How will Everton and Arsenal’s divergent Europa League campaigns fare this Thursday evening?

The Toffees are first up, travelling to Lyon at 6pm on BT Sport 2, and by the sound of it they’ve given up on the competition. Wayne Rooney, Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka and Michael Keane (the only one of the 4 who is injured) have all remained at home, with caretaker manager David Unsworth taking a pretty depleted squad to France.



It appears, somewhat understandably, that Unsworth (or those higher up) are prioritising Everton’s domestic woes over a Europa League group the club stands very little chance of escaping. In the league they’re stuck in the relegation zone. on 8 points in 18th place; a dire situation, but one that is remediable given the proximity of Swansea, West Ham and West Brom above them. In Europe, however, they’ve picked up one point from 3 games, and will exit the competition if they lose to Lyon and Atalanta get a least a point against Apollon Limassol.

Their French opponents, on the other hand, will want to build on mid-October’s win at Goodison Park, their first of the European campaign after frustrating draws against their Italian and Cypriot group-mates. Nabil Fekir, who converted a 6th minute penalty against Everton and scored a brace at the weekend, is perhaps Lyon’s greatest threat, though Frenchman’s Super Mega PGM of 42-49 trails Mariano’s 57-67.

Yet to find a full time manager since Ronald Koeman’s dismissal 10 days ago, the Toffees look in trouble, with Spreadex offering a hefty Lyon/Everton Goal Supremacy spread of 1.4-1.6 alongside a Total Goals spread of 3.05-3.25.

As for Arsenal, they can reach the Europa League last 32 by beating Red Star Belgrade, at 8.05pm on BT Sport 2. In fact, thanks to the Gunners’ unbeaten streak – they’re one of only 4 sides to win all 3 of their opening games – if BATE Borisov fail to beat Koln, all it would take for them to progress is a draw against their Serbian visitors.



One thing that does complicate matters for Arsene Wenger is Saturday’s trip to Manchester City, which provides an opportunity for Arsenal to shrink the 9 point deficit that separates the 2 sides (and inflict upon City their first loss of the season). Luckily Wenger’s ‘second string’ team includes Olivier Giroud, who sits at a Super Mega PGM of 69-79, Theo Walcott, at 35-41, and Jack Wilshere. The manager may even allow Edward Nketiah, who saved Arsenal’s bacon in the EFL Cup, his European debut, with the youngster at a healthy Super Mega PGM of 46-54.

Belgrade themselves are far from out of the competition. After wading through qualifying from the 1st round, they’ve drawn against BATE and beaten Koln in Germany, before narrowly losing to Giroud’s 85th minute strike in mid-October. Domestically, meanwhile, they’ve lost just one fixture all season, with 13 wins in 15 games. Richmond Boakye and Aleksander Pesic have repeatedly proven their ability going forwards, and sit at Super Mega PGMs of 20-24 and 14-18 respectively.

Still, the Gunners haven’t lost a competitive home game since the end of January, leaving them at a sizeable Arsenal/Red Star Belgrade Goal Supremacy spread of 1.35-1.55 alongside a Total Goals spread of 3-3.2.