Eintracht Frankfurt V Arsenal
Thursday 19th September 2019 – 17:55 Kick-Off
UEFA Europa League
Pick: Frankfurt or Draw (Double Chance)
Odds: 17/25
Bookmaker: MarathonBet
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37/20 | 49/20 | 5/4 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of 16th September 2019 at 20:20)
Preview: In last season’s group stage, these teams would combine to win eleven of their twelve matches before progressing deep into the competition – Frankfurt eventually bowing out in the semi-finals whereas Arsenal were defeated in the final itself. So this is a stellar match-up in prospect, with the Commerzbank-Arena providing the backdrop for this opening Group F meeting.
UEFA Europa League Betting – 22Bet
Eintracht Frankfurt Preview – Another strong campaign in the group stage beckons?
The biggest drawback to success is that it raises the levels of expectations. That is something Frankfurt will have to deal with in the forthcoming Europa League campaign, on the back of their valiant efforts in last season’s competition when a semi-final defeat on penalties to Chelsea prevented them from appearing in the Baku final. The Germans are 66/1 with Bet365 to lift the trophy in May.
A better bet would be Frankfurt to finish top of the group, which is currently 3/1 with WilliamHill. The latter was a feat they not only achieved last time round but did so in magnificent style – in what looked one of the tougher sections. Apollon Limassol, Lazio and Marseille all collectively failed to halt the Frankfurt juggernaut as Adi Hutter’s team progressed onto the knockouts with a perfect record (W6).
A repeat performance would seem unlikely on this occasion. The summer departures of Sebastien Haller and Luka Jovic has simply deprived them of so much firepower. Their absence has not stopped Frankfurt from scoring in all four of their Bundesliga matches so far this season, but to score one goal or fewer on three occasions clearly shows the pair are missed.
Meanwhile, defeat at Augsburg on Sunday was their second of the season and leaves them 9th in the table (W2 L2 overall). They are yet to drop a point at home, though, earning slim margin of victories against Hoffenheim (1-0) and Fortuna Dusseldorf (2-1). Portuguese forward Goncalo Paciencia is certainly one to watch after notching for the third match in a row in that weekend loss.
Arsenal Preview – Gunners to atone for weekend horrow show?
Losing finalists in 2018/19, Arsenal are among the frontrunners in the betting to go one better and win the tournament. Only former arch-nemesis Manchester United are above them in the outright betting. However, odds of 13/2 with Bet365 could prove a steal should Unai Emery decide to take this competition as seriously as he did last season, with The Gunners a class act right up until losing that final 4-1 to Chelsea.
First up is probably their toughest assignment in this section, going up against a Frankfurt side which would not drop a point during last season’s group phase. In fairness to Arsenal, they almost matched them – only a goalless draw with Sporting Lisbon prevented them from sailing through a group that also contained Qarabag and Vorskla Poltava with a flawless record, instead settling for the five wins and a draw.
This was also a competition coach Unai Emery took very seriously, which wasn’t all that surprising considering the success he has enjoyed in it over the years. On the road, though, the Spaniard did like to rotate more often than not. Therefore we could see a number of changes from the side which was pegged back at Watford on Sunday.
That latter result, drawing 2-2 at Watford, will still be fresh in the memory for a lot of the players on show. Arsenal were a mess defensively, allowing over 30 goal attempts and, despite leading 2-0 at one stage, were fortunate to even leave with a point. It was a result which seen them slip to seventh in the Premier League table (W2 D2 L1), while it is now no win in their last three matches (D2 L1) having previously drawn at home to Tottenham (2-2) and lost convincingly at Liverpool (3-1).
Eintrach Frankfurt V Arsenal Key Facts:
- Frankfurt sit seventh in the German Bundesliga after four matches played (W2 L2), losing 2-1 at Augsburg at the weekend.
- Arsenal were held to a 2-2 draw at Watford on Sunday, their third league match in a row without winning (D2 L1).
- In last season’s EL Group Stage, Frankfurt won all six of their group games while Arsenal almost matched them, winning five and drawing the other.
Betting summary
Imperious in this competition last season, Frankfurt have it all to do if they are to maintain those incredibly high standards. That is because there is no longer the goals of Haller and Jovic to fall back on, which has already shown in some of their recent results having failed to notch more than one goal in three of their four Bundesliga encounters this season (W2 L2). A 2-1 defeat at Augsburg last weekend was hardly ideal preparation.
The Gunners were not far off perfection in last season’s group stage, producing some very professional displays on their travels to record victories in all three outings. This trip to Frankfurt appears tougher on paper than any of those, though, and with Emery tempted to ring the changes Arsenal could be a tad vulnerable. Meanwhile, a 2-2 draw at Watford on Sunday seriously flattered them and exposed their well-documented defensive fragilities.
Even the strongest Arsenal XI is not going to have it easy in Frankfurt, who may not be as imposing in front of goal but have still managed consecutive home wins in the Bundesliga. The hosts look very big here, especially if Emery does decide to make changes on the back of that abysmal defensive display on Sunday. The 5/4 with MoPlay about Frankfurt DrawNoBet could be worth a dabble, as is the 10/3 with PaddyPower about a Frankfurt win and Over 2.5 Goals.
