Arsenal vs Qarabag FK: Match preview, predictions, venue, team news, and more | UEFA Europa League 2018-19
This week we spectate the last matchday of the UEFA Europa League 2018-19 group stage, and we have some great matches to enjoy before we enter the knockout stages. Arsenal faces Azerbaijani champions, Qarabag FK, at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday evening.
Arsenal tops Group E with 13 points, and there is no chance for Qarabag to qualify for the knockout stages, since they have garnered only 3 points from 5 group matches. The match is pretty much special for the Arsenal players who are going to play, because we could see a number of changes in the Arsenal starting XI.
Match details
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Capacity: 60,260
Date: 13 December 2018
Time: 20:00 (GMT)
Referee: Jens Maae
Team news
Arsenal
Arsenal is in great form, as they currently maintain an unbeaten run of 21 games in all competitions. Arsenal centre-back, Rob Holding, will miss the match due to an injury.
Mesut Ozil has some fitness doubts, as the attacking midfielder is set to return from a back injury. Star players like Aubameyang, Lucas Torreira, and Hector Bellerin could be rested for this match.
Qarabag FK
There are not as much injury concerns when compared with the Arsenal squad. They are going to face Arsenal at full-strength.
Emeghara is set to miss the match, as he the only injured player. There is nothing to lose for Qarabag, and we could see a close contest if Arsenal launches an unusual line-up.
Predicted line-up
Arsenal: Cech; Lichtsteiner, Jenkinson, Sokratis, Maitland-Niles; Guendouzi, Gilmour; Smith-Rowe, Willock, Iwobi; Nketiah
Qarabag: Halldorsson; Medvedev, Rzezniczak, Sadygov, Guerrier; Qarayev, Michel, Slavchev, Zoubir, Madatov; Abdullayev
Last 5 matches in all competitions
Arsenal: W-W-W-D-W
Qarabag: W-D-L-W-W
Did you know?
Arsenal has used more players (26) than the other teams in the UEFA Europa League 2018-19 season.
Prediction
Qarabag will try their best to beat Arsenal. This may be possible if Unai Emery fields some unusual faces. This is going to be an absolute cracker.
Arsenal 1-2 Qarabag