Europa League – Arsenal v PSV and Tournament Standings
There is only one Europa League game this week, the game between Arsenal and PSV which was postponed due to the Queen’s funeral. With the groups past the halfway stage, we also assess who will likely progress to the knockout rounds and which games are worth following next week.
Europa League – Arsenal v PSV Eindhoven
| UEFA Europa League – Group A 2022/23 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Name | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
| Arsenal | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 9 |
| PSV Eindhoven | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Bodo/Glimt | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 4 |
| FC Zurich | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 14 | -11 | 0 |
There is just one game to be played in the Europa League this week, the top-of-the-table clash in Group A between the current leader’s Arsenal and second-placed PSV Eindhoven. The game was postponed after the death of Queen Elizabeth II due to the extra policing needed for the funeral in London.
Even though only three games have been played, Arsenal could take a giant stride to the knockout round with a win on Thursday, as they would then have a five-point gap over PSV, who they play again a week later on Thursday (27th October).
Arsenal has won all three games they have played in this year’s Europa League (1-2 v Zurich, 3-0 and 0-1 v Bode/Glimt). PSV are also unbeaten; they won both games against Zurich (1-5 and 5-0) but drew their first game (1-1) against Bodoe/Glint.
Not surprisingly, Arsenal are the favourites at 1/2, with 888sport. The draw is priced at 10/3, and an away win for PSV is available at 5/1.
Arsenal is flying in the Premier League. A 1-0 win against Leeds United and Liverpool’s win 1-0 win against Manchester City means they are now four points clear at the top. PSV are second in the Dutch top flight. A decent 6-1 win over Utrecht puts them second in the Eredivisie, a point behind the leaders.
Players to watch: – Arsenal are averaging 2.4 goals in the Premier League and two goals per game in the Europa League. However, in Europe, they don’t have a player who has scored more than one, with Rob Holding, Bukayo Saka and Marquinhos all on one goal. It’s a surprise that Gabriel Jesus hasn’t been on the scoresheet yet, but he’s only played 43 minutes of the Europa League in two substitute appearances. Football betting fans can get 10/11 for him to score anytime and 4/1 to score two, and 16/1 to score a hat trick.
One player who could hurt Arsenal is 23-year-old Cody Gakpo, who is in incredible form for the Dutch side. In ten appearances in Eredivisie, the youngster has had 16 goal involvements (nine goals and seven assists). He also has three goals in three Europa League games. In such good form, the odds of him scoring anytime are 11/4, which seems good value. He is 20/1 to score two and 100/1 to score three.
Who is Likely to Qualify from the Group Stages?
Group B is a straight dogfight between Fenerbahçe and Rennes, who are both undefeated and on ten points. AEK Larnaca has won once and is on three points, but Dynamo Kylv has lost all four games.
Group C is a bit surprising as Jose Mourinho’s Roma is struggling, and with a win, a draw, and two losses, they are three points behind Bulgaria’s Ludogorets and six points behind the leaders, Real Betis. Their only win was against HJK Helsinki, who they play against again next week. Their last game is v Ludogorets, which will be a must-win game.
Group D is a tight affair. Union Saint-Gilloise leads the pack with ten points, and they are unbeaten with three wins and a draw. There is little between Sporting Braga on seven points and Union Berlin on Six points. The two face each other next week. Malmo are the group’s whipping boy with four losses.
Group E is interesting, with Real Sociedad and Manchester United vying for the top spot. The Spanish team is in pole position with four wins out of four, including a 1-0 win at Old Trafford on match day 1. Real Sociedad plays Omonia Nicosla next (the bottom-placed club) before a decider against Manchester United at home. The loser of that game is likely to face a play-off against a Champions League team which drops into the Europa League.
Group F is unique as all four teams (Feyenoord, FC Midtjylland, Lazio and Strum Graz) have five points with the same results (a loss, a win and two draws). It goes without saying that any team can top that group. However, you would fancy Lazio as they recently sat top of Serie A before AC Milan overtook them with a late win against Lazio. Sandro Tonali scored in the 93rd minute to earn a 2-1 win.
Freiburg has control in Group G, having won four out of four. Qarabag is second with seven, and Nantes sit third with three, above Olympiakos who have a point. Qarabag plays Nantes next before a home tie against the group leaders.
Group H is another tight group, with all teams winning at least one game. Ferencvaros are in front with nine points, and Trabzonspor and Monaco are tied on six points. Group H and Group E are the only groups yet to witness a draw in a game. Red Star Belgrade are the bottom club with three points.
Arsenal v PSV is on Thursday night. Coverage will be on BT Sport in the UK.
