Arsenal and Chelsea are on course for an all-London/Premier League match-up in the Europa League final as the semi-final second-legs take place on Thursday.
Arsenal hold a 3-1 lead as they head to Spain to take on Valencia and despite their two-goal lead, coach Unai Emery believes their chance of progression is just 50%.
“It’s going to be a game between two teams with a huge history and two great managers, we won the first leg, but we know it’s going to be a different game,” said Emery.
“They have a lot of quality and our target will be to stop them and try to score We know they can win, it’s going to be a different game, I still have the same idea in mind: we still have 50% chance of qualifying.”
Chelsea host Germans Eintracht Frankfurt with the tie poised at 1-1, but Maurizio Sarri firmly has his sights set on winning the tournament.
“We want to reach the Europa League final and win it because we deserve a trophy this season,” said the Italian.
“It’s not easy because we have to play a dangerous team as we saw in the first leg. They’re dynamic and aggressive and when they can find spaces, it’s a dangerous match.
“In a semi-final you have to play against a strong team with very strong players. It’s difficult to be the favourite in a semi-final.”
We run through every game including predictions from former England, Crystal Palace and Tottenham midfielder Andy Gray, our own Football Insider Graeme Bailey and BoyleSports’ Lawrence Lyons.
Chelsea 20:00 Eintracht Frankfurt (Agg 1-1)
Stamford Bridge
TEAM NEWS: Eintracht welcome back suspended forward Ante Rebic but Taleb Tawatha and Marc Standera are sidelined.
Chelsea come into the game with N’Golo Kante, Antonio Rudiger, Ethan Ampadu and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
KEY FACT: Frankfurt have lost all three two-legged ties v English sides
MATCH ODDS: Chelsea 4/11 Draw 4/1 Eintracht 7/1
BoyleSports pick: Draw Half Time/Chelsea Full Time @3/1
ANDY SAYS: This will be a close game, but I think that Chelsea will just about edge home…2-1
GRAEME SAYS: Chelsea need this win and they should come out on top…2-0
Football Index – One to follow: Luka Jovic – One of the best young players in world football, this boy should be followed
Valencia 20:00 Arsenal (Agg 1-3)
Mestalla Stadium
TEAM NEWS: Arsenal are without Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding, Aaron Ramsey, Denis Suarez and Danny Welbeck.
Valencia welcome back former Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin from suspension, but Denis Cheryshev and Geoffrey Kondogbia are injured.
KEY FACT: Valencia have never lost a European tie to Arsenal
MATCH ODDS: Valencia 20/23 Draw 14/5 Arsenal 14/5
BoyleSports pick: Lacazette to score anytime @2/1
ANDY SAYS: I think that Valencia could edge it on the night but with Arsenal still progressing…2-1
GRAEME SAYS: Arsenal are playing well in Europe and should have enough to make it…1-1
Football Index – One to follow: Alex Iwobi – Has been great this season and really is one to watch
