After an already long road for many of Europe’s teams, the road could now be ending for many as we come to round 5 of the 2017-18 Europa League competition. On the other hand, many teams’ stories will just be the beginning, with many underdogs still in with a fighting chance of progression, while many of the competition’s favorites have stamped their authority on the competition. Now we will find out some of the teams which we will all be rooting for in the knockout rounds, and which of those big teams can seal their place in the next round.
Today we take a look at Group H of the Europa League, with two matches that promise to entertain. The first will see Koln host Arsenal, with the home side on their last chance to progression, but must beat a mighty Arsenal side. The other match will see BATE Borisov take on Crvena Zvezda, a match which may decide which team occupies the second qualification spot of the group, while the other will be eliminated.
Koln (Ger) vs. Arsenal (Eng)
Three-Way: 1: Koln +175; X: +270 Draw; Arsenal +185 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Koln -105; Arsenal -101
Total +2.5: Over -109; Under +104
Koln
Koln will be low on confidence going into their next match, having gained just two points in their first twelve matches of their domestic league season, the worst record of any team in Europe’s top five leagues. Furthermore, they have failed to score more than once in a domestic fixture for all of the 2017-18 season so far, and have failed to win, gaining their two solitary points from two goalless draws.
The German side’s European form has also suffered from poor form, winning just once and losing the other three fixtures, which has seen them sink to the bottom of their group table. Although, their last result offered one of Koln’s only positive result of the season, with a 5:2 win over BATE in front of their desperate home crowd. The win gives Koln hope, as Europa League will now be their focus for success this season. That being said, a loss to group leaders Arsenal could eliminate the three-times German champions to further deflate their season.
Manager Peter Stoger will have a number of injuries to contend with, including left back Jonas Hector, centre-back Dominique Heintz, central-midfielders Nikolas Nartey and Marco Hoger, wingers Marcel Risse and Christian Clemens and centre-forward Simon Zoller.
Arsenal
Fans and players of Arsenal will still be celebrating their last victory, defeating North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in an emphatic 2:0 win on Saturday afternoon. The win came after a fantastic performance with a frightening forward-line of Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Alexandre Lacazette working in pure harmony, while the likes of Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi, who recently came back from injury, were stellar at the back, constantly throwing their bodies on the line. That being said, Arsenal’s performance last weekend has been repeated only rarely this season, demonstrated in their away form, winning just one league game away from home this season.
Arsenal’s away form in the Europa League has been a significant improvement against their away form domestically, having won both of their games on their travels. The Gunners’ first blip of this European campaign came in their last fixture, which they drew 0:0 at home to Crvena Zvezda, despite dominating for large parts of the match. Although a side of Arsenal’s stature would have expected to beat their relative minnows, Arsenal has fielded a less than the second-rate team in all of their Europa League games, offering their younger players opportunities in the first team and players coming back from injury the chance to regain some fitness. Using this strategy of utilizing benched and reserved players, Arsenal has still managed to take the initiative in this Europa League group and have already progressed to the next round.
Manager Arsene Wenger will have a full squad for Thursday’s other than central midfielder Santi Cazorla who is suffering from a long-term injury, while Laurent Koscielny is suspended, although neither player would have been likely to play on Thursday.
Koln (Ger) vs. Arsenal (Eng) – Match Prediction:
You might say that Arsenal may not be too bothered about their next game, having already qualified, while Koln will be vying for the win. However, this is where Arsenal’s youthful selections gain an advantage, as each player will be hoping to prove themselves to break into the first team. Add to that that Koln are in terrible form domestically, and I think that an Arsenal win becomes the obvious choice.
MY PICK: Arsenal to WIN (+185)
BATE (Bel) vs. Crvena Zvezda (Ser)
Three-Way: 1: BATE +181; X: +235 Draw; 2: Crvena Zvezda +210 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: BATE -101; Crvena Zvezda +116
Total +2.5: Over +127; Under -133
BATE
Thirteen-times Belarusian champions BATE come into their last match of the season with a chance to retain their title in what should prove to be a dramatic ending to the Belarusian premier league. BATE Borisov currently sit in third position, just one point off the top with a greater goal difference than the two teams above them, and will hope that both of those teams slip up and they are able to overcome Gorodeya this weekend.
As well as a huge crunch game in their domestic league, BATE will also be desperate to win their next Europa League game which will take them one step closer to progression to the next round for the first time since the 2012-13 season, in which they qualified for the knockout rounds through finishing third in their Champions League group. They currently sit third in group G, just one point below their next opponents.
Manager Aleksandr Yermakovich will be with a full squad for Thursday’s game other than centre-back Nemanja Milunovic who is suspended.
Crvena Zvezda
Last season’s Serbian SuperLiga runners-up Crvena Zvezda have made good headway towards bringing the domestic league trophy back to Belgrade, as they’ve gained a four-point lead at the top of the table. Furthermore, the Serbian side is in great goalscoring form, having scored fourteen goals in their last three matches, with forwards Richmond Boakye and Aleksandar Pesic netting twenty-two goals collectively this season so far.
As well as making a positive start in their domestic league, Crvena Zvezda has also begun their Europa League campaign in a positive fashion, seeing themselves placed in the second place with five points after four matches. Additionally, they have already played the strongest team in the group, Arsenal, twice, so will be confident of maintaining their position to qualify for the first knockout round of the Europa League for the first time.
Manager Vladan Milojevic will be with a full squad for Thursday’s game, other than defensive-midfielder Branko Jovicic and winger Ricardinho who are out through injury.
BATE (Bel) vs. Crvena Zvezda (Ser) – Match Prediction:
Despite this match being huge for BATE, they will probably already have one eye on their next match in which they have the chance to win their domestic league. In addition, despite their home advantage and good form, I think their opponents Crvenza Zvezda will have enough to edge their opponents in what could be a cagey affair.
MY PICK: Crvena Zvezda to WIN (+210)
Additional Pick: Under 2.5 goals (-133)
