Red Star Belgrade v Arsenal Betting Preview – UEFA Europa League 19th October 6.00pm
The Gunners face a trip to Serbia on Match Day Three of the Europa League. Arsenal have opened with back to back group stage wins so far in the group and will be expected to remain unbeaten at least. Interestingly, before any of the current Arsenal players were even born, back in 1978/79 UEFA Cup third round Red Star took an aggregate win over Arsenal. But a win this one for the Premier League side would leave them a comfortable five points clear at the top of the pile.
Red Star Belgrade v Arsenal Betting Tips
There is a big incentive for Red Star Belgrade here as they could take over at the top of Group H if they could find a way to beat Arsenal at home on Thursday night. The Serbians have picked up four points from their opening two games after a draw with BATE and then a great three points out at Cologne. Arsenal and Red Star have met before, their previous meeting coming in the 1978/79 UEFA Cup third round and Belgrade won 1-0 on home soil before playing out a 1-1 drawback in London. Red Star Belgrade record in 16 matches against English sides is W6 D5 L5. They have played five games at home in Europe already this season and they have picked up a W4 D1 record from that (including qualifying). They are one of three teams to have made it all the way from the first qualifying round to the group stage. This is their first appearance in the group since 2007/08 when they lost all four of their matches.
Under 2.5 goals at bet365 returns a price of even money, although Arsenal’s defence can’t be trusted too much at the moment. Arsenal’s Premier League campaign took another hit on the weekend as they lost 2-1 at Watford. But still, from seven previous games in the UEFA Cup, the Gunners have never lost over 90 minutes with a W6 D1 record (UEFA Cup). Aside from those aforementioned games against Red Star Belgrade, Arsenal’s only other experience against Serbian opponents was 3-1 victories over Partizan in the 2010/11 UEFA Champions League group stage. In the bet365 correct score market for this one, an Arsenal 1-0 returns a price of 7/1 and only the 1-1 draw is shorter than that at 6/1.
Arsenal don’t really have to go out and win this game. They would stay top of course with a draw and then they could throw out a win back at home against them and still be well in control of the group. So they can take it easy in this one after having come from behind to beat Cologne at the Emirates on match day one, before taking a 4-2 win out at BATE. They are not rock solid at the back by any stretch of the imagination though and both teams to score at bet365 is a 4/6 punt for this one. Away from home in all competitions, this season Arsenal have produced just a W1 D1 L3 record and they have failed to score in three of those. You have a price of 4/6 at bet365 on both teams to score in this one.
Red Star Belgrade v Arsenal Betting Odds
Arsenal 8/11, Draw 11/4, Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade v Arsenal Predictions
Draw: With Arsenal going along comfortably, they really could just go out and be happy with a draw in this one. They could then beat Red Star back on home soil and the group would be pretty much won by the Premier League side. With Belgrade doing alright on home soil so far this season, look for a draw. This is their debut UEFA Europa League campaign.
