at the end of the day it is impossible to look past Sevilla in this competition. Their 100% record should continue as they gain a narrow win.

Standard 1-2 Sevilla

Arjun Miglani