Europe’s second big club competition – the UEFA Europa League kicks off tomorrow with a host of several big European clubs in hunt for the European glory. English giants Arsenal and Chelsea, three times back to back winners Sevilla and last season finalist Olympique Marseille are some of the contenders who will be eyeing the big prize at Baku Olympic Stadium on 29th May 2019.
Here is our preview of some matches across the 12 groups.
Group B;
RB LEIPZIG v RED BULL SALZBURG – THUR. 20 SEPT 2018, 20.00HRS
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This Red Bull derby between Leipzig and Salzburg will see the Austrian champions travel to neighboring Germany to take on Leipzig on match day 1. Leipzig made it to the group stage thanks to their play-off victory Zorya but will want to give their all against Salzburg at the Red Bull Arena. Both teams won their domestic games over the weekend and should be in high spirit for this game. With Leipzig’s attackers on form, coach Marco Rose should be worried about his team’s defensive frailties with cost them their place in Champions League play-offs.
VERDICT – This is the first meeting between these two sides in any European competition. Both teams got to the latter stages of this competition last season; RB Leipzig reached the quarter-finals while Salzburg made it the semis. Both teams have formidable attacks so we can expect an open game with goals. Our prediction is over 2.5 goals
CELTIC v ROSENBORG – THUR. 20 SEPT 2018, 20.00HRS
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Two old rivals square off at Celtic Park in this opening match of the group stage. The home team won the league and cup double last season but failed to qualify for the Champions League proper and have to settle for the Europa League. Celtic Park has become a real fortress since Brendan Rodgers took over the Glasgow club but the Norwegian champions have the self-belief they can a real upset in Scotland against a Celtic side low in confidence at the moment.
VERDICT – In eight games against Rosenborg, Celtic have 5W 2D 1L. In spite of this good record, the home team are not at their current best, winning four of their last nine games compared to Rosenborg who are on seven-match winning run. Given both teams current form, we are backing the visitors not to lose at Celtic Park.
Group E;
ARSENAL v VORSKLA – THUR. 20 SEPT 2018, 20.00HRS
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With Unai Emery in charge of the Gunners, Arsenal would targeting the final of the competition having fallen short in the semis last season. Emery led Sevilla to three Europa League success before moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 2016. The Spanish coach will hope to wave his successful magic wand on this competition in favor of the Gunners who kick off their campaign against Vorskla at home. This is the second time the Ukrainian team would be appearing at this stage of the competition. The memories of the first experience was not pleasant as they failed to pick up a single victory before crashing out.
VERDICT – Both teams will be meeting for the first time ever on Thursday at the Emirates stadium. Arsenal have been able to turn around their poor start to their domestic campaign winning their last three league matches but have not managed a clean sheet yet. Vorskla are the underdogs for the game but head into this match winning their last three matches in a row. The gulf in class between both teams is wide enough so we expect Arsenal to win at home comfortably. Over 3.5goals
Group G;
VILLARREAL v RANGERS – THUR. 20 SEPT 2018, 17.55HRS
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Villarreal kick of their European campaign against Steven Gerard’s Rangers at Estadio de la Ceramica. The Yellow Submarines are seasoned European campaigners in past few years and should be well prepared for the arrival of the Scottish giants. Rangers have started the season well under new coach Gerard with fine displays and we can expect a composed performances from the Gers in Spain. Villarreal have had a slow start to the season with Javier Calleja’s men struggling to find the back of the net.
VERDICT – This is the third meeting between these two teams with the first two meetings (Round of 16 tie in UCL) ending in draws. Rangers will fancy their chances at de la Ceramica against a host yet to find their stride this season. We expect a cagey affair which would translate to a low scoring game. Our prediction is under 2.5goals.
Group H;
OLYMPIQUE MARSEILLE v EINTRACHT FRANKFURT – THUR. 20 SEPT 2018, 17.55HRS
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Les Phoceens will aim to go one step better than last season when they lost to Atletico Madrid in the final. Rudi Garcia has kept the core of his team together and strengthen in key areas as he sets his the title once again. Eintracht Frankfurt are in this competition thanks to their successful DFB Pokal success last season. Under new coach Adi Hutter, the Germans have had an inconsistent start to the season in the Bundesliga but will need to be at their best at the Orange Velodrome when they face Marseille who are very ruthless when playing in front of their home fans.
VERDICT – These two teams have not met in UEFA competition before so it’s their first meeting. Marseille are enjoying a fine start to the season with Rudi Garcia’s attacking arsenal firing. Frankfurt defense are in for a real test against last season’s finalist. Whenever Marseille play, goals are guaranteed. Our prediction is a home win and over 2.5 goals.
Group J;
SEVILLA v STANDARD LIEGE – THUR. 20 SEPT 2018, 17.55HRS
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Sevilla are back in their favorite competition after last season exploit in the Champions League where they reached the last eight. Pablo Machin is still looking for the right formula for his Sevilla team and will hope Thursday night in their favorite competition is the day they get it right. Their visitors Standard Liege won the Belgian Cup and finished runners up in Belgian First Division A last season. Les Rouges have not started the new season as expected and are currently without a win in their last two league games which heaps more pressure on Michel Preud’homme and his team as they travel to Andalusia to face Sevilla.
VERDICT – These two clubs met in this group stage of this competition in 2014/15 season with Sevilla winning one and securing a draw in the other. Standard Liege are poor travelers, having failed to score in three of their last four matches away from. This should give the home team some relief in this group opener. With both teams not at their best, this could be a low scoring affair but the home team should win. Our prediction is a home win/under 2.5 goals.
Group L;
PAOK THESSALONIKI v CHELSEA – THUR. 20 SEPT 2018, 17.55HRS
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Chelsea missed out on Champions League football and have to settle with playing in Europe’s second tier competition. The Blues got rid of former coach Antonio Conte and employed Maurizio Sarri who has the West London club firing in the Premier League with a perfect start. PAOK are in the Europa League having failed to beat Benfica in the Champions League play-off but they would hope to kick start their Europa League campaign on a positive note against one of the competition’s favorite. Maurizio Sarri is likely to rotate his team for this competition to get several first team members a run in the team. Coach Razvan Lucescu sets his team up nicely at home and they are difficult to beat on their own patch even though they lost heavily to Benfica in the Champions League play-off.
VERDICT – This is the first meeting between these two in UEFA competition. Chelsea are one of the favorites for the competition and will aim to go all the way regardless of the players Sarri selects for each game. The Benfica defeat is PAOK only defeat in nine competitive games this season. Apart from the Community Shield loss to Manchester City, Chelsea have a perfect record in the Premier League. We believe the English team’s quality is superior to their host and they can earn a deserved victory in Greece.
This wraps us our Match day 1 Focus. The UEFA Europa League preview returns in a fortnight. Predict and win big in UEFA second club’s competition by visiting our Sports shop Babaijebu.ng for mouthwatering offers for all UEL matches.