Ace Football previews the Europa League game between Arsenal and Molde FK and offers betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
Arsenal welcome Molde to London in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday. The two teams have both won their first two matches in the group stage.
The first and second position holders in group B take on each other and whoever wins this game will only be one step shy of a guaranteed knock-out spot.
Given the venue, Arsenal are favorites to win on paper but Molde are well equipped to deliver an upset. The Norwegian side are in splendid form at the moment.
The Gunners come off the back of a win over Manchester United and will be buzzing for yet another win. In a similar fashion, Molde are also in good spirits after a 3-1 win over Mjondalen IF at the weekend. It could be a close contest but the Premier League side should be superior over their Norwegian opponents regardless.
Arsenal Form and Stats
Arsenal come into this game off a strong run of form that has seen them win three of their last four matches.
The first of those wins came against Rapid Wien in the Europa League. That was followed up by a 1-0 loss to Leicester City in the Premier League.
They were then able to get back to winning ways in Europe against Dundalk, winning 3-0 at home. Manager Mikel Arteta will have been delighted with his team’s performance at the weekend as they dominated Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s penalty sealed a much-deserved 1-0 win over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team in a game that ought to have seen them win by more.
Key Team Stats
- Arsenal have won 3 of their last 4 matches (all competitions).
- Arsenal have won 11 of their last 16 matches (Europa League).
- Arsenal have won 9 of their last 12 home matches (all competitions).
Molde FK Form and Stats
Molde come into Thursday’s trip to Arsenal in fantastic form and will fancy their chances of an upset.
The Norweigan outfit have won their last six matches in all competitions, including each of their first two in the Europa League group stage.
Their two wins in this competition came against Dundalk and Rapid Wien, winning 2-1 and 1-0 respectively. In the Eliteserien they were 3-1 winners against Mjondalen at the weekend.
Molde scored three times in the last 15 minutes of the contest thanks to goals from Martin Ellingsen (2) and Leke James.
Key Team Stats
- Molde have lost 2 of their last 3 away matches (Europa League).
- Molde have scored in 5 of their last 6 away matches (Europa League).
- Molde have lost 5 of their last 11 away matches (all competitions).
Team News
Arsenal: David Luiz, Pablo Mari, Calum Chambers and Gabriel Martinelli (injured)
Molde: Kristoffer Haraldseid (injured)
Predicted Line-up
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Head-To-Head Analysis
Thursday’s match will be the first time that Arsenal and Molde have met in an official fixture.
Match Facts
Betting Tips
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