Previews
WED 17.02.2016
Villarreal CF- SSC Napoli (19:00)
Two old adversaries cross swords once again. The Spanish side have pitted their skills against the Italians on four previous occasions, Villareal emerging with one win, one draw and two defeats. In this initial Europa League Round of 32 showdown, Marcelino García Toral's charges will be looking to rain on the Italian side's parade for the second time, although they will need to tread carefully with Marek Hamsik, who has found the back of the net in three of the four matches played to date. The injured Adrian Lopez Alvarez, Samu Castillejo and Eric Bailly will miss out on the proceedings this time round.
Sevilla FC - Molde (19:00)
Sevilla CF are eager to capitalise on strong LaLiga performances and, despite enjoying life in the Champions League, they are determined to reassert their mastery in this competition, as title winners on no less than four previous occasions. With the tournament silverware from the past two years carefully stowed away in their trophy cabinet and a show of impressive form on home turf in the domestic championship, where they have not dropped a point since 20 September, confidence is running high. Grzegorz Krychowiak and Nicolás Pareja will not feature in the line up against the Norwegian side.
Valencia CF - SK Rapid Wien (21:05)
Just like Sevilla, Valencia CF have one foot in the Champions League. Gary Neville's first taste of victory with the Che against RCD Espanyol in LaLiga has served to alleviate the pressure on a team that can now breathe a little easier going into this game. This is the first time Valencia and Rapid Wien have locked horns but the results of the last four games in which the Valencian's took on Austrian challengers at the Mestalla, all ending in victory for the hosts, look to be a good omen. The names of injured Aymen Abdennour and Javi Fuego and that of suspended Shkodran Mustafi will be missing from the match list.
Olympique de Marseille - Athletic Club (21:05)
Athletic Club are the only Spanish team hitting the road for their opening match, heading out intent on securing themselves a good result that they can consolidate on back at the San Mames stadium. This will be the first opportunity the two sides will have had to get the measure of each other but the odds are tipped in Athletic's favour, with Aritz Aduriz's six-goal tally positioning him as one of the competition's top scorers. Ibai Gomez and Raul Garcia, recovering from their respective injuries, will be sidelined for the showdown against the French outfit.
© LALIGA - 2016