The champions league has come and gone in another week of classic entertainment. Now, it is the turn for teams in the Europa league to flaunt their abilities. The price? A place in the champions league next season. While most leagues would have no problem guessing what teams would make it to the next, the EPL is a team filled with six strong teams competing for only four slots. This is the predicament Arsenal finds themselves in when they travel to BATE for the first leg of their round of 32.
Arsenal
Arsenal is a very complicated team. Despite being ranked as the top ten most valuable and richest club in the world, they are unable to sanction transfers that would raise themselves up to the level of their rivals. This has had a heavy effect on how their season has gone. They have faced defensive issues, staff issues and all you can think of. However, remarkably, Arsenal is in a direct challenge for the top four. Apart from this, they are also poised to have a long fruitful run in the Europa league. This and many more have left Arsenal fans hopeful. For them to achieve any of this, they would first need to defeat a BATE side who is hungry to pull off an upset.
BATE
Bate is a team which is lukewarm at the moment. They have failed to keep a consistent form in recent times. The Europa league is a litmus which they would use to test how far they have gone. However, Arsenal is arguably the biggest team in the Europa league right now and they would definitely have to set up the barricades if they would hope to get anything from this game. It is set to be an entertaining match once the ball gets rolling.
Form
When it comes to form, both teams are on the verge of getting their form to excellent heights. BATE has won three of their last six games. They have just recovered from a three-match losing streak and they would be hoping to make it three wins in a row. It would definitely be interesting to see how they match up against an Arsenal side who would be looking at the Europa league as a direct ticket to the champions league.
Arsenal has had an up and down form recently. They have won three of their last six matches. They have shown the height of inconsistency as each loss has come after a win. They would have the chance to win two consecutive matches for the first time in six games. This game is crucial to Arsenal. Despite the fact they would not have the services of Ozil and Ramsey, they would be confident of getting their vital away goals today.
BATE and Arsenal would definitely be the match of the day. It remains to be seen whether Arsenal would come to the party in this game or whether BATE would spring a surprise and take a surprising lead over the English giants.
Bet on this fixture now at BetScorum.com - A super fast commission free betting exchange for sports fans!