Europa League 
/ Richard Aikman / 13 April 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Brazil regular Nilmar is out of this match through suspension
"However, there are numerous factors that explain why Twente are [2.25] favourites to win the return leg."
Villarreal hammered the defending Dutch champs in the first leg and though the latter are unlikely to qualify from this position, there are good reasons to think they may win this match, says Richard Aikman.
Twente v Villarreal
It will take a miracle for Twente to overturn a 5-1 first-leg deficit but they should be able to muster a win against a Villarreal side still reeling from a five-goal thrashing of their own.
Along with Porto, Villarreal have been the most impressive side in the tournament and they showed how lethal they can be in the last leg when hammering the Eredivisie leaders 5-1 thanks to goals by Carlos Marchena, Borja Valero, and two Nilmar strikes that sandwiched a Giuseppe Rossi effort. Mark Janko's added-time header hardly softened the blow for the Dutch side.
However, there are numerous factors that explain why Twente are [2.25] favourites to win the return leg. Firstly, Villarreal [3.35] will be without their suspended striker Nilmar, secondly their captain Gonzalo was injured in the first leg and is out for the rest of the season and thirdly - without Gonzalo - Juan Carlos Garrido's side were whipped 5-0 by Valencia at the weekend.
Twente, who are unbeaten at home in Europe this term, will have drawn great encouragement from their opponents' recent hammering, as well as the Yellow Submarine's away form in Europe, which has produced two losses and a draw from five trips abroad. Villarreal tend to play more cagily away from home and doubtless Garrido will use the match as an exercise in reminding his side how to defend - (the draw is priced at [3.65]).
The Dutch side beat an impressive Zenit St Petersburg 3-0 at home in the last round (a repeat scoreline is a huge [29.0]) and they can be trusted to exploit a raw and weakened Spanish side in front of their own supporters on Thursday.
Recommended bet: Back Twente to win @ [2.25]; back HT/FT Draw/Twente @ [5.8].
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