With three wins from three in the Europa League so far, Arsenal can qualify for the knockout stages of the competition with another win over Red Star Belgrade next week. The two teams meet at the Emirates Stadium, with Arsene Wenger set to continue to use his second string for such matches.
Match Preview
Premier League side Arsenal may still be coming to terms with the fact that they are not participating in the Champions League, however they have made relatively light work of their opponents to date, including their win against Red Star in Belgrade last week. However, with their opponents also in with a good chance of making it through to the next stage of the competition, it is all to play for in North London. Despite the Gunners being the firm favourites for victory, there are a whole host of appealing betting markets ahead of kick-off. Let’s take a closer look at the two teams, starting with Arsenal.
Arsenal Team News & Form
Despite struggling for consistency in the Premier League, where three defeats already have left them in fifth position in the standings, Arsenal’s back-up players have made Europa League Group H look easy so far. The Gunners have defeated Cologne, Bate Borisov and Red Star already in the competition, with another three points confirming their qualification next week. The likes of Olivier Giroud, Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott look set to continue their prominent roles for Arsenal in the competition, with the former having scored a brilliant winner when the two teams met in Serbia last time out. Arsenal come into the match having defeated Championship side Norwich City after extra-time in the league cup, while the Gunners host Swansea City in the Premier League at the weekend.
Red Star Belgrade Team News & Form
The visitors travel to England next week having beaten Spartak Subotica in the Serbian SuperLiga, leaving them top of the standings with 12 wins from their 14 meetings to date. Vladan Milojević’s men can perhaps count themselves a little unlucky not to have earned anything from their encounter with Arsenal last week, with the Serbian side visiting London in hope rather than in expectation. Their single victory to date came against Bundesliga outfit FC Cologne, with Mitchell Donald and striker Richmond Boakye among Red Star’s most talented players.
Head to Head
Before last week’s clash in Serbia, the two teams had never previously met in a competitive fixture. However, with Arsenal having earned a narrow victory against Red Star thanks to Olivier Giroud’s goal, it is Arsene Wenger’s side who are the firm favourites for victory.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Given the result between the two clubs last week, it perhaps comes as a surprise that it is Arsenal who are the firm favourites to claim all three points in front of their home supporters with the majority of bookmakers. The home side can be backed for the win at odds of 1/3 with Ladbrokes, while the same bookmaker has the visitors as the underdogs, with odds of 8/1.
Top Betting Tip
Our top betting tip for the match is to bet on their being over 2.5 goals and Red Star Belgrade not to score, which can be backed at odds of 7/2 with Ladbrokes.