The Europa League is back and we have Arsenal taking on Valencia in the 1st leg of the Semi Final!
Arsenal have reached the Semis after dispatching Napoli 3-0 on aggregate winning both legs in what was quite a sensational job done by the Gunners considering how good Napoli are. Meanwhile, Valencia have destroyed Villarreal 5-1 on aggregate in the Quarters also playing some fantastic football in the competition.
Entering this game, Arsenal are on a horrendous run of form. Ever since winning at Naples, they have gone to lose 3 consecutive games in the Premier League to Crystal Palace, Wolves and Leicester and done so in a very bad fashion conceding 3 goals in each game and being completely battered in the last 2 games 3-0 and 3-1 to Wolves and Leicester. Defensively the Gunners have been god awful and that’s a huge worry.
In Europa League however Arsenal have shown good form they have won each of their last 3 games in the competition keeping a clean sheet in all 3 and it does look like they tend to play better in this competition than any other and that could be the case of Unai Emery prioritising Europa League over other competitions.
As for Valencia, they hit a bit of a rut themselves having lost back to back games to Atletico and Eibar most recently after going on a 4 game win streak prior to that. They played well against Atletico only losing 3-2, but the defeat to Eibar was definitely poor at home though some may say they are focusing on Europa League more right now as well.
Valencia have been sensational in the Europa League. They entered the competition in the knockouts and they have not lost a single game in the competition and have won 5 of 6 beating Celtic and Villarreal both times while getting a win and a draw with Krasnodar in between.
Arsenal have been phenomenal at the Emirates this season. Most of their struggles this season have come away whereas at home they’ve looked like an elite team. Despite losing 2-3 to Crystal Palace in their most recent home game, the Gunners went on a 9 game win streak here prior to that and when it comes to Europa League they have won all 3 knockout games without conceding a goal against BATE 3-0, Rennes 3-0 and Napoli 2-0 and their total record here in the competition is 5W 1D 0L with lone draw coming against Sporting in what turned out to be a meaningless game as Arsenal already had secured a spot in the next round prior to kick off to that game. Arsenal have kept 5 clean sheets in their 6 home games in Europa League as well.
Valencia have been an inconsistent away from home side winning about every other game on their travels, especially lately if you look at the past 10 away games their form is DWDWDWLWWL. Valencia have a 2W 1D 0L record away from home in Europa League as they beat Celtic and Villarreal while drawing with Krasnodar. Overall, Valencia have only lost 1 away European game this season which came to Juventus if you include UCL too (2W 3D 1L) so they’re pretty good on their travels though draws have been a regular occurrence which wouldn’t be the worst result for them here considering the 2nd leg is at Mestalla.
Player to watch for Arsenal is obviously Pierre Emerick Aubameyang. He’s the top scorer with 24 goals in all competitions and has been pretty good when called upon in Europa League with 4 goals in the competition despite not starting every game.
As for Valencia, Goncalo Guedes is the man to watch. He’s been in great form for them scoring 6 goals in his last 8 apps and has been playing fantastic in Europa League as he has already bagged 3 goals in the competitions despite Valencia only entering it in the knockout stages.
Arsenal and Valencia have faced each other 4 times, twice in 00-01 CL and twice in 02-03 CL seasons and Valencia have gotten the edge over Arsenal in these meetings. Valencia have a 2W 1D 1L record against Arsenal though they failed to win in either of their 2 visits to London (1D 1L) back when Arsenal still played in Highbury so this will be the first ever meeting at the Emirates between the two.
Arsenal are tipped as the match favourites at 2.08 whereas Valencia to win is 4.00 with Draw offered at 3.40. Arsenal are slight favourites to advance as well offered at 1.80 while Valencia is 2.10. Expect a very closely contested tie here given that both sides are quite evenly matched. The odds are based on Unibet.
Team News
Arsenal: Denis Suarez, Rob Holding, Danny Welbeck and Hector Bellerin all continue to be out while Aaron Ramsey has picked up a season ending injury which could be a huge blow for the Gunners given his form. Ozil and Monreal are expected to be available despite slight knocks.
Valencia: Geoffrey Kondogbia, Cristiano Piccini and Denis Cheryshev are all out injured while Francis Coquelin is suspended for Valencia.
Betting Stats
*Valencia’s stats will also include Champions League to give a clearer look at how they get on in Europe overall this season.
Arsenal have covered just 16.7% of their total goal overs at home in UEL this season (1-1-4).
Arsenal have covered 50% of their total 1st half goal overs at home in UEL this season (3-3).
Arsenal average exactly 1 booking per game at home in the UEL this season (6 bookings in 6 games).
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang is Arsenal’s top scorer at home in the UEL with 4 home European goals this season. All 4 of his total goals have come at home for Arsenal in the competition.
Arsenal have covered 50% of their Handicaps at home in the UEL this season (3-3).
Arsenal have covered 66.7% of their 1st half Handicaps at home in the UEL this season (4-1-1).
Valencia have covered just 16.7% of their total goal overs away from home in Europe this season (1-5).
Valencia have covered just 16.7% of their total 1st half goal overs away from home in Europe this season (1-2-3).
Valencia average 3.17 bookings per game away from home in Europe this season (19 bookings in 6 games).
Goncalo Guedes is Valencia’s top scorer away from home in Europe this season with 3 away European goals and they all came in Europa League.
Valencia have covered 66.7% of their Handicaps away from home in Europe this season (4-1-1).
Valencia have covered 66.7% of their 1st half Handicaps away from home in Europe this season (4-2).
KICK OFF – 2nd May 2019 – 8pm UK Time
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