Liverpool are favourites for their Europa League semi-final clash with Villarreal, but the La Liga side do not come without dangers, says Guillem Balague. Jurgen Klopps side are on a high after their dramatic 5-4 aggregate win over Borussia Dortmund in the last eight on Thursday, and must now travel to El Madrigal for the first leg on April 28.Villarreal are fourth in La Liga, and Sky Sports Spanish football expert Balague says they are strong from the back and on the counter attack. The Reds overcame Borussia Dortmund 5-4 on aggregate in the quarter-final I hope Liverpool manage to get to the next round. The little details will count for everything. Villarreal have a lot of quality, but the biggest thing is their solid base. They have one of the best defences in La Liga.They are a club who dont demand too much, the expectations arent huge and players love playing there.But now theyve got to a point where theyve got to show if theyve got what it takes to get to the next level, to show if they can consistently play in European competitions at this stage. Cedric Bakambu of Villarreal celebrates with Roberto Soldado But Liverpool are favourites in my mind, but lets remember they made their lives very difficult against Borussia Dortmund, and there are not always miracles.If Villarreal can control the game and counter attack, they will be dangerous.Individually, they are stronger than Liverpool, but I get the feeling Liverpool have found a dynamic, a mental strength to see them through. Soldados role has changed since moving back to Spain from Tottenham If they fill the stadium, it means everyone in the town will be in the stadium. Thats the contrast. The fan base is not huge.Their rise has been based on very good defence, breaking hard on the counter with a lot of pace, and with players who are there because they perhaps failed before, like [Roberto] Soldado, or because they want to jump onto other bigger clubs, like Cedric Bakambu.Villarreal have former Tottenham striker Roberto Soldado on their books, and while his time in the Premier League was a disappointment, Balague says his role has now changed from a goalscorer to a creator.Hes different to the Roberto Soldado who was here in England, the one who didnt pass and didnt score. Highlights from El Madrigal as Barcelona were held by Villarreal to a 2-2 draw last month Before he went to Spurs he was a goalscorer, now he helps more with assists. He drops deeper, and helps others to score.They have a very solid axis, Alphonse Areola the goalkeeper, Eric Bailly the centre-back is strong and will have nothing to fear, Bruno, who for me is the best midfielder Spain has outside the top three, and of course Bakambu and Soldado, who create danger.If you score against them in the first leg away from home, you have an advantage. Also See: Liverpool to face Villarreal Milner: Win will give us belief Origi: Klopp inspired us Guillem Balague Barry Bonds Jersey . The top-ranked Williams carried her winning momentum from 2013 into the new season, beating No. 2-ranked Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 7-5 on Saturday to defend her title at the Brisbane International and set the tone for the Australian Open. Brandon Belt Jersey . The weekend at Oriole Park has been less kind, with three players suffering varying degrees of injury. 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I suppose Sternberg has earned the right to speak out since his Rays, despite one of the lowest payrolls in the Majors at $58 million, are entering the final weekend of the regular season holding down the first Wild Card spot in the American League, one game ahead of Cleveland and two up on Texas.CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Michael Jordan said hes both disgusted and outraged by the racist comments allegedly made by Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling. Jordan, now the owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, released a statement Sunday addressing the matter. He said that as an owner, "Im completely disgusted that a fellow team owner could hold such sickening and offensive views." As a former player, Jordan says "Im completely outraged." An audio recording obtained by TMZ alleges that Sterling made racist comments to a girlfriend, including urging her not to bring black friends to Clippers games. 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