Big Match Breakdown: Qarabag v Arsenal
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Odds and tips for Europa League clash
Arsenal will be looking to make it back-to-back wins in the Europa League when they travel to Qarabag tonight.
The 4-2 scoreline made the Gunners’ comfortable win over Vorskla Poltava look a little more competitive.
Danny Welbeck notched two goals in that one, whilst Qarabag fell 2-0 away to Sporting Lisbon.
The match is live from 5.55pm (UK Time) on BT Sport 2 and the Coral News Team have everything you need to know ahead of the big match…
Head-to-head
This is the first time the two clubs will meet in their history.
Whilst Arsenal have never previously met a team from Azerbaijan, Qarabag’s four meetings with English sides have ended in defeat.
Qarabag may cause Unai Emery’s team some problems though, as of September 2018 the Baku-based side were ranked 65 on the UEFA coefficient table.
They sit above both Celta Vigo and Galatasary and just two places below Inter Milan.
Likely XIs
After political tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Arsenal’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been left at home for the away trip.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Aaron Ramsey have also not travelled.
Alex Iwobi could be rewarded for his recent performances with a start, Sead Kolasinac and Stephan Lichsteiner may also be recalled.
Qarabag midfielder Dani Quintana will miss the game as he continues his recovery from injury.
Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Tour Halldorsson could come back into the starting eleven tonight.
Key Battles
Sokratis should return to the defence alongside Rob Holding for Arsenal.
Danny Welbeck will be looking to add to his tally in this competition.
Qarabag defenders Yakub Jeznicak and Badavi Huseynov will also have to be wary of the wily Mesut Ozil.
Their boss Gurban Gurbanov has warned they are playing against one of the biggest teams in England.
He will hope the likes of Innocent Emeghara and Mike keep the Arsenal defence on their toes.
Match Odds
Arsenal are 4/9 to bag the three points away from home. Qarabag are 7/1 to win their first game against an English club.
The draw’s 17/5.
Despite not having Ramsey, Mkhitaryan or Aubameyang at their disposal Arsenal shouldn’t be short of goals.
They’re 7/2 to win by 3 or more goals.
Danny Welbeck is 9/2 to bag 2 or more. Arsenal have only kept two clean sheets all season though and Emeghara is 14/5 to score anytime.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
