Arsenal will resume their Europa League campaign as they face Benfica in a late kick-off. The odds definitely predict Arsenal to go through, yes, it does confuse me sometimes which is why I use Each Way Bet Calculator to assume my stake.
The much-anticipated tie will take place in the city of Rome regarding to unprecedented health crises and stages different countries do face.
The Gunners, in Benfica, have a sturdy task ahead of them in the Round of 32 of the Europa League. Jorge Jesus’ team have a well-established pedigree as they were capitulated by Arsenal city-rivals Chelsea in 2013 in the tournament’s finale.
Mikel Arteta’s side are eight points of Champions League spot in the Premier League with six teams ahead of them and it will take alot if the Gunners are to qualify for the top four through the traditional route. Europa League brings up another opportunity for Aubameyang & Co. to feature in Europe’s most elite league.
In Benfica, Arsenal will face their toughest Round of 32 challenge in the Europa League to date as they will be rubbing shoulders against the likes of Nicolas Otamendi, Jan Vertonghen, Everton Soares, Rafa Silva and Alex Grimaldo.
WHEN & WHERE?
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome.
Date: 18th February 2021.
Time: 20:00 PM (GMT)
TEAM NEWS
Mikel Arteta, in his pre-match press, confirmed that Thomas Partey has not boarded the plane to Rome. Another injury concern, Kirean Tierney, has travelled with the squad after serving sidelines for about a month – although today should come too soon for the Scot to start.
For Jorge Jesus’ side, Andre Almeida will continue to serve the treatment table with his long-term knee ligament injury which he suffered back in October during Benfica’s win against Rio Ave. Benfica will also be without Gilberto, who is down with a muscular injury from earlier this month.
PREDICTED XI
Benfica: Odysseas Vlachodimos; Diogo Goncalves, Nicolas Otamendi, Jan Vertonghen, Alex Grimaldo; Rafa Silva, Adel Taarabt, Julian Weigl, Everton; Darwin Nunez, Haris Seferovic.
Arsenal: Bernd Leno; Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding, Pablo Mari, Cedric Soares; Granit Xhaka, Dani Ceballos; Reiss Nelson, Willian, Nicolas Pepe; Alex Lacazette
(Bernd Leno was Mikel Arteta’s choice in Premiership as well as Europe last season, although it won’t be surprising if Mat Ryan starts ahead of the German in goal. The cup games are probably the only place Ryan can start – though the stakes are high which is why Mikel could stick with his premier choice goalie.)
