UEFA Europa League: Arsenal vs Crvena zvezda preview

Arsenal can guarantee their qualification from UEFA Europa League Group H if they beat Serbian side Crvena zvezda on Thursday at the Emirates Stadium. It might not be easy though as the Gunners had plenty of work to do in the reverse fixture, they won it 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Olivier Giroud. That was the first meeting between the two sides, but Crvena zvezda have a bright past in European competitions and have beaten English teams six times in 17 encounters. Arsenal have lost just one of their last twelve matches in all competitions, but they have already lost three of their ten Premier League matches this season and are nine points behind leaders Manchester City. The Europa League has been much easier since now, they have won three out of three despite fielding players that are more accustomed to the reserves bench. Manager Arsene Wenger will probably field the same eleven that beat Crvena zvezda in Belgrade, with the exception of Petr Cech who might be replaced by David Ospina after the Colombian goalie recovered from an injury. Crvena zvezda have fought hard so far in the Europa League group stage, they have lost only against Arsenal and managed to beat FC Koln 1-0 in Germany after having started with a 1-1 home draw against BATE. They are tied with the side from Belarus on four points and they will probably fight for the second place until the last match of the group stage. They are currently at the top of the Serbian top-flight standings after winning their last four matches. Milan Rodic is suspended for this match, while Ricardo Cavalcante and Branko Jovicic are injured. Probable line-ups: Arsenal: Ospina - Debuchy, Neny, Holding - Nelson, Coquelin, Willock, Maitland-Niles - Walcott, Wilshere - Giroud Crvena zvezda: Borjan - Stojkovic, Savic, Tallec, Gobeljic - Srnic, Kanga, Donald, Krsticic, Radonjic - Boakye My prediction: Arsenal to win 2-1. Here are the odds for the match at Bet365: Arsenal win - 1.33 Draw - 5.00 Crvena zvezda win - 9.00