Zurich v Arsenal predictions: Gunners set for European cruise

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Zurich v Arsenal in the Europa League on Thursday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 5.45pm Thursday

Best bet

Kieran Tierney to score first
0.5pts 35-1 Betfair

Team news

Zurich
Centre-back Ilan Sauter and on-loan forward Bogdan Viunnyk are out for the home side.

Arsenal
Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny will miss the trip to Switzerland. Emile Smith Rowe and Cedric are doubts after not taking part in training this week.

Match preview

Arsenal start their European campaign with a trip to FC Zurich and the Gunners shouldn’t have too many problems progressing from a section also containing PSV Eindhoven and Bodo/Glimt.

Mikel Arteta’s men are the 11-2 favourites to lift the Europa League trophy in May, with fellow English side Manchester United next best at 8-1. The Gunners made a strong start domestically, winning their opening five Premier League matches, but they were undone by the Red Devils at Old Trafford last weekend.

Arsenal take a major step down in class against Zurich, who have lost their last two domestic fixtures and only just found a way past Hearts to qualify for the group stage of this competition.

The Jambos were making a good fist of turning around a 2-1 first-leg deficit at Tynecastle before Jorge Grant's second-half red card opened the door for Franco Foda’s men. That gives a good indication of the level that the hosts are at and it’s some way below that of the north Londoners.

Arteta is expected to make sweeping changes to his side for the Swiss trip. Kieran Tierney is one player that is likely to come into the starting line-up and the attacking left-back could be worth a punt to bag the first goal at 35-1.

The Scot has scored three times in his Arsenal career, and that’s not an awful return when you consider that he has often occupied a more defensive position on the left-side of a three-man defence.

The former Celtic full-back scored against Benfica in this competition a couple of seasons ago and he is likely to get plenty of chances to get forward in a game which Arsenal should dominate.

Key stat

Arsenal have won 15 of their last 18 Europa League group-stage matches.

Inside info

Zurich

Penalty taker Blerim Dzemaili
Assist ace Ole Selnaes
Set-piece aerial threat Mirlind Kryeziu
Card magnet Mirlind Kryeziu

Arsenal

Penalty taker Gabriel Jesus/Bukayo Saka
Assist ace Bukayo Saka
Set-piece aerial threat Gabriel
Card magnet Granit Xhaka

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