Arsenal will be hoping to put their miserable league form behind them when they host Vitória Guimarães at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night. The Gunners suffered a 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United on Monday in the Premier League. Can they continue their good form in the Europa League? Here’s the Big Game Focus. Bet on the game here.
Unai Emery’s Arsenal come into this fixture off the back of a disappointing defeat on Monday night. However, they’ve made an impressive start to life in Group F, winning their two matches, scoring seven goals and conceding none. The Gunners have won their last six home matches in the Europa League. Can they make it seven against the Portuguese outfit?
Guimarães are currently rock bottom of Group F after losing their opening two games. The Portuguese side lost 2-0 away to Standard Liège on matchday one before being beaten 1-0 by Eintracht Frankfurt in their second match. The visitors have been solid domestically. They have lost just one of their seven league games so far. Can they transfer their domestic form to Europe?
Betting preview
The Gunners have scored three or more goals in four of their last five home matches in the Europa League. They’ve also scored Over 2.5 Goals in three of their last five home games in all competitions. You can back the Home Team to score Over 2.5 Goals at odds of 2.00.
Eighteen-year-old Gabriel Martinelli has scored four goals in five appearances in all competitions. He scored twice in Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Standard Liege. Therefore, backing Gabriel Martinelli as Anytime Goalscorer could be smart at odds of 1.75.
Arsenal are yet to concede in this season’s Europa League in their two matches. They’ve also kept six clean sheets in six of their last seven home matches in the competition. Guimaraes have not scored in this season’s Europa League. Therefore, you can back Both Teams to Score No at odds of 1.80.
Team news
With Alexandre Lacazette’s return from injury Arsenal boss Unai Emery practically has a full squad to choose from.
Valeriy Bondarenko and midfielder Lucas Evangelista are sidelined while goalkeeper Miguel Silva has only just returned to conditioned training and is therefore doubtful for this fixture.
Possible line-ups
Arsenal: Martinez, Bellerīn, Mustafi, Holding, Tierney, Torreira, Willock, Ceballos, Maitland-Niles, Saka, Martinelli.
Vitoria: Jesus, Sacko, Tapsoba, Henrique, Hanin, Agu, Poha, Pêpê, Edwards, Davidson, Bonatini