Thursday evening, at 20:00, Arsenal and Valencia meet on the Emirates Stadium in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semifinals. “Tunarii” have scored at least two goals in each of the previous nine matches played on their own ground, and Valencia will need a perfect defensive performance to qualify for a return.
Arsenal surrendered surprise to Crystal Palace (2-3) in the championship, and is now in danger of catching the Top 4 in the Premier League. Prior to this game, Unai Emery’s students managed excellent matches with Napoli (2-0 in UEL), Newcastle (2-0), Rennes (3-0 in UEL), Manchester United (2-0) and Bournemouth (5-1), reaching an impressive series in front of London fans. At the European level, Arsenal has a perfect balance in home matches and the English will be confidently tackling the first match with Valencia. That does not mean that the Spaniards will be a light prey in London.
On the other side, the “bats” come after two consecutive defeats internally, 2-3 with Atletico Madrid and 0-1 with Eibar. The final result is somewhat explicable, because Valencia has prioritized the European course, having a comfortable position in the Primera Division. And Arsenal suffered a failure in the championship, before the white-black duel, score 0-3 in Leicester!
In the last three games of Arsenal we have witnessed an average of 4.0 matches / match, which is what urges us to think of this time in a spectacular duel. Moreover, Valencia has scored high scores lately: 3-1 at Villarreal (UEL final quarterback), 2-1 at Betis and 2-3 on Atletico Madrid (in the championship). “Bats” are evolving into a system of 4-4-2 that could be damaging to the English, who are accustomed to dominating the parties on their own.
Without victory on Arsenal‘s ground, Valencia will try to be dangerous against a defensive defensive, as hosts rely on the “glitter” of Lacazette and Aubameyang scorers who have excellent odds for a thrill on Thursday in the evening. Bellerin, Holding and Suarez will not be able to play Bellerin, Holding and Suarez while Marcelino can not use Cheryshev, Coquelin, Kondogbia and Piccini in London.
PREDICTION: Arsenal to win @ 2,00
