Ostersund v Arsenal Betting Preview – UEFA Europa League 15th February 7.45pm
Arsenal who are in their debut Europa League season will be pretty pleased with the draw that they have gotten for the first knockout stage. They take on Swedish side Ostersund who are in their first ever European season. It has been a dream run for the Swedes to get this stage of the competition and what makes it interesting is their heavy English influence. Will thy be able to make an impression against one of England’s top sites in this fascinating tie?
Ostersund News and Form
Ostersund, coached by Englishman Graham Potter, have been one of the big stories of the Europa League this season. This is their first ever European adventure in the main draw of a tournament and they handled themselves brilliantly in the group stage, getting through in second placed by Athletic Club. The two finished level on 11 points each, but Ostersunds just missed out on the head to head record against them. Ostersund are unbeaten in six previous European home encounters, winning five of those and each of those wins were with a clean sheet as well. Athletic Club are the only ones to have avoided European defeat there, playing out a 2-2 draw on Match Day Three. Ostersunds also created history in becoming the first ever Swedish side to make it through to the knockout stage of the competition. How will they handle themselves against one of the elite clubs in the competition? It may just be worth backing both teams to score at Bet Victor for 5/6 odds* (betting odds taken January 9th, 2018 at 5:04 p.m.). Ostersund are in the Europa League after winning the Swedish Cup for the first time ever last season and they got past Galatasaray, Fola Esch and PAOK during qualifying and then qualified from the group stage with a game to spare.
Arsenal News and Form
Arsenal are actually running in their first ever Europa League campaign too and they got through their group easily, winning it with a game to spare. This will be their first-ever game against Ostersunds, but the Gunners hold a W3 D1 European record against Swedish opposition. Interestingly each season that Arsenal have faced a Swedish side, they have gone on to reach a European final – and lose it on penalties after a goalless draw. For the Gunners, this is the 19th season in a row that they have found themselves with European action in the spring. Before they went and lost 1-0 at Cologne on match day five in the group stage, the Gunners were on a four-match winning streak away from home in Europe. They have only suffered the one defeat in their last 11 matches across the Europa and Champions League now (W8 D2) with a fine record. They are favourites at Bet Victor to qualify from the tie and in the Bet Victor correct score market an Arsenal 2-1 victory is at 15/2 odds* (betting odds taken January 9th, 2018 at 5:04 p.m.) in what could be an exciting away game.
Ostersund v Arsenal Head to Head
The two sides have never met before in European competition.
Ostersund v Arsenal Betting Odds*
Arsenal 11/20, Draw 31/10, Ostersund 19/4* (Betting Odds taken on February 9th, 2018 at 4:15 a.m.)
Ostersund v Arsenal Predictions
Arsenal are favourites here for a reason and even though they could take it easy out on the road, they should have the class and quality to get themselves a win on the board and make thongs comfortable for themselves ahead of the second leg. Back the Gunners to get a win on the board but maybe only by the one goal margin.
