Europa League betting preview: Free tips, predictions and best bets for Thursday's game including Arsenal, Chelsea and Sevilla

By Paul Higham

Football

Thu March 14, 2019 · 6y ago

Can Arsenal turn things around against Rennes? Can Kiev restored some pride? Paul Higham has his best bets for Thursday's Europa League action.

Recommended bets

1pt Alexandre Lacazette to score & Arsenal win in 90 minutes at 23/20

1pt Arsenal, RB Salzburg & Sevilla all to win in 90 mins - Price Boosted to 6/1 via this link

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Dynamo Kiev v Chelsea (1755 GMT, BT Sport 3)

Aggregate: 0-3

Pedro and Olivier Giroud celebrate

It should be job done for Chelsea after a comfortable victory at Stamford Bridge last week, but there is still some pride to play for as the home side were hugely disappointing after arriving in west London backed to cause the hosts big problems.

They looked a class below Chelsea for most of the night, but had enough bright spots in the second half to suggest they could really give things a go in the second leg, even if their only achievable target is to win the match in Ukraine.

3-0 is not a water-tight lead though so Maurizio Sarri will select a decent side, but there's also just enough hope in the scoreline to ensure Dynamo give it a good go from the off, and their need should be greater to at least prevail on the night.

Prediction: Dynamo Kiev 1-0 Chelsea (Sky Bet odds: 17/2)

Best bet: Dynamo Kiev to win in 90 minutes at 13/5

Arsenal v Rennes (2000 GMT, BT Sport 2)

Aggregate: 1-3

Sokratis gets sent off for Arsenal at Rennes in the Europa League

Sokratis was sent off for Arsenal at Rennes in the Europa League

It's an uphill battle for Unai Emery's side after their nightmare in France last week and, although they've got a superb home record, Rennes showed they have enough on the break to kill the tie off if the Gunners go too gung-ho from the start.

It's a difficult line to tread for Arsenal with a dangerous opponent and a two-goal deficit, but a 2-0 win would be enough (on away goals) and 90 minutes is more than enough time to get that result if they're patient, but it's that leaky defence that will have Emery and Gunners fans worried.

They were, however, excellent against Manchester United and big games like this are all very new to this Rennes team. After that United win and, with the firepower Arsenal have, there's every chance they could blow Rennes away early, seeing as they're both 5/6 to qualify despite Arsenal trailing 3-1.

While the expectation is that Arsenal should get through, somehow, a Rennes goal changes everything and that's why it's best swerving that market and going for a 90-minute win coupled with a goal for the returning Alexandre Lacazette, who'll be desperate to net after his suspension.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Rennes (Sky Bet odds: 15/2)

Best Bet: Alexandre Lacazette to score & Arsenal win in 90 minutes at 23/20

Krasnodar v Valencia (1755 GMT, BT Sport Extra)

Aggregate: 1-2

The Russians got an away goal in Spain last week but I expect this game to be a thoroughly professional away day from the Spanish side, who played well away from home in the Champions League before seeing off Celtic with ease at Parkhead in the previous round of the Europa League.

Krasnodar beat Sevilla in the group stages but they've not won in eight games and the form Valencia have been in they should have no problems making the next round - and they've got everything needed to pinch an away win as the hosts get desperate late one.

Prediction: Krasnodar 0-1 Valencia (Sky Bet odds: 15/2)

Best Bet: Valencia to win the match at 7/5

Slavia Prague v Sevilla (2000 GMT, BT Sport 3)

Aggregate: 2-2

Sevilla slipped up last week when they twice lost a lead to head to Prague in danger of suffering an upset defeat against a team who are unbeaten at home since August and haven't conceded a goal at home in the Europa League this season.

While all those stats make for impressive reading, Sevilla have been there, done that and got several winners t-shirts from this competition and in Wissam Ben Yedder have the tournament's top scorer, who also banged in a hat-trick in La Liga at the weekend.

Ironically, the 2-2 draw in Seville clears the water for the visitors and they'll be taking the approach that they need to win the game to get through, as the most probably will, and that can spur them on to victory here.

Prediction: Slavia Prague 1-2 Sevilla (Sky bet odds: 8/1)

Best Bet: Sevilla to win in 90 minutes at 11/10