Arsenal vs Rapid Wien Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League

Prediction published on 30/11/2020, 23:23  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 30/11/2020 at 23:25 in Europa League Predictions

Arsenal will be turning attention to the Europa League this Thursday when they host Austrian side rapid Wien, and hoping to recover from their weekend loss to Wolves in the Premier League. The Gunners head to this game having already sealed passage to the next round. They have garnered 12 points from four straight wins in Group B while Rapid have six points and are placed third. Arsenal need a point from their remaining two matches to secure top spot, as the second and third placed sides in this group face off on Match Day 6. So far, it is proving to be a tough season for Arsenal in the Premier League, but have done well in the cup games and for the fourth straight season they have reached the second round. Twice in the last three seasons, they got to the semi finals, and with their league campaign proving shambolic so far, they will put a little more effort here. The Gunners go here with two wins in their last five matches, these having come in the back to back matches against Molde in the Europa League. They have scored more goals in four Europa League games (12) than they have in 10 league matches (10) and it is clear to see they have been more comfortable in Europe. The London side however looks shaky in each of its games, and to most opponents, the team has lost the fear factor. Out of the 12 goals scored in Group B, nine have come in the second half, after very shaky opening halves. Arsenal have two clean sheets in their last five matches and four of the five matches have yielded over 2.5 goals. At home, they have lost three of the last five matches and have one clean sheet in the five. In Europa League though, they have five wins in their last six matches and eight of their last 10 Europa League games have produced over 2.5 goals. Only three of their last 10 Europa League games have produced clean sheets while they have scored two or more goals in their four Europa League games this season. Nicolas Pepe has been key for the Gunners in the Europa League, scoring in each of the last three matches in the competition.

Rapid Wien, on the other hand, head to this game after a draw with Austria Wien and after their 2-1 home loss to Arsenal, they will be keen on avenging. Rapid need a win here more than Arsenal and with Molde above them ahead of the game against Dundalk, the Austrians know a win in London will be crucial. The main concern for Rapid will be a porous defence, which has managed no clean sheet in the last 10 games, and just one in 15 matches. Out of their last 15 matches, 12 have produced over 2.5 goals and having conceded 10 goals in their last five matches is a key contributor. In their last 10 matches though, Rapid have lost just three. Away from home, Rapid have also conceded 10 goals in five matches, but with two straight wins in the Europa League, they will hope to extend the same here. A key improvement they will need when going to London for this game would be in defence, having conceded in each of their last six Europa League games, with four losses coming therein. They have also lost eight of their last 11 away matches in the Europa League, winning two, and have conceded two goals or more in six of their last 10 away matches in this competition.