Arsenal FC
vs
SSC Napoli
Kick-off
19:00 GMT
11 April 2019
Following two days of UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, the Europa League returns on Thursday as the last eight teams battle it out for the trophy. In one of the biggest ties, Arsenal host Napoli in the first leg of their quarter-final.
The two sides have met just twice on the European stage and they both came in the Champions League group stage in the 2013/14 season. Both teams managed a 2-0 win in their respective home fixtures. Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil netted the goals in Arsenal’s win while Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon got the two for Napoli in their victory.
The Gunners must use their first-leg home advantage to set themselves up for what will be a tough second leg in Naples. Rob Holding, Hector Bellerin and Danny Welbeck remain out for the season while Laurent Koscielny and Granit Xhaka are doubts for the clash. Latest matches: Arsenal FC
07.04.2019
Prem
Everton FC
Arsenal FC
1:0
L
01.04.2019
Prem
Arsenal FC
Newcastle United
2:0
W
26.03.2019
Club
Al-Nasr SC Dubai
Arsenal FC
2:3
W
14.03.2019
UEFA
Arsenal FC
Stade Rennes
3:0
W
10.03.2019
Prem
Arsenal FC
Manchester United
2:0
W
The visitors will be desperate to avoid defeat in London whilst making sure they come away with at least an away goal. They will be boosted by the return to fitness of Lorenzo Insigne and Simone Verdi despite Amadou Diawara and Raul Albiol being out injured. Latest matches: SSC Napoli
07.04.2019
Seri
SSC Napoli
Genoa FC
1:1
D
03.04.2019
Seri
FC Empoli
SSC Napoli
2:1
L
31.03.2019
Seri
AS Roma
SSC Napoli
1:4
W
17.03.2019
Seri
SSC Napoli
Udinese Calcio
4:2
W
14.03.2019
UEFA
RB Salzburg
SSC Napoli
3:1
L
It will by no means be an easy game for Arsenal as they host the Italian side but they haven’t yet been beaten at the Emirates in Europe this term. Napoli have also struggled for away form which lends itself to the hosts’ confidence in winning, which I expect them to do. I also think the away side will achieve their goal of an away goal, meaning both teams to score looks very likely.
11 April 2019 - 19:00 GMT
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