Europa League preview: Villarreal, Dortmund vie for survival

Villarreal host Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday in a crucial Group D battle which could decide who advances to the Europa League knockout stages.

The La Liga side head into the tie with the Croatian champions in the knowledge that defeat, coupled with victory for PAOK over Brugge in the other Group D encounter, would end their hopes of qualification.

Yet Villarreal defender Joan Capdevila is not only confident of progressing into the last 32, but has his sights set on winning the trophy.

“We don’t really have any star players but the experienced guys have already played very important matches with the national team and with the club in European competitions which is crucial especially at key moments and in critical situations. They push the young guys on,” Capdevila told uefa.com.

“Maybe nobody really reckons with us, but our objective is to win the Europa League. Atletico de Madrid did it last season so why can’t we emulate that?”

Dinamo, who have failed to score on Spanish soil during their only two attempts, top the group on seven points, equal with PAOK and one point ahead of Villarreal.

BATE Borisov have already qualified for the knockout stages, but will aim to finish their Group E campaign on a high when they host Dynamo Kiev.

The Belarusian champions can guarantee top spot in the group with a win or a low-scoring draw, but their Ukrainian opponents will be desperate to book their place in the final 32 with victory on Thursday.

Sheriff and AZ Alkmaar will face off in a battle for survival in the remaining Group E fixture, with the winner maintaining hope of a top-two finish should Kiev lose or draw, while the loser will be eliminated.

A draw would see both sides eliminated from the tournament.

Russian powerhouse CSKA Moscow will aim to register their fifth consecutive win of the campaign when they host Swiss side Lausanne Sports in Group F.

Serie A side Palermo can keep their slim chances of qualification alive when they host Sparta Praha in the group’s other fixture.

Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla will fight for top spot in Group J when they do battle in France, while Borussia Dortmund will hope to keep their European campaign alive with victory over Karpaty.

In Group K, Liverpool host Steaua Bucharest, while Napoli and Utrecht face off in the Netherlands with both sides looking for their maiden Europa League win this campaign.

Porto can wrap up first place in Group L when they travel to Rapid Vienna, while Besiktas will secure qualification to the knockout stages with victory over CSKA Sofia in Bulgaria.