Ostersunds FK vs Arsenal Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League

Prediction published on 14/02/2018, 15:23  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 16/02/2018 at 03:16 in Europa League Prediction

With Arsenal eight points points adrift of the top four in the Premier League, winning the Europa League is becoming even more important for the Gunners. That route is looking more and more likely their best chance of playing in the Champions League next season, but they will face far more tougher games than this one in Sweden. It will be interesting to see how strong a side Arsene Wenger puts out for this game and he dare not go down the route that saw his side lose to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup last month. Danny Welbeck is likely to start up front with Lacazette injured, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cup-tied and Olivier Giroud sold to Chelsea. Arsenal played a virtual reserve side in the group stages but still finished four points clear with four wins, a draw and a defeat away at Koln. Their current form is shaky on the road with four losses in the last five games. Ostersunds had to play three qualifying rounds to reach the group stages where they finished second behind Athletic Bilbao. It was a comfortable qualification ahead of Zorya Luhansk and Hertha Berlin and they won two of their three home group games, drawing the other with Bilbao.  Since they ended their group campaign with a loss at Hertha Berlin, the Swedes have only played two friendlies and a Swedish Cup tie. They have made great strides in recent years but the lack of first-team action and experience will count against them, so go for an Arsenal win in this game.