Key storylines ahead of Matchday five in the Europa League
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Arsenal, Everton and Milan all in action
The Europa League group stages may almost be at an end, but there are still some intriguing issues to be cleared up.
Ahead of Matchday five, the Coral News Team look at Arsenal, Everton and the fate of little-known Swedish outfit Ostersunds.
Plus, will Milan be able to overcome their home hoodoo against Austria Wien?
Arsenal to maintain unbeaten run
The Gunners are already through to the knockout stages of the Europa League. But can they maintain their unbeaten run against Koln?
Arsene Wenger’s men have won three and drawn one of their games in Group H so far. And that includes a convincing 3-1 success over tonight’s opponents on the opening matchday.
With Koln bottom of both the Bundesliga and Group H, Wenger’s young guns should have what it takes to pull off another victory at the RheinEnergieStadion. They’re 8/5 to win in Germany, with Olivier Giroud rated the most likely anytime goalscorer at 6/4.
Can Everton salvage some pride?
Everton have endured a nightmare time in the Europa League. The Toffees are winless in Group E and had their exit from the competition confirmed with defeat at Lyon last time out.
Back at Goodison Park tonight, David Unsworth will want his side to restore some pride. They’re quietly putting a decent run of results together too. The Merseysiders are unbeaten in two, their best run since late September.
You can get them at 11/5 to see off Atalanta tonight. However, a better option could be Everton to Win and Both Teams to Score at 24/5.
Milan primed to qualify
Milan may be finding it tough in Serie A, but they’re having no such trouble in the Europa League. I Rossoneri are top of their group and know that three points at home to Austria Wien this evening will see them through.
However, that may not be as easy as it seems. Milan haven’t won in four at the San Siro and laboured to a 0-0 draw against AEK Athens in their last UEL home match.
With that in mind – and taking into account Wien are unbeaten away from home in Europe this season – the Coral News Team think this may be a tough assignment for the hosts. Milan should have the quality to edge past their opponents at 2/7. And with a tight game expected, Milan and Under 2.5 Goals makes similar sense at 16/5.
Ostersunds FK to continue the fairytale?
Ostersunds manager Graham Potter was working at Leeds Metropolitan University before taking the manager’s job at Ostersunds. Seven years later and the Englishman has guided the provincial Swedish club to within a whisker of the Europa League knockout rounds.
Victory at home to Zorya Luhansk tonight would be enough to see the European first-timers through. They’ve already taken four points from Hertha Berlin and Athletic Bilbao at the Jamtkraft Arena. So they’ll fancy their chances this evening.
Coral go 5/6 on a home win for Potter’s men.
Crunch clash for Marseille
Marseille may be second in Group I, but their passage through to the last-32 is far from secure. Tonight’s game away at Konyaspor could have huge ramifications. If Les Olympiens win, they could go through. However, if they lose, they could drop to the bottom of the group.
In such a tight mini-league, anything really could happen. And worryingly for Marseille, they’ve lost both away games in the group so far. That makes Konyaspor appealing at 16/5. Both sides tend to struggle in front of goal and that could make the 7/10 on offer for there to be Under 2.5 Goals the one to be on.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
