Gunners, Blues seek some solace
ARSENAL are 1-0 behind in their Europa League last 32 tie with BATE Borisov and London rivals Chelsea are 2-1 ahead going into their second leg against Malmo, but both need big performances.
The Europa League is Arsenal’s last chance of a trophy in their first season under Unai Emery. An embarrassing exit at home to the Belarusians could leave fans deciding the campaign, despite early promise, has been another flop after the latter Arsene Wenger years.
But despite facing his biggest test so far, the Spaniard is staying positive for today’s home leg.
“There are two matches,” Emery said. “I trust in our work to prepare for the next match and to have a different result in Emirates Stadium.”
The Gunners are missing striker Alexandre Lacazette, suspended after being sent off in the away leg.
Chelsea host Malmo holding a slender lead, but all is not rosy at Stamford Bridge.
Monday’s 2-0 FA Cup loss to Manchester United put more pressure on manager Maurizio Sarri, who was booed and jeered by the home fans.
Media reports have said Sarri is close to being fired due to the inflexibility of his tactics.
He has the League Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday so the team he picks against Malmo will be closely watched.
Germany’s Bayer Leverkusen are in fine form domestically but could only manage a 0-0 draw at Russia’s Krasnodar last week.
Peter Bosz’s ultra-attacking side should still go through, although winger Karim Bellarabi limped out of Sunday’s 2-0 Bundesliga win over Fortuna Dusseldorf and is out of the second leg.
Fellow Germans Eintracht Frankfurt were also held last week but their 2-2 draw at Shakhtar Donetsk gave them an away-goals advantage for the home return.
Valencia look to finish the job at home against Celtic with a 2-0 lead from the first leg. They have Geoffrey Kondogbia and Facundo Roncaglia out suspended. Goncalo Guedes finally returned from injury at the weekend after 65 days out, but fullback Cristiano Piccini will be missing.
Villarreal defend a 1-0 lead at home to Sporting but have injury problems in defence. Javier Calleja wants to stick with his new system of three central defenders but has only three fit centre-backs after Daniele Bonera became a major doubt due to muscle problems.
The Villarreal coach is already without Santiago Caseres and Jaume Costa because of suspension, although Villarreal are full of confidence after beating Sevilla in La Liga at the weekend.
Sevilla had a 1-0 advantage over Lazio in the Europa League when they welcomed the Italians for a second leg due to be played last night, because city rivals Real Betis host Rennes today after a 3-3 draw in France.
Napoli entertain Zurich after a 3-1 away win, and Inter Milan take a 1-0 lead into a home leg against Rapid Vienna.
Napoli have all but lost hope of catching Serie A leaders Juventus, now sitting 13 points clear after the Neapolitans were held 0-0 against Torino, the third scoreless draw in five league games.