Europa League Predictions For Arsenal, Manchester United Matches

Critics of Arsenal’s brilliant start to the season were quick to point out that the Gunners had not yet faced any real tests to their Premier League supremacy, but such talk has quietened down with back-to-back wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, even if the latter success was full of controversy.

Match Preview

Even when the writing was on the wall at the Emirates Stadium, the traveling Bodo/Glimt supporters were in full voice throughout the evening, but their unwavering support could not prevent their side from going down 3-0 to the rampant Premier League leaders.

Eddie Nketiah’s finish, Rob Holding’s header, and Fabio Vieira’s first European goal for Arsenal condemned Bodo/Glimt to a humbling defeat in North London, and their knockout fate is now out of their own hands with half of their games gone.

The Norwegian champions find themselves level on points with PSV Eindhoven in third place in the Group A standings – both picking up four apiece so far – but the Dutch outfit still have a game in hand and will expect to run out comfortable winners over FC Zurich later this week.

Knutsen’s side could still upset the apple cart in the Europa League but are firmly at risk of dropping down to the Europa Conference League for a second consecutive season, and they warmed up for this game in ideal fashion with a 4-1 Eliteserien victory over Sandefjord on Sunday.

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However, that success marked Bodo/Glimt’s eighth game in a row without a clean sheet in any tournament, but they have countered such frailties with a 16-game scoring streak on home soil since May, and such proficiency must be at its peak if they are to shock the Gunners.

Incredibly, Bodo/Glimt have won each of their last 14 home games in European competition and could now equal a 15-match victorious run from Barcelona, which ended in 2017, but that record is certainly at risk of coming to an end against an Arsenal side who are daring to dream.

Two goals from Bukayo Saka and a quickfire opener from Gabriel Martinelli ultimately saw Arsenal end their recent hoodoo against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, and Mikel Arteta’s youthful crop are still holding off Manchester City at the top of the Premier League standings, but there is still just one point in it.

Talk of a Premier League title challenge is still very premature for Arsenal, whose goal of going all the way in the Europa League is still well and truly alive after their previous failed ventures, and they could find themselves five points clear at the top of Group A if results go their way here.

With their winning streak in all competitions now standing at five matches, Arsenal travel to Norway aiming to score away from home in the Europa League for the 17th game running, and several players will aim to stake their claims for more prominent roles in the Gunners’ domestic push.

Team news

Aside from midfielders Sondre Fet and Gaute Hoberg Vetti, who are absent with knee and hip injuries respectively, Knutsen should be working with a fully-fit Bodo/Glimt squad for Thursday’s contest.

Bodo/Glimt found themselves 1-0 down at halftime against Sandefjord before Knutsen relented and introduced Runar Espejord and Ulrik Saltnes, both of whom ought to come back into the first XI this week.

Joel Mvuka and Ola Solbakken will continue their battle for supremacy on the right-hand side of the attack, and the fresh legs of the former may be preferred from the first whistle at the Aspmyra Stadion.

As for Arsenal, Mohamed Elneny (hamstring) and Emile Smith Rowe (groin) are still watching on from the sidelines, and Arteta will be loath to risk Oleksandr Zinchenko if he has not fully recovered from a muscular problem. Gabriel Jesus, meanwhile, has been left at home to rest.

Changes will be aplenty for the North London club, who should recall the likes of last week’s goalscorers Holding, Vieira and Nketiah to the starting lineup, as well as Albert Sambi Lokonga, Marquinhos and Kieran Tierney.

Arteta’s decision to start Takehiro Tomiyasu at left-back against Liverpool paid dividends, and the Japan international could now line up alongside Holding in the back four, allowing Gabriel Magalhaes a much-needed reprieve.

Bodo/Glimt possible starting lineup:
Haikin; Sampsted, Moe, Lode, Wembangomo; Vetlesen, Berg, Saltnes; Mvuka, Espejord, Pellegrino

Arsenal’s possible starting lineup:

Turner; Cedric, Holding, Tomiyasu, Tierney; Xhaka, Lokonga; Marquinhos, Vieira, Nelson; Nketiah

Manchester United vs. Nicosia prediction

Manchester United and Omonia Nicosia meet again in the UEFA Europa League this Thursday one week on from a 3-2 win for Erik ten Hag’s men in Cyprus

Marcus Rashford scored twice and set up another in that victory and the Red Devils followed it up with a win over Everton at the weekend. Now the two will meet at Old Trafford with United targeting another win to remain in pursuit of Group E leaders Real Sociedad.

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Man United: With a 2-1 win away at Everton, things are looking better for Ten Hag and his players with key home fixtures against Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur to follow this one.

Victory here would keep them marching towards the knockout phase and it will surely be another chance to give Cristiano Ronaldo greater game time after he netted his 700th career goal at Goodison Park. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, and Donny van de Beek are not expected to be fit in time, but Raphael Varane should be ready, and Scott McTominay is suspended against Newcastle so should feature here.

Omonia Nicosia

Losing by a goal at home was probably as tight as Neil Lennon’s side could have hoped for but a 1-0 loss to AEL Limassol means it is now two losses from their last three for the Cypriots.

Brazilian goalkeeper Fabiano was busy last week and picked up an injury over the weekend which could further complicate things. Realistically, Sociedad and Sheriff Tiraspol might be better sources of potential points to sneak into the UEFA Conference League with the Moldovans three points better off already.

Prediction

Pick: United 3-0 Nicosia. I cannot see past a strong home win here and it seems to be the ideal match for Ronaldo to build upon his goal vs. Everton.

I would not put it past the Portuguese to get a goal or two here as the objective for Lennon’s side should realistically be to avoid a heavy defeat. If the Cypriots can get their first points of the UEL campaign, it will be a major bonus.