Eintracht Frankfurt and Arsenal had great runs in the Europa League last season and both teams meet in the group stage this season. Arsenal travel to Germany, a place they’ve suffered heavy defeats in the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Here’s the Big Game Focus. Bet on the Europa League here.
Frankfurt were one of only two teams with a perfect record during last year’s group stage. That was impressive bearing in mind they faced strong opponents like Lazio, Apollon Limassol and Olympique Marseille. At home, they were unstoppable. They defeated those teams by an aggregate scoreline of 10-1. They went past Shakhtar Donetsk, Inter Milan and Benfica in the knockout rounds before being eliminated by Chelsea in the semis. Although they sold their two best attacking players in Luka Jovic and Sebastien Haller, they’re still a strong team and the Gunners should be wary.
After participating in the Champions League for 19 straight seasons, Arsenal have given a good account of themselves in this competition. In the two years, they’ve reached the semi-final and the final and will be attempting to go one step further this season. They were impressive in last season’s campaign where they eliminated Napoli and Valencia n the latter stages, eventually losing 4-1 in the final against Chelsea. Their trips in Germany have been forgettable. Starting with this game against Adi Hutter’s men, they can start changing that poor record.
Betting preview
Arsenal have won five of their last six Europa League matches. They’ve also won five of their last seven away matches in the tournament. Although Frankfurt have a strong home record in the competition, Arsenal are a much stronger side. Frankfurt’s squad has weakened significantly following the sale of Jovic and Haller. For that reason, you can back An Away Double Chance at odds of 1.40.
Arsenal have already conceded eight competitive goals this season, shipping five in their three away games in the Premier League. The Gunners have now kept just 3 clean sheets in their last 14 competitive matches. Nonetheless, the Gunners have failed to score in just one of their last ten Europa League matches. The German side have scored in their last five home matches in the competition. Therefore, odds of 1.55 for Both Teams to Score are attractive.
Four of Frankfurt’s last six matches in this competition have seen three or more goals scored. Six of Arsenal’s last eight Europa League matches have seen Over 2.5 Goals scored. You can back Over 2.5 Goals at odds of 1.65.
Team news
The hosts will be without Mijat Gacinovic, who picked up an injury in training last week, while former Swansea City player Jonathan de Guzman misses out due to a muscular problem. Veteran defender Marco Russ is ruled out with a long-term injury while Sebastian Rode and Goncalo Paciencia are both doubts for the game.
For Arsenal, Alexandre Lacazette is out until October with an ankle problem. New signing Kieran Tierney is still recovering from a hernia operation. Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding and Konstantinos Mavropanos are long-term absentees.
Possible line-up
Eintracht Frankfurt: Trapp; Abraham, Hinteregger, Hasebe, Rode, da Costa, Sow, Kamada, Chndler, Silva, Paciencia
Arsenal: Leno, Maitland-Niles, Luiz, Mustafi, Kolasinac, Xhaka, Willock, Torreira, Ozil, Aubameyang, Pepe