Valencia host Arsenal for a place in the Final of Europa League as they seek to overturn a 2 goal deficit.
The 1st leg resulted with a 3-1 win for Arsenal at the Emirates after conceding early the Gunners responded with yet another fantastic showing at home which allows them to carry a 2 goal lead to Mestalla.
Valencia just recently had a 3 game losing streak, but put that poor run of form to bed at the weekend having completely smashed Huesca 2-6 in La Liga showing some serious goal scoring form in that match up which is something they’ll need to show again here considering they need 2+ goals.
Arsenal have been on a horrendous run of form but mostly domestically as they have lost 3 and drawn 1 of their last 4 league games while conceding 10 goals (3+ goals in 3 of those games) which has caused them to finish outside the top 4 meaning the Europa League title is the only way they can get into the Champions League. Arsenal have been on great form in Europa League though in contrast to their league form winning 4 straight games while conceding just 1 goal.
What gives hope for Valencia in this tie is the fact that they are playing at home. Valencia have lost their last home game to Eibar 0-1, however before that they went 20 unbeaten winning 15 of those at Mestalla.
Valencia have won 8 straight Europa League home games, 3 of those this season beating Celtic 1-0, Krasnodar 2-1 and Villarreal 2-0. In Europe overall, Valencia have a 5W 0D 1L record at home with the lone loss coming to Juventus. Valencia beat an English side at home already this season dispatching Man Utd 2-1.
Arsenal’s away form has been nothing short of horrendous this season and especially in 2019 as they’ve only managed 4 wins on their travels (1D 7L). The Gunners have lost on their last 2 travels to Wolves and Leicester by comfortable margins 3-1 and 3-0 which truly is a concern.
Arsenal have won 4 of their 6 away European games though 3 of those came in the Group Stages. They lost 2 of 3 away in the knockouts although they won their last one away at Napoli 0-1 when they were in a similar situation protecting a 2 goal lead in the 2nd so maybe they can use that as a boost of confidence to get an away result which is something they have rarely been doing lately
Player to watch for Valencia is Goncalo Guedes. He’s dipped in form lately having not scored in each of his last 4 apps, but he did have 5 goals in the 4 apps prior to that and he’s their top scorer in the Europa League with 3 goals in the competition so far.
For Arsenal the players to watch are the duo of Lacazette and Aubameyang. They both had sensational performances last week with Lacazette scoring 2 (3 in last 2 EL apps), Aubameyang scoring once and assisting once in the 1st leg. Aubameyang has been in good form scoring 4 in his last 6 apps plus he’s their top scorer with 26 across all competitions so you can always expect goals from him.
Valencia and Arsenal have faced off at Mestalla twice before and Valencia won both meetings beating Arsenal 1-0 in 2001 and 2-1 in 2003. It has been over a decade since the last meeting here.
Arsenal have not won in any of their last 7 visits to Spain (5L) and have lost in each of their last 4.
Arsenal’s coach Unai Emery has won 18 consecutive knockout ties in the Europa League having not lost one since 2012. Furthermore Arsenal have never been knocked out of a European tie after taking a 2+ goal lead after the 1st leg. Historically it seems like the Gunners are in great hands here to advance.
Valencia are bookies favourites to win this game at 1.93 with Arsenal to win offered at 3.90 and Draw being 3.90. Arsenal are massively favoured to go through though at 1.30 whereas Valencia are 3.60. The tie is definitely not over yet given how much better Valencia are at home and how poor Arsenal are away and considering the comebacks we’ve seen in Europe already this week, this tie by no means is anywhere near over despite the 2 goal advantage for Arsenal. The odds are based on Unibet.
Team News
Valencia: Francis Coquelin is back from suspension and will be available to face his former side while Kondogbia and Cheryshev remain out.
Arsenal: Ramsey, Denis Suarez, Welbeck, Bellerin and Holding all remain out for the Gunners.
Betting Stats
*Valencia’s stats will also include Champions League stats for bigger indication on how they get on in Europe this season.
Valencia have covered 50% of their total goal overs in Europe at home this season (3-3).
Valencia have covered 33.3% of their total 1st half goal overs at home in Europe this season, though 50% of them were Voided (2-3-1).
Valencia average 1.83 bookings per game at home in Europe this season (11 bookings in 6 games).
Rodrigo, Santi Mina and Carlos Soler are Valencia’s top scorers at home in Europe with 2 home European goals this season each.
Valencia have covered 50% of their Handicaps at home in Europe this season (3-1-2).
Valencia have covered 66.7% of their 1st half Handicaps at home in Europe this season (4-2).
Arsenal have covered 50% of their total goal overs away from home in UEL this season (3-3).
Arsenal have covered 33.3% of their total 1st half goal overs away from home in UEL this season (2-1-3).
Emile Smith-Rowe is Arsenal’s top scorer away from home in the UEL this season with 2 away European goals. Lacazette, Ramsey, Willock, Iwobi, Welbeck, Sokratis and Guenduozi have all the other away UEL goals for Arsenal with 1 each.
Arsenal average exactly 2 bookings per game away from home in UEL this season (12 bookings in 6 games).
Arsenal have covered 66.7% of their Handicaps away from home in UEL this season (4-2).
Arsenal have covered 50% of their 1st half Handicaps away from home in UEL this season (3-1-2).
KICK OFF – 9th May 2019 – 8pm UK Time
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