Key Europa League storylines including Arsenal & Everton

Prem pair involved in intriguing clashes

The Europa League returns for Matchday Four this Thursday, with crucial ties across the continent – not least for a Premier League pair. It’s last chance saloon for Everton in Lyon, while Arsenal could potentially guarantee top spot with victory over Crvena Zvezda.

Elsewhere, there’s a couple more eye-catching ties among the evening’s TV games. Here are the Coral News Team’s best bets on the evening’s key encounters…

Arsenal v Crvena Zvezda

The Gunners haven’t been firing on all cylinders lately, but they have been grinding results out. Despite trailing in each of the last three games, they’ve come out with a crucial victory in each one. Arsenal to Win from Behind looks good value here at 15/2.

The Serbian side are rarely short of a goal, having scored in 11 of their last 13 games.

That figure is 12 from 13 for Arsene Wenger’s men, who are now looking for a fifth victory on the spin. Arsenal to Win and Both Teams to Score looks good value at 7/4.

As for the goal-getters, Aaron Ramsey is 19/10 to score for a third game in succession. However, the best value could be with the visitors’ Aleksandar Pesic. He’s managed nine goals this term, and is 13/5 in the Anytime Goalscorer market.

Olympique Lyonnais v Everton

The Toffees were somewhat unfortunate to lose the fractious reverse fixture 2-1 at Goodison Park. And with anything less than victory in Lyon ending the Merseysiders’ European hopes, they’ll be fired up for this visit to Groupama Stadium.

With the last meeting so tight, the Everton +2 handicap looks good value at 8/13. However, with Lyon on a four-game winning streak of their own, a positive result might be beyond the visitors.

The value does look to lie in this being a high-scoring affair. Four of Lyon’s last five games have produced five or more goals. Meanwhile, Everton have scored in six from eight – but haven’t kept a clean sheet in that period. Over 3.5 Goals looks good value at 6/4, while Coral are offering a tasty 7/2 for Over 4.5.

Also at 7/2 is Both Teams to Score in First Half. That’s happened in three of Les Gones’ last seven games, as it did in Everton’s meeting with Arsenal 10 days ago.

Lazio v Nice

These two are night and day as far as recent form goes. Lazio have won eight on the spin – ending Juventus’ two-year unbeaten home league record. By contrast, Les Aiglons have lost five on the spin, including a 3-1 defeat in the reverse fixture.

While victory for I Biancocelesti looks a solid bet at 8/13, the best value lies elsewhere. The hosts head into this game having scored a whopping 26 goals in eight games. Lazio to Win and Over 3.5 Goals is 27/10, while the Lazio -1 handicap also looks generously priced at 8/5.

In the scorer markets, the Coral News Team are tipping up Ciro Immobile. The Italy international has scored an astonishing 18 goals in 15 outings this term. That’s included a brace or hat-trick in five of them, and he’s 13/5 to Score 2 Goals or More yet again.

AEK Athens v AC Milan

Big-spending Milan haven’t had it all their own way this season. They head to the Greek capital on the back of one win in six games. That included a 0-0 draw with Enosis at the San Siro.

The Greek side have been hit-and-miss of late. They’ve failed to score in three of the last six games, but head into this game on the back of successive wins. That means the safest bet here looks to be Under 2.5 Goals at 4/6.

With the last meeting a cagey affair and this being a must-not-lose game for Group D’s top two, the draw at 9/4 seems the most likely outcome.

Of AEK’s last six games, five have seen one side or fewer find the net. Both Teams to Score – No looks a savvy selection at 20/23. This one could be an intriguing, chess-like affair. But don’t tune in expecting goals.

Click here for the latest Europa League odds from Coral.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing