The Europa League is back with the Round of 32 kicking off tonight with plenty of tantalising matches. Here are Things to look out for in Europa League: Round of 32. Bet on the Europa League here.
Arsenal’s unbeaten run to continue?
The Gunners visit Greek giants Olympiakos for their Round of 32 Europa League tie looking to make it nine games unbeaten. After four straight draws, Mikel Arteta’s side finally registered a win the Premier League, beating Newcastle 4-0. However, with his side still tenth in the table, Arteta knows that this competition could be the best possible route to the Champions League next season. Arsenal have won just three of their nine previous UEFA competition encounters in Greece, losing five. Arsenal obviously have the better squad but this doesn’t mean that an easy game awaits them in Greece. The Gunners have always struggled away from home and with the hosts’ electric but intimidating atmosphere, they’ll need to earn a result.
Getafe’s impressive run
Spanish side Getafe are having another impressive season. They are third in La Liga and host Dutch giants Ajax in the last 32 in the Europa League for the first time. They have won 11 of their last 14 matches in all competitions and could present a difficult task for last season’s Champions League semi-finalists. However, this is Getafe’s second appearance in this competition with their 2010/11 debut having ended at the group stage. Their home form is superb. They have lost just five games at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez stadium since the start of 2019, something Ajax should be wary of.
Inter Milan’s poor away form
Inter Milan return to the Europa League after they were knocked out of the Champions League. The Nerazzurri have been eliminated at the group stage in their last three appearances in major European competition, going out in the same stage of the 2016-17 Europa League and last season’s Champions League. Their away form in Europe is dire. They have lost five of their last seven away games in the Champions League and won one of their last nine in the Europa League. Therefore, tonight’s game against reigning Bulgarian champions Ludogorets will provide a good litmus test to see whether they can go all the way in Europe’s secondary competition.
Wolves debut in the knockout round
Wolves’ European run continues tonight when they host fellow Europa League debutants Espanyol in the first leg of the Round of 32. The Spanish outfit currently sit bottom of La Liga having won just four league games all season. Still, they have made it through to the Europa League knockout stages and will be looking for some rare joy at Molineux. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side aren’t in form either. They have won just one of their last nine games in all competitions but are in a much better position in the league compared to Espanyol. Can they make a winning start in the first leg?
Stern test for United at Club Brugge
Manchester United kick off their Europa League knockout campaign with a trip to Belgian side Club Brugge. The Red Devils pulled off an impressive 2-0 win at Chelsea on Monday night, meaning the players will be confident. The Belgians were minutes away from snatching a famous win at the Santiago Bernabeu in the Champions League this season against Real Madrid. They finished third in their group, which contained PSG and Madrid. United lost their last away game in this competition and will be wary of a Brugge side that has won seven of their last ten home games. Can they stun Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team?