This season’s Europa League is gearing up to be one of the most competitive in recent years. It’s been a full package so far, with some upsets springing up here and there.
As the quarter-final fixtures kick off on Thursday, Arsenal will be looking to take a healthy first-leg lead when they face Slavia Prague at the Emirates.
The Gunners are enduring an underwhelming season and now face a real possibility of missing out on a place in Europe next season. Currently occupying 10th in the Premier League, Arsenal didn’t do themselves any favour when they lost 3-0 to Liverpool last week.
Mikel Arteta is a man under intense pressure and will be hoping to turn things around when Slavia Prague come to town. Unfortunately for Arsenal, though, their opponents are as tough as they come.
The Czech Republican side has not tasted defeat in their last 21 matches in all competitions, stretching to last December. Slavia Prague have also proved to be giant killers in the Europa League this season.
They’ve already eliminated two British clubs from the competition – Leicester City and Rangers – and are now gunning for a third casualty. In their domestic league, Slavia Prague are also comfortably 14 points clear at the top.
On current form, the Czech Republican side looks on top. However, Arsenal cannot be completely ruled out. Despite failing to win any of their last three games, the Gunners boast a superior squad and have better players.
The likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka can change the course of matches on their own.
But Slavia Prague equally have their own warriors. Peter Olayinka, Jan Kuchta and Abdallah Sima have torn teams apart in the Europa League and will do the same to Arsenal if allowed the space.
Betika, however, prices Arsenal as favourites with an odd of 1.54 while Slavia Prague is priced at 6.00. A draw is priced at 4.10.