Europa League
2019-02-14 - BATE Borisov vs Arsenal
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: European Europa League Last 32 First Leg
Thursday 14th February 2019 - Kick Off 5:55pm
This game is live on TV
BATE Borisov
Like many clubs out of Belarus it has been a challenge for BATE Borisov to mix it with some of the top European clubs despite being the dominant force back home. They look certain to win yet another domestic League title, but this season will be most remembered for the best run they have had in Europe as they made it through to the Knock Out Rounds of any European competition for the first time.
It was a surprise to see BATE Borisov edge out Vidi and PAOK for a place in the Europa League Last 32 and this is going to be a new experience for the players who might be undercooked for this tie. That's because it is the first time BATE Borisov will have experienced being on a long Winter Break when European competition resumes in February as their own domestic campaign is not due to recommence until March.
BATE Borisov went into their Winter Break having produced 3 wins from 4 matches during an unbeaten run and that included a couple of Europa League wins that saw them finish behind Chelsea in the Group Stage. They have won 4 of their last 6 games here in all competitions, but you can't ignore the fact that BATE Borisov had lost 3 in a row at home in Europe before the 2-0 win over Vidi.
A number of players have been changed in terms of being eligible for European competition. Match fitness is going to be a concern for BATE Borisov, but the cold temperatures will be something they are more accustomed to than their visitors.
Arsenal
An important three points were earned by Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday as they moved a little closer to a top four place and a return to the Champions League. The Europa League is a competition that is close to the heart of Unai Emery and the winner receives a Champions League place so this is a tournament they should take seriously in the months ahead.
Serene progress has been made by Arsenal in the Europa League as much changed teams were able to negotiate the Group Stage with the minimal of fuss as they topped a section containing Sporting, Qarabag and Vorskla. The Gunners have won 7 of their 10 away Europa League games since the beginning of the 2017/18 season and they reached the Semi Final of the competition last season before falling to eventual Winners Atletico Madrid.
Arsenal's win over Huddersfield Town continued their sequence of interchanging wins and losses in their last 7 games in all competitions. The majority of their poorer results have come away from home and the win at the John Smith's Stadium was only the second in their last 8 away games in all competitions.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed the win on Saturday with an illness and is unlikely to be risked in cold conditions. Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey could both return, while Unai Emery may just freshen things up a little despite not being scheduled to play a fixture this weekend.
Head to Head
Arsenal and BATE Borisov met in the Europa League Group Stage just last season and it was Arsenal who won both games convincingly.
The game in Belarus finished 2-4 to Arsenal who had led 0-3 inside twenty-five minutes.
Prediction
This is not quite the time for Unai Emery to hitch his wagon to either the Europa League or trying to finish in the top four of the Premier League, but the manager will be keen to keep both avenues open for a return to the Champions League. His previous successes in the Europa League means the manager knows what needs to be done to progress from these Knock Out ties and Arsenal may also benefit from being out of the FA Cup as that means a free weekend to rest coming up.
With that in mind I would expect a strong Arsenal team to be selected in this First Leg as they look to get into a comfortable position in the tie before the Second Leg back at home next week. The team Unai Emery selected in the Group game in Lisbon against Sporting showed he is willing to play key players in the Europa League to make sure the job is done and I think that could be the case here with that free weekend next up.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may not be risked as he recovers from an illness, but the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Alex Iwobi and Alexandre Lacazette could be taken to Belarus and that would give Arsenal a real edge in this First Leg.
BATE Borisov have made it through to the Knock Out Rounds of a European competition for the first time so have to be excited about the opportunity in front of them. They pushed Chelsea in a 0-1 defeat to them in the Group Stage, but I do think they are dealing with a difficult situation as they play this tie in the middle of their Winter Break and the inexperience of building match fitness to be ready for this time of the year may cost the home team.
They have also suffered 3 losses to PSV Eindhoven, PAOK and Chelsea in Europe already this season and Arsenal have won 7 of 10 away Europa League games over the last eighteen months. One of those was the 2-4 win at BATE Borisov and I think Unai Emery selects a team that can give them a big advantage for the home Leg and thus allow him to rest one or two more key names ahead of the return of the Premier League the following weekend.
I will back Arsenal to cover the Asian Handicap and secure a fourth away win in the Europa League this week.
The Pick :
BATE Borisov 1-3 Arsenal
