Europa League Tips: Will Ronaldo get goal number 701 on Thursday?

Arsenal and Manchester United are among the teams in action on Thursday’s Europa League slate. Read on for our football expert Greg Lea’s Europa League predictions. 

Bodo/Glimt v Arsenal

Kick-off: 5.45pm Thursday

Arsenal’s superb start to the season continued on Sunday, as Mikel Arteta’s men put Liverpool to the sword at the Emirates Stadium. The Premier League leaders also occupy first place in their Europa League group, despite having had one of their matches postponed.

Arsenal beat Bodo/Glimt 3-0 last week, and while a trip to Norway is theoretically a tougher assignment than a home game against Kjetil Knutsen’s side, the Gunners should once again prove too strong for their opponents.

Prediction: Arsenal -1.5 Asian handicap @ 2.12

Real Betis v Roma

Kick-off: 5.45pm Thursday

Real Betis took full control of Group C last week, beating Roma 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico. It was a hugely impressive result for Manuel Pellegrini’s men, particularly as the Italian side took the lead through Paulo Dybala.

Betis have a five-point lead at the top of Group C, so a draw would be a good result for the home team. But Pellegrini is an attack-minded manager who will want to see his side go for the win, while Jose Mourinho’s side sit third and need three points. This should be an entertaining encounter.

Prediction: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals @ 2.16

Manchester United v Omonia Nicosia

Kick-off: 8pm Thursday

Manchester United made heavy work of their first meeting with Omonia Nicosia. Erik ten Hag’s side ran out 3-2 winners in Cyprus, but were given a late scare after conceding a second goal with five minutes left on the clock. United fans will expect a more comfortable evening this time around.

They will probably get one too. Omonia have lost all three of their Europa League games to date and will struggle to contain a forward line that is likely to be spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored his 700th club goal against Everton on Sunday. United may even have the three points in the bag at the interval.

Prediction: Over 1.5 goals in the first half @ 1.97

Trabzonspor v Monaco

Kick-off: 8pm Thursday

Monaco dispatched Trabzonspor 3-1 at the Stade Louis II on matchday three, moving them onto six points in Group H. Their Turkish opponents have now lost both of their away games in the Europa League, so their hopes of advancing heavily depend on their home form.

Monaco will no doubt experience a fierce atmosphere in Trabzon on Thursday, but their superior quality should nevertheless be the decisive factor. Philippe Clement’s charges have won five games on the bounce in Ligue 1 and will be full of confidence for this one.

Prediction: Monaco to win @ 2.12

Union Berlin v Malmö

Kick-off: 8pm Thursday

Union Berlin are the unlikely Bundesliga leaders after nine rounds of fixtures, with the capital club picking up their sixth win of the season against Stuttgart last time out. They have not fared quite as well in the Europa League, however: at the midway point of the group phase, Union sit third having lost two of their first three matches.

They finally got off the mark last week, beating Malmö 1-0 in Sweden. I anticipate a more comfortable victory back in Berlin, with goals either side of half-time a distinct possibility.

Prediction: Union Berlin to score in both halves @ 2

Europa League predictions

Bodo/Glimt v Arsenal: Arsenal -1.5 Asian handicap @ 2.12
Real Betis v Roma: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals @ 2.16
Man Utd v Omonia: Over 1.5 goals in the first half @ 1.97
Trabzonspor v Monaco: Monaco to win @ 2.12
Union Berlin v Malmö: Union Berlin to score in both halves @ 2