MADRID, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Three Spanish teams are in Europa League action on Wednesday night with one side facing what looks like a relatively straightforward evening, while two will have to show personality if they are to qualify for the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Villarreal look to have the easiest game of Thursday evening when they entertain Zenit St Petersburg in the Estadio de la Ceramica.
Villarreal are struggling domestically in La Liga, although last weekend they won 2-0 away to Levante to climb out of the relegation zone, with that win coming hot on the heels of a 3-1 win away to Zenit, who lead the Russian league.
That win has clearly boosted morale at the club and progress to the last eight should confirm an upward trend just when it's needed most.
Valencia travel to Russia to face Krasnodar, who sit second in the Russian league, after a 2-1 home win in the first leg.
Marcelino's Garcia Toral's team had looked to be cruising in the first leg thanks to two goals from Rodrigo Moreno, but a second half strike for the Russian side gave them the lifeline of a vital away goal and made Valencia's task much tougher.
The Spaniards will be confident of progress, however, as the game comes as they are playing their best football of the season with a 13-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
Sevilla travel to play Slavia Prague after a 2-2 draw in the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium a week ago, meaning that Pablo Machin's men are obliged to score in the Czech Republic.
The good news for Machin is that Sevilla's domestic form hit top gear last weekend with a 5-2 thrashing of Real Sociedad, with striker Wissam Ben Yedder netting a hat-trick.
The Frenchman is Sevilla's main threat in attack with 26 goals in all competitions this season, including nine in Europe, and if he and Pablo Sarabia can continue their understanding up front, Sevilla's cause is far from lost.
