Arsenal v Ostersund Betting Preview – UEFA Europa League 22nd February 7.45pm
Arsenal can pretty much sit back and take things easy in this Europa League tie now with the advantage that they hold from the first leg. The Gunners are 3-0 up which isn’t likely to get overturned in this fixture. Ostersund, who are in their first ever European season of competition suffered from a bad case of stage fright in the first leg and now have far too much to do.
Arsenal News and Form
The Gunners are as good as in the next round of the competition now. They hold a 3-0 lead from the away first leg in their challenge against Swedish side Ostersund and they probably wouldn’t have expected such an easy time of things themselves in the game. The big margin of victory allows Arsenal to just coast through this which is important for them because now they don’t need to send out a strong side ahead of the weekend’s EFL Cup Final clash against Manchester City. Nacho Monreal and Mesut Ozil were on the scoresheet in the first leg, with Ostersunds helping them along with an own goal. Arsenal to win to nil in the second leg is 19/20 odds at William Hill* (Betting Odds taken on February 18th, 2018 at 5:36 p.m.). The Gunners didn’t get a game on the weekend so have had plenty of rest. Arsenal are unbeaten in their last eight home games in all competitions and in the William Hill Correct Score market an Arsenal 1-0 at 15/2* (Betting Odds taken on February 18th, 2018 at 5:36 p.m.) has some appeal as Arsenals can cruise.
Ostersund News and Form
Ostersund are likely to then bow out of their first ever European campaign. Going into last week’s game with Arsenal, the Swedes were W5 D1 in their six European home games, each of the wins coming with a clean sheet too. However, they played a bit of a shocker and were just deer in the headlights on their big occasion. They also missed a penalty in the game as well, a huge chance for them to make a dent in Arsenal’s challenge. Englishman Graham Potter is the manager of Ostersund, who were only formed in 1996, and he has led the club to three promotions since 2010 and this was their big moment and they didn’t show up. That having been said, striker Saman Ghoddos looked a real live wire and has some chances, notably in the second half and as he could be taking on what may not be the strongest Arsenal line up is a 7/2 option in the William Hill anytime goalscorer market* (Betting Odds taken on February 18th, 2018 at 5:36 p.m.). Part of their failure to compete was perhaps due to the Swedish domestic seasons having ended in November and not starting until April. They are playing outside of their season really and that showed in that first leg as they weren’t sharp at all. There doesn’t appear to be a way back into the tie for them now.
Arsenal v Ostersund Head to Head
The Europa League first leg was the first-ever meeting between the two clubs.
Arsenal v Ostersund Betting Odds*
Arsenal 1/4, Draw 11/2, Ostersund 12/1* (Betting Odds taken on February 16th, 2018 at 6:24 p.m.)
Arsenal v Ostersunds Predictions
Arsenal to win to nil again in this tie should be value. They can take it easy and still get the job done in this one. The Swedish side must know that they have already missed their chance of making further progress in the competition with that poor first-leg display.
