Valencia v Arsenal Betting Tips: Will Gunners get the job done?
Odds and preview for Europa League semi-final
After a dismal domestic run, Arsenal’s hopes of securing Champions League football rest almost completely on tonight’s Europa League semi-final against Valencia.
The Gunners have put themselves in a good position, having won 3-1 in last week’s first leg. But their away form is cause for concern. And this week’s Champions League semi-finals show that anything is possible over two legs.
Will they hold on to book their place in Baku? Keep reading for all the odds ahead of kick-off at 8:00pm on BT Sport 2…
Head-to-Head
Last week’s clash was the sixth meeting between these clubs, and Arsenal’s second win.
Valencia have beaten the North Londoners three times, including a penalty shoot-out victory in the 1980 Cup Winners’ Cup final.
Likely XIs
Valencia: Neto; Piccini, Garay, Paulista, Gaya; Soler, Coquelin, Parejo, Guedes; Moreno, Gameiro
Arsenal: Cech; Sokratis, Koscielny, Monreal; Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Torreira, Kolasinac; Ozil; Lacazette, Aubameyang
After lining up with three at the back in the first leg, Valencia should return to their usual 4-4-2 here.
Former Arsenal anchor man Francis Coquelin is back from suspension. He should come in for Mouctar Diakhaby.
Arsenal’s best form of defence may be attack here. One away goal should be enough to seal their place in the final, so Unai Emery is likely to select both of his star strikers.
Petr Cech will also line up in goal. He’s retiring at the end of the season, so this could be the last appearance of a superb career if Arsenal lose.
Key Battles
The onus is on Valencia here, so will Arsenal’s defence stand firm? They’ll want to keep things tight in the early stages to deny the hosts an early goal, and the momentum that would come with it.
But the Gunners have kept just three clean sheets in their last 19 away games, which means Valencia will fancy their chances of turning the tie around.
Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira will be key for the away side. If they can control the tempo, it will go a long way to sealing Arsenal’s progress.
But Rodrigo Moreno’s pace will cause them plenty of problems. And Goncalo Guedes is a real threat when cutting in from the wing.
Match Odds
Valencia are 20/23 favourites on the night, though they’re 5/2 underdogs to go through.
Arsenal are up against it here at 14/5. But our traders think they’ll get the job done at 2/7 to qualify.
There’s 14/5 about a draw after 90 minutes.
With Arsenal dangerous going forward and not so impressive at the back, Valencia and Both Sides to Score is an 11/5 shot.
Having netted nine league goals this season, Valencia captain Dani Parejo is 4/1 favourite to get the first goal or 7/5 anytime.
Kevin Gameiro is 13/8 to net, with Moreno just behind at 17/10.
Arsenal will be looking to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at 5/1 as First Goalscorer or 13/8 anytime, with Alexandre Lacazette 2/1 to get on the scoresheet.
View the latest Valencia v Arsenal odds.
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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
