Football Results

First semi-final matches of the Europa League are on schedule on Thursday evening, and in the far more attractive one Arsenal from London faces Atletico Madrid. Many agree that this is in fact final before final as unlike Marseille and Salzburg this two teams were regular in knockout phase of the Champions League in previous years. It is interesting that Arsenal and Atletico have never met in that competition and in fact this is their first head-to-head in recent history.

Arsenal

Right because of that it is going to be interesting to see which team will better handle the semi-finals, especially as the Gunners from London play more offensive football than the Madrilenians, and on top of it they have much stronger motive. It is already clear that Arsenal cannot reach the Champions League through the Premiership as at the moment it lags behind for 4th-placed Tottenham for even 11 points, and can play in the elite UEFA club competition next year only if it wins the Europa League.

On the other hand, Arsenal fans are aware that their opponent in the semi-final have one of best defences in Europe, and it would very important for the Gunners to make any kind of advantage in the 1st leg. Regarding situation with players, it is known from before that forward Aubameyang cannot play, while midfielders Elneny and Cazorla are injured, while besides them are questionable not fully recovered midfielders Mkhitaryan and Wilshere, and goalkeeper Cech.

Probable lineups Arsenal: Ospina – Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal – Ramsey, Xhaka – Welbeck, Ozil, Iwobi – Lacazette

Atletico Madrid

Unlike Arsenal which only hope to play in the Champions League next year is to win the Europa League, we are going to see Atletico Madrid in the group phase of that competition one way or another, given that at the moment this team occupies the second place in La Liga table, having unreachable 16 points more than 5th-placed Betis. Atletico met right that team last weekend at home and in the end result read unpopular 0-0.

Since before that Atletico lost away to Real Sociedad 3-0, its advantage over 3rd-placed Real Madrid has reduced to just four points, but the Kings have played one match fewer. On the other hand, leading Barcelona currently has even 11 points more than Atletico and also played one match less, so it is quite certain that that Catalans will win the champion title. Let’s add that due to injuries out of action are still defenders Juanfran and Filipe Luis, and forward Diego Costa.

Probable lineups Atletico Madrid: Oblak – Vrsaljko, Godin, Savic, Hernandez – Correa, Thomas, Koke, Niguez – Griezmann, Gameiro

Verdict:

Although the Gunners from London have much stronger motive and series of six consecutive victories at home, we all know that the guests from Madrid are one of toughest European teams, which is why we have opted here for a pick with few goals.

Pick:  under 2.5 goals 1.83 - 83/100 @1XBet