Arsenal vs Villarreal Predictions and Betting Tips
Unai Emery would return to the Emirates hoping to lead Villarreal to the Europa League final as they take on Arsenal in the second leg of the semis. Read on for our expert tips and predictions.
In a game in which both sides saw red, Villarreal beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Estadio de la Ceramica, taking a slight advantage to England. However, the Gunners would certainly feel the game is still there to be won given their away goal in the previous match.
Highly-enthralling matchup on the cards
It all looked done and dusted for the Gunners when Ceballos saw red with the side being 2-0 down. However, some brilliant work from Saka on the wing managed to get the Gunners a penalty which was brilliantly converted by Pepe. Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Newcastle during the weekend doesn’t take them any closer to a European berth as they are a couple of points behind Liverpool and Everton who have a game in hand. Would Arteta’s boys manage to sneak into European football next season by lifting the Europa League? They would first have to get past their former boss this Thursday.
Villarreal, on the other hand, is well into the Europa League places as they currently sit in the 6th position on the La Liga table. They followed that win against Arsenal with another victory against Getafe, Yeremi Pino scoring the only goal of the game. Unai Emery’s Europa League pedigree would certainly be a huge factor heading into this game with the Spaniard winning the trophy three times with Sevilla from 2014 to 2016. Can he guide his side to yet another Europa League final?
Arsenal vs Villarreal Team News
Capoue is suspended for this game while Foyth and Iborra are both ruled out. Arteta, on the other hand, has a fully fit squad to pick from.
Arsenal possible starting XI:
Leno; Chambers, Mari, Gabriel, Cedric; Xhaka, Elneny; Martinelli, Odegaard, Saka; Aubameyang
Villarreal possible starting XI:
Asenjo; Estupinan, Torres, Funes Mori, Gaspar; Parejo, Coquelin; Chukwueze, Moreno, Gomez; Alcacer
Arsenal vs Villarreal Prediction: 1-1
Arsenal are one of the few sides that are better on their travels than they are on home soil. Villarreal, on the other hand, are heading into this game in decent form, and given their manager is a Europa League specialist, we would back them to reach the final to face either Roma and Manchester United.
