Tonight's Europa League Semifinals have a taste of...England. Atletico travel to Liverpool to defend the 1:0 of the first leg, while in Fulham, London, the local team take on Hamburg.

Liverpool v Atletico Madrid

I am sure that we all agree that this is not Liverpool’s year! A lot of injury problems, a lot of bad gossip around, some surprising defeats…and the seventh place in the Premiership league table is certainly not what we are used to from such a heroic club. Tonight, they are called to go against all odds and win qualification to the Hamburg final.

Earlier this week British newspapers reported a possible of Rafael Benitez to Juventus after the completion of the season. However, on Tuesday morning, Benitez’ agents said to BBC Sport that in is all nonsense and that there is no agreement between the two sides. This has certainly unsettled the team, but certainly not as much as the fact that tonight they are very likely to be playing without strikers Dirk Kuyt and David Ngog. Both are injured and it is not very likely that they will be fit enough to start in the line up. However, Ryan Babel is very likely to be a replacement. With Fernando Torres sideline for the rest of the season, Babel has a great chance to show what he is made of.

For the Madrilenians, key striker Sergio Agüero who missed the first-leg game is eligible to play again (he was suspended for the first game). The Argentinean is going to make a very dangerous due with Diego Forlán. The two players are more than capable of taking advantage of Liverpool’s wrecked defense, as tonight they will be missing Fábio Aurélio, Martin Škrtel, and Martin Kelly while Emiliano Insúa is also doubtful for Liverpool. If Atletico players score, they leave the home team in a very awkward situation, needing to score 3 goals to win their qualification. Therefore, a goal is what Atletico Madrid want.

This is certainly a very interesting game to watch tonight. Liverpool will need to score as they have the 1:0 of the first leg against them. As mentioned above, Atletico will want to score to seal the deal, so an open game is expected. Looking at the odds, the home win is ridiculously low and unfortunately I do not believe in it at all. What drag my attention is the option of “both teams to score” at 1.83 at Bet365. I trust this pick and I will go on it with high stakes. Good luck to all of you!

Fulham v Hamburg

This is expected to be a tricky match at Craven Cottage today considering what a lot has happened in the past few days.

Fulham’s manager Roy Hodgson was under the criticism by the local media for making eight changes in the starting eleven against Everton, playing away from home last Sunday. In the end it turned to be a great move not only because the first-team players got some rest after the long 17-hours trip to Germany but also the motivated youngsters showed an excellent performance at Goodison Park despite losing 2-1. The defensive-minded Cottagers showed a great offensive play in contrast to what they have played in Hamburg where they hadn’t had a single shot on target. This is their top priority tonight as it`s their turn to be creative and to score the goals. That`s why I think some of the players from the Everton match could be given a chance tonight. Striker Bobby Zamora is doubtful for this clash which is a huge blow for the home side.

The goalless draw of the first leg was a good result for Hamburg although they could have scored one or two goals. The pitch at Fulham is a bit smaller but Fulham have to score today and this should give the Red Shorts enough space for their offensive creativity. I am not talking only about Hamburg’s counter-attacks as the Germans have what it takes to bear up against Cottagers in the midfield as well. The humiliating 5-1 defeat to Hoffenheim last Friday might have affected the players moral but these kind of things happen. Especially when the team is still alive in both Bundesliga and Europa League. Although coach Bruno Labbadia was sacked immediately after this match against Hoffenheim, that was not only a result of this failure! Hamburg are struggling to get in the top places of Bundesliga and are very likely to be out of any European competition next season. This is the real reason that made the club’s chairman Bernd Hoffman take this decision. Therefore I think that Hamburg players will put the match of Hoffenheim behind. Interim coach Ricardo Moniz has no fresh injuries for the trip to London but defender Denis Aogo will face a late fitness test.

Fulham are the favorites here because of the home ground advantage. Home win at 2.10 or alternativly under 2.5 at 1.70 at Bet365.