Dnipro v Sevilla final: reporter's view

Strengths
Igor Linnyk: Myron Markevych's side have been perhaps the most tactically astute team in the competition, reading the game superbly to see off far more fancied opponents. FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk have proven themselves masters of getting results when it matters and stopping their opponents playing their own game. They patiently wait for the slightest error and punish, their semi-final with SSC Napoli summing up the approach perfectly.

Santi Retortillo: If you had to sum up Unai Emery's Sevilla FC in one word, it would be 'strength'. Finalists for the second season in succession, the Blanquirrojos head to the National Stadium in Warsaw with a record of W10 D3 L1 in this season's UEFA Europa League, Emery's men having hit their peak in the knockout phase, where they have won seven and drawn one – 2-2 against FC Zenit in Russia.

Konoplyanka is Dnipro's main threat©AFP/Getty Images

Weaknesses
Igor Linnyk: The Ukrainian outfit's work rate, tempo and tactics cannot be faulted but, compared to others at this level, they are lacking when it comes to players who take the initiative. Barring playmaker Yevhen Konoplyanka, they do not have those who can consistently take on a marker or create from nothing, leaving them open to accusations of predictability.

Santi Retortillo: Finding chinks in Sevilla's armour is not easy, but a team that is at its best playing on the counterattack might find themselves in a more unfamiliar role as they take on a Dnipro side renowned for defensive resilience.

Form
Igor Linnyk: The coach's rotation policy has allowed Dnipro to enter the final stages of the season as fresh as could be hoped, something reflected in their pleasing form, which unsurprisingly runs parallel with that of Konoplyanka. At the top of his game at the moment, the No10's goal at AFC Ajax put the side into the quarter-finals and he expertly laid on the semi-final clincher against Napoli.

Santi Retortillo: Matching Spain's big two is near impossible for any side, but Sevilla's results in all competitions this season (Liga, Copa del Rey and UEFA Europa League) have been a model of consistency. They have been defeated in just 11 of their 59 games – a notable improvement on last year, when they lost 15.

Final pedigree
Igor Linnyk: Twice winners of the Soviet Cup, the club have not lifted silverware since 1989 and have lost three Ukrainian Cup finals since in 1995, 1997 and 2004. The current Dnipro squad lack experience of battling for trophies, but compensate with their eagerness and dedication.

Santi Retortillo: Sevilla have won all three of their major UEFA finals, though they have needed spot kicks since a 4-0 success against Middlesbrough FC in the 2005/06 UEFA Cup. It took penalties to dislodge RCD Espanyol the following year after a 2-2 draw, and last season's final was goalless.

One to watch
Igor Linnyk: Like all Dnipro's opponents, the Spanish side will focus on Konoplyanka. The most fouled man in this season's competition – 45 times; the next highest is 25 – will attract markers and allow others space to potentially make the difference. Ruslan Rotan could profit. He is a danger from set pieces, has an eye for the final pass and the skipper could be the man to have a decisive say in Warsaw.

Santi Retortillo: Kevin Gameiro has scored in each of Sevilla's last three two-legged ties, including the late goal that spared them extra time against Zenit in the quarter-finals. The Frenchman found the target within seconds of coming off the bench at home against ACF Fiorentina, and converted the winning penalty in last season's final shoot-out. Could he be the ace up Emery's sleeve once more?

Dnipro keeper Denys Boyko©AFP/Getty Images

Prediction
Igor Linnyk: Only one of Dnipro's 16 UEFA Europa League matches this season has been won by a margin of more than one goal [2-0 v Olympiacos FC in the round of 32 first leg] so expect another tight game in Warsaw. Denys Boyko, who has kept five clean sheets in the eight knockout games, can expect another busy evening and it would be no surprise to see the final decided from the penalty spot again.

Santi Retortillo: Finals are unpredictable, but by any measure – form, pedigree, squad strength – Sevilla are the favourites, as they were against Middlesbrough when they won their first UEFA Cup. The finals against Espanyol and Benfica were more cagey, but expect something more direct and deadly in Warsaw.

Possible starting XI
Dnipro: Boyko; Fedetskiy, Douglas, Cheberyachko, Léo Matos; Kankava, Rotan, Fedorchuk, Matheus, Konoplyanka; Kalinić.

Sevilla: Rico; Coke, Carriço, Kolodziejczak, Trémoulinas; Mbia, Krychowiak; Aleix Vidal, Banega, Vitolo; Bacca.

Kevin Gameiro can inflict huge damage coming off the bench©AFP/Getty Images