Europa League Final 2019 Betting, Preview and Tips

Adrian Clarke

May 27th, 2019

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Quick Tips:

• Europa League Final: Arsenal to lift the trophy - 6/5 with 888Sport
• Europa League Final: Over 2.5 Goals - EVS with Ladbrokes
• Europa League Final: 2-2 draw after 90 minutes - 14/1 with Bet365

There won’t be too many Londoners there to cheer them on in the flesh, but the pressure is packed on both managers to deliver victory in this season’s Europa League Final.

With three wins in four attempts, Unai Emery practically owns the Europa League. It’s his baby. Yet the Spaniard will never have felt such a burden of responsibility to get his hands on the trophy, as he will in Baku.

So much of his Arsenal rebuild - and more pertinently the ambition they can show as a club in the short-term - is dependent on Champions League football. The Gunners need the kudos, and they need the cash.

Beating Chelsea would top up a modest transfer kitty, make renegotiations with star men Aubameyang and Lacazette infinitely easier, and provide a winning boost for that all-important global brand.

Will Arsenal Meet Their Objectives on Azerbaijani Soil?

According to football betting sites Arsenal will start as underdogs, and are currently priced at 9/4 with Betfair. The strain on Maurizio Sarri is a much more personal one. Given how much bile has been hurled in his direction by fans, and the unlikelihood he’ll see out his contract, the chain-smoking Italian is probably less bothered about Chelsea’s future than Emery is.

No, for him, this is a chance to be top dog. Something that’s always eluded him. Sarri has still won nothing but runners-up medals and that must be eating away. Whenever he walks away from Stamford Bridge the 60-year-old needs to do so as a winning boss.

Reassuringly for him, Chelsea are favourites to make it happen. The best odds available on a Blues win in 90 minutes are with 13/10 with 888Sport.

Expect Chances Aplenty

The two Premier League meetings between Arsenal and Chelsea served up an incredible 65 shots in total, so don’t bank on this being a cagey affair. Chelsea will likely boss possession, Arsenal will look to strike hard and fast on the break, and between them they should have enough firepower to keep both goalkeepers nice and busy.

The Gunners did keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 win at home to the Blues, but it’s hard to envisage Petr Cech producing a shutout in this his last-ever professional appearance. Away from Emirates Stadium in the Europa League knockout stages the Gunners have leaked six goals in four matches, with opponents also missing a flood of other opportunities too. Solid, they are not.

So, Chelsea to score 2 or more goals with Ladbrokes at 13/10 will appeal to many punters. On the flip side, Arsenal have managed to score twice against Chelsea in each of the last three meetings. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang & Alexandre Lacazette were outstanding against Napoli and Valencia, playing with the kind of tenacity and talent that belongs in the Champions League – and together they will frighten the living daylights out of the Blues’ back four.

Over 1.5 Arsenal goals is a tempting punt at 15/8 with BetVictor, and I do like the look of big game specialist Alexandre Lacazette to score either the first or last goal. That’s a 47/20 shot.

Sticking with the goalscorer’s market, what are the chances of Olivier Giroud to come back and haunt his old pals? Those of a romantic persuasion may be attracted by a price of 11/5 with Coral for the Frenchman to score anytime. He does like a cup final goal.

Maurizio Sarri vs Unai Emery

Chelsea’s best XI is a shade stronger than Arsenal’s, hence the favourites tag, but who fancies Maurizio Sarri to outfox Unai Emery? For two reasons, a) he’s a winner over course and distance, and b) he’s far less predictable, I’d have to side with the Spaniard as the man more likely to nail his game plan.

If Sarri Ball clicks it could, of course, destroy their porous London rivals, but with no deviation to his approach the Italian can be easy to plan against and nullify. Arsenal are still searching for an identity under their new gaffer, which isn’t ideal, but in a one-off contest, it feels like he holds the edge.

Europa League Final Prediction

It will take forever and a day to get from London to Baku, and once there I don’t see the match finishing in double quick time either. It should have a nice ebb and flow, but there won’t be much in it.

Personally, I like the look of an open 2-2 draw after 90 minutes - 14/1 with Bet365 - with star players Eden Hazard, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette all showcasing their qualities. If you prefer to be less specific I’d recommend over 2.5 Goals at Evens with Ladbrokes.

Who’ll Lift the Europa League Trophy?

With the carrot of Champions League football carrying a little more weight for Arsenal, and competition specialist Unai Emery eager to be reunited with ‘his baby’, I just sense the Gunners may edge it in extra time.

Arsenal to lift the trophy priced at 6/5 888Sport is a pick I’m happy to make with both my heart and my head. This is their most important match in years. Losing is not an option.