Europa League Tips: Can United and Arsenal secure their places in the last 16?

Greg Lea

2 November 2022

The Europa League group stage ends on Thursday, with plenty still up for grabs - Greg Lea previews four big matches from across the continent and offers his Europa League tips.

Feyenoord v Lazio

Kick-off: 5.45pm Thursday

All four teams in Group F can finish top and all four can also be eliminated on matchday six. Lazio will secure a top-two finish if they avoid defeat by Feyenoord, while a loss would not necessarily be fatal depending on the exact result and the outcome of Midtjylland vs Sturm Graz.

Lazio’s Europa League games to date have featured 3.8 goals on average, and it is not in Maurizio Sarri’s nature to sit back and play for a draw. It is win or bust for Feyenoord, so they will look to make a quick start in front of their own fans. Two goals or more in the first half looks like a distinct possibility.

Prediction: Over 1.5 goals first half @ 2.42

Monaco v Red Star Belgrade

Kick-off: 5.45pm Thursday

Ferencvaros have already wrapped up top spot in Group H, leaving a three-way battle for second between Monaco, Trabzonspor and Red Star Belgrade. The Ligue 1 outfit hold a one-point advantage at present and will therefore confirm their place in the knockout round play-offs with a win at the Stade de France.

Monaco will be quietly confident of getting the job done. Not only did they beat Red Star 1-0 in the reverse fixture on matchday one, their upcoming opponents have lost both of their away games in the group. Goals have not been easy to come by for Philippe Clement’s men up to now, but this is a chance for Monaco to turn on the style.

Prediction: Monaco to win and over 2.5 goals @ 2.28

Real Sociedad v Manchester United

Kick-off: 5.45pm Thursday

Real Sociedad are the only team in the Europa League with a 100% record going into the sixth round of fixtures. La Real took control of Group E by winning 1-0 at Old Trafford on matchday one, and four wins from four since then mean they are in pole position to win the group.

Manchester United have managed to stick with the Basques, however, so much so that an away win where United score at least twice would send Erik ten Hag’s men through to the round of 16 instead.

Because they carry more of a threat on the counter-attack, United tend to play better in the bigger games. Real Sociedad are a possession-based team, but that might actually play into the hands of the visitors in this one.

Prediction: Manchester United to win @ 2.18

Arsenal v Zurich

Kick-off: 8pm Thursday

If PSV overcome Bodo/Glimt on Thursday, Arsenal will need to beat Zurich in order to progress to the last 16 rather than the knockout round play-offs. However, even if Mikel Arteta opts to rest one or two of his regular first-teamers, the high-flying Gunners should have more than enough quality to get the job done.

Zurich beat Bodo/Glimt 2-1 last week but they have lost each of their other four matches in the group, including a 5-0 thrashing by PSV in Eindhoven. Another defeat to nil beckons for the Swiss side in North London.

Prediction: Arsenal to win to nil at 1.98