Can Arsenal avoid defeat against giant-killers Slavia Prague?
Arsenal vs Slavia Praha - 08/04/2021
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Slavia Prague are the giant-killers of the Europa League. They knocked out Leicester City and Rangers in the Europa League last 32 and last 16 respectively. Now, they have their eyes set on knocking out Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s team are in poor form going into the game. They are winless in three straight games in all competitions and conceded seven times in those three fixtures against Olympiacos, West Ham, and Liverpool.
The Gunners reached the quarterfinals of the Europa League thanks to eliminating Benfica in the last 32 and Olympiacos in the final 16. Arsenal reached the final of the Europa League in 2019 only to lose the match to Chelsea, 4-1.
Unai Emery was the manager of Arsenal at the time. The ex-coach will lead Villarreal into the Europa League quarterfinals against Dinamo Zagreb. He could meet his former team, if both sides can progress further in the tournament.
Arteta has a duo of players ruled out of the game through injury. Centre-back David Luiz has a knee injury and will miss the game. Left-back Kieran Tierney is also ruled out through a leg injury.
The manager is hopeful that attacking midfielder Emile Smith Rowe, defensive midfielder Granit Xhaka and winger Bukayo Saka will be fit for the game. The trio are working their ways back to full fitness.
Manager Jindřich Trpišovský has two players on the injury list going into the game on Thursday. Midfielders Ibrahim Traore and David Hovorka are doubts for the game due to injury. Trpišovský will hope one or both of the midfielders can win the fitness race ahead of the game.
Arsenal have been hot and cold at home this term. They have posted a record of 10W-4D-8L while outscoring opponents 33 to 27 in all competitions.
Slavia Prague have played well on the road, but they play in a league that is not at the same level as the Premier League. Don’t tell that to Leicester City, however. The Foxes drew nil-nil in Prague before losing 2-0 to Slavia at the King Power Stadium.
The Czech Republic club have a record of 12W-4D-3L on the road this season. They are a Cinderella story going into the quarterfinals first leg against Arsenal.
Their remarkable run is likely to end on Thursday night against Arsenal, however. The Gunners’ superior talent should make all the difference despite the side’s overall form.
Slavia Prague’s defence should buckle under the pressure of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Arsenal should claim a first leg win with both teams scoring and more than 2.5 goals tallied.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
UEL
453025
1
3 - 1
2.99
7°
1.50
1.50
4.33
7.00
-1
1
1
1 - 1(0 - 0)
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