Rapid Wien vs Arsenal
Allianz Stadion, Wien
Thursday, 22-10-2020 @7:55pm
Ref: Pavel Kralovec (CZE)
Rapid Wien starts their Europa League campaign this term, hoping to progress from the group stage for the third time in their recent four appearances in the tournament.
Excluding matches played on neutral turf, Arsenal is unbeaten across their last six EL away games, which pose a tremendous threat to the host.
Mikel Arteta is looking at an easy win in the Europa League group stage fixture. The gaffer’s decision to drop Mesut Ozil for the tournament has raised some brows amongst the Gunners family.
However, their result from the opening group stage will back his decision’s clarity on Thursday.
The teams have not met before in recent times.
Rapid Wien have a long list of injuries to account for and will have to do without Tamas Szanto, Philipp Schobesberger, Christopher Dibon, and Dalibor Velimirovic in this game. The Austrian side will have to be at its best to stand a chance in this game.
Mikel Arteta is likely to ring in the rotations for Arsenal this week with Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson, and Joe Willock set to feature for the Gunners. Arsenal also have a depleted squad and cannot afford to lose more players to injury ahead of a hectic schedule.
Tottenham Hotspur vs LASK Linz
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
Thursday, 22-10-2020 @10pm
Ref: Muhammed Al Hakim (SWE)
Spurs are one of the best teams in the Premier League – widely considered to be the most competitive and cutthroat domestic competition in Europe. In fact, they have been counted amongst the titans of England for the past several years.
They are easily the strongest team in Group J, and really are one of the main contenders to lift the trophy at the end of the season.
They are expected to easily top the group, and considering that they begin their campaign at home, and that too against a team from Austria – expect a Tottenham win this Thursday.
These two teams are locking horns for the first time.
Young defender Japhet Tanganga is a doubt, while Eric Dier and Giovani Lo Celso both missed Tottenham’s draw with West Ham, but could be in contention to play in this game. The returning Gareth Bale is likely to start, but expect Jose Mourinho to name a much-changed side overall.
LASK will be without midfielder Dominik Reiter, who has a torn cruciate ligament. Outside of that, the Austrian side will be able to call upon a full-strength squad.
Leicester City vs Zorya
King Power Stadium, Leicestershire
Thursday, 22-10-2020 @10pm
Ref: Stephanie Frappart (FRA)
Leicester’s great results from the opening rounds of English Premier League and phenomenal 5-2 victory against Manchester City got overshadowed by some poor performances in the last couple of weeks.
The Foxes have lost the last two domestic matches, both played at home and slipped to 4th place on the standings. This Thursday they will kick of Europa League campaign against underdogs from Ukraine, team Zorya.
The visitors have some experience of playing at this stage of UEL, which they reached back in 2017 but achieved no success.
There were no previous head to head meetings between Leicester City and Zorya.
Leicester have a number of injury issues to contend with ahead of this game. Wilfried Ndidi, Ricardo Pereira, Caglar Soyuncu and top scorer Jamie Vardy. all missed the Foxes’ loss to Aston Villa, and all are doubtful for this game too.
Zorya will be without midfielder Maksym Kazakov and goalkeeper Zauri Makharadze, who are both sidelined with injuries. The Ukrainian side will have a full-strength squad outside of those two players, though.
The other Europa League games to be played on Thursday
@7:55pm
-Young Boys vs AS Roma
-CSK Sofia vs CFR Cluj
-Dundalk vs Molde
-Bayer Leverkusen vs Nice
-Hapoel Beer Sheva vs Slavia Praha
-Standard Liege vs Rangers
-Lech Poznan vs Benfica
-PSV vs Granada
-PAOK vs Omonia Nicosia
-Napoli vs AZ Alkaamar
-Rijeka vs Real Sociedad
@10pm
-Braga vs AEK Athens
-Sparta Praha vs Lille
-Celtic vs AC Milan
-Marcabi Tel Aviv vs Qarabag
-Villarreal vs Sivasspor
-Ludogorets vs Antwerp
-Dinamo Zagreb vs Feyernoord
-Wolfsberger vs CSKA Moscow
-Hoffenheim vs Crvena Zvezda
-Slovan Liberic vs Gent
