AZ Alkmaar vs Man United
Cars Jeans Stadion, Den Haag
Thursday, 03-10-2019 @7:55pm
Referee: Gediminas Mazeika (Lit)
Az’s Dani de Wit is the only played sidelined through injury, with the midfielder still recovering from a broken nose. AZ will also be without key defender Jonas Svensson after he received a straight red card during the club’s opening Europa League group game against Partizan Belgrade.
United on the other hand, has something of a selection headache, with Paul Pogba unlikely to be risked after reaggravating his ankle injury against Arsenal, while Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones are all definitely out. Aaron Wan-Bissak could recover from a back problem, although he is likely to be rested, and Diogo Dalot should be in line to feature after returning to training over the weekend. Angel Gomes, who impressed against Astana, is also expected to come back into the squad.
This will be the first competitive meeting between AZ Alkmaar and Manchester United. AZ have won just two of their 12 matches against English opposition in European competition (D4 L6), however each of those victories have come on home soil – beating Ipswich 4-2 in 1980-81 UEFA Cup final and most recently beating Newcastle 2-0 in the last 16 of the 2006-07 UEFA Cup. AZ have only won one of their previous six home games in the Europa League (D1 L4), conceding at least two goals in four of those. Manchester United are unbeaten in their last five Europa League away games (W3 D2) after losing five in a row prior to this run. Marcus Rashford has scored in two of his last three away games in European competition for Manchester United (v Valencia in December 2018 and Paris Saint Germain in March 2019), as many as he had in his previous 13 combined.
Arsenal vs Standard Liege
Emirates Stadium, London
Thursday, 03-10-2019 @10pm
Referee: Sandro Scharer (Swi)
Having impressed against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup, young Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli is in line to make his first European start on Thursday night. Emery is expected to make widespread changes, which should include starts for Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney as they continue their returns from long-term injuries. Mesut Ozil is likely to feature further forward, as are Joe Wilock and Reiss Nelson after their cameo outings against United at Old Trafford. With Calum Chambers having picked up an injury in that game, Shkodran Mustafi and Rob Holdings are expected to feature at the centre of the backline.
Aside from the injured Orlando Sar, Preud’homme should have a fully-fit squad for the visit to North London. Anthony Limbombe will hope to impress having being linked with several Premier League clubs during the summer transfer window.
Arsenal have won all four encounters with Standard Liège in European competition, netting 15 goals in the process. Standard Liege have lost seven of their eight trips to England in all European competition, with the only exception being a 2-2 draw with Everton during the 2008-09 UEFA Cup. Arsenal are looking to win six consecutive home European matches (excluding qualifiers) for the first time at the Emirates, and first time since winning seven in a row between March 2001 and February 2002 at Highbury. Only FC Astana (3) and AZ Alkmaar (4) had fewer efforts at goal on MD1 of this season’s Europa League than Standard Liege (5), but the Belgians scored with two of those five shots. Arsenal boss Unai Emery has won 18 of his last 20 home Europa League matches across spells with Sevilla and the Gunners (W18 D1 L1), including the last five in a row.
The other games to be played
Thursday, 03-10-2019 @7:55pm
-Astana vs Partizan Belgred
-Young Boys vs Rangers
-Feyenoord vs Porto
-Saint Etienne vs Wolfsburg
-Oleksandria vs Gent
-CSKA Moscow vs Espanyol
-Francvaros vs Ludogorets
-Istanbul BB vs Gladbach
-Wolfsberger vs Roma
-Besiktas vs Wolves
-Braga vs Slovan Bratislava
Thursday, 03-10-2019 @10pm
-Lazio vs Rennes
-Celtic vs CFR Cluj
-Vitoria Guimares vs Frankfurt
-Sevilla vs APOEL
-Dudelange vs Qarabag
-Malmo vs Copenhagen
-Lugano vs Dynamo Kiev
-Krasnodar vs Getafe
-Trabzonspor vs Basel
-Sporting Lisbon vs LASK Linz
-Rosenberg vs PSV
