Valencia vs Arsenal
Uefa Europa League 2018-19 | Semi-final, second leg
Venue: Mestalla Stadium
Date: Thursday, May 9, 2019
Kick-off time: 8:00pm BST
Arsenal take a 3-1 lead to Spain as they look to book their place in the Europa League final against Valencia on Thursday.
A brace from Alexandre Lacazette and another from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saw the Gunners come from behind to win at the Emirates last week.
That victory was followed by a draw against Brighton on Sunday – a result which means Arsenal must now realistically win the Europa League to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Valencia meanwhile warmed up for Thursday’s second leg by scoring six away to Huesca on Sunday.
Arsenal team news and predicted line-up
Aaron Ramsey has already played his last game for the club with a hamstring tear suffered in the second leg win over Napoli ruling him out for the rest of the season.
Denis Suarez will also have no part to play with a groin injury ending his underwhelming loan stint at the club.
Rob Holding, Hector Bellerin and Danny Welbeck remain sidelined.
Arsenal XI: Cech, Mustafi, Sokratis, Koscielny, Maitland-Niles, Torreira, Xhaka, Iwobi, Lacazette, Aubameyang
Valencia XI: Neto, Piccini, Garay, Gabriel, Gaya, Soler, Parejo, Wass, Guedes, Gameiro, Rodrigo
Score prediction: Valencia 2-1 Arsenal
Arsenal have one foot in the final – and while they have been poor travellers, a two-goal cushion should be enough to see them through.
Valencia vs Arsenal tickets
For ticket information click here to head to Valencia's website.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- Valencia to win: 20/23
- Arsenal to win: 3/1
- Draw: 29/10
First goalscorer
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 5/1
- Daniel Parejo: 11/2
- Alexandre Lacazette: 11/2
- Rodrigo Moreno: 6/1
Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet.
TV channel and live stream, and online coverage
The match will be televised live on BT Sport 2, with coverage starting at 7:15pm. BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match online via the video player and the BT Sport app.
You can also follow all the action with Standard Sport's LIVE match blog.
Head to Head history and results (h2h)
Prior to last week's first legs, these two sides had met five times competitively in the past, with Valencia boasting two wins - including the 1980 Uefa Cup Winners' Cup - to Arsenal's one, with two draws.
The Gunners were knocked out of the Champions League quarter-finals on away goals in 2001 before being bested by Valencia again in 2003 - John Carew scoring on both occasions.
