Valencia vs. Arsenal – Betting Tips & Europa League Preview

If it weren’t for Aubameyang’s goal in the injury time back at Emirates Stadium, Valencia would have excellent chances to reach the finals of the Europa League. To concede a late goal is something very uncharacteristic for these guys who are usually the ones who strike at that time. After all, goals in injury time the Bats have scored against Krasnodar and Villarreal were the reason why they advanced all the way here. Marcelino’s guys won those games in the late part of the respective halftimes.

Valencia plays well at home, and a defeat against Eibar two weeks ago was the first one at Mestalla after more than five months. Although in recent times, things weren’t that good for the Spaniards who had three consecutive losses until this weekend. That cold-streak stopped with a convincing victory over Huesca on the road, 2-6, which came at the right moment to lift the morale of the Spanish side and to bring back the self-esteem to the attacking part of the crew.

Arsenal is in a desperate situation, because of the humiliation in the Premiership. Their draw against Brighton and Hove Albion, 1-1 marked the end of the Champions League hunt through the national championship, and the fans were out of rage. They want someone’s head or the trophy in the Europa Leauge.

Arsenal had four straight Premiership games without a win which eventually led up to this situation. Their results on the road are terrible, and on the last two road trips, Emery’s company allowed three goals, which is not so comforting before the start of this match. Gunners managed to keep clean sheets just twice in the latest 10 contests.

Team News

Denis Cheryshev and Geoffrey Kondogbia are ruled out for this event, and that is about it for the hosts. All other players are 100% fit.

Now, Emery has enormous troubles with injuries which followed him through the entire season. Aaron Ramsey is not available, and the Welsh player will soon leave for Turin because he signed for Juventus. Danny Welbeck, Bellerin, Denis Suarez, and Rob Holding are also ruled out for this event.

Prediction

Arsenal is terrible on the road. Even against much weaker teams in the Premier League, the Gunners can’t win, and they struggle on the pitch. It is why we need to back up the home team in this clash. Valencia knows how to pressure the rivals at home and the Spanish side will find at least one weak spot of the visitors, that is for sure. Their victory can bring nice profit, and that is why we propose to bet on that. Marathon Bet has the highest odds on this one @ 10/11.

However, Valencia’s win doesn’t mean that the Spanish side is going to advance to the finals. We are more than positive that the Gunners are going to score at least once in this match. Don’t forget that Emery used to work in Spain and that he knows a lot of things about Valencia and their style of play.

He is a Spaniard too and understands the whole atmosphere surrounding the match. Now, Arsenal has one very lethal weapon, and that is their counter-attack, which will have a lot of opportunities to show its strength. Valencia needs to play more offensive, and they will have to expose their back line at a certain moment. Both teams to score has the highest odds are Bet365 @4/7.

Source: Whoscored.com