Europa League Semi-Final Double

On Thursday, the UEFA Europa League finalists will be decided as Manchester United visit AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico and Arsenal host Villarreal at the Emirates Stadium.

It will take a miracle for Roma to overturn a four-goal first leg deficit, but Arsenal’s tie with Villarreal could go either way. Automatic qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League is at stake, so expect the teams to spare no expense in pursuit of victory.

There is money to be made on both semi-finals and our suggested bets can be placed separately or together as a double with a potential return of R36.49 for a R10 stake.

Manchester United v AS Roma

Manchester United humiliated Roma in the first leg with a 6-2 victory earned despite going into half-time 2-1 down. 

Roma followed up by going down 2-0 to Sampdoria on Sunday night, extending their losing run to three matches in all competitions. The Giallorossi have now lost four and drawn one of their last five games. Manchester United have won six of their last seven fixtures, and with competition stiff for starting spots in Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side, they are unlikely to take their foot off the pedal against Roma.

Nevertheless, a Red Devils win offers close to even money, so there is value in a Manchester United victory. It is unclear what impact, if any, missing the game against Liverpool on Sunday will have on the team, but they might find that their legs are fresher than they would otherwise have been.

For Paulo Fonseca’s side, pressure is building. Speculation continues regarding his future and it will take a spectacular effort from his side to stop the rot.

Arsenal v Villarreal

Arsenal head into the home leg of this tie trailing on aggregate, but with a crucial away goal to their name. Mikel Arteta’s men will be eager to make a point against former Gunners boss Unai Emery.

Arsenal were very much in the game during the reverse fixture, even after Dani Ceballos was sent off. Mohamed Elneny and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored in a comfortable 2-0 victory over Newcastle United to return to winning ways over the weekend.

Villarreal may have shaded the contest on their own turf, but Arsenal showed against Slavia Prague that they are capable of recovering from a disappointing first leg to turn on the style in the second.  Like Arsenal, Villarreal are an inconsistent and unpredictable side, but the difference between the two is that Arteta’s charges boast more star firepower than their visitors.

An all-English final remains the likely outcome and the Gunners are tipped to triumph on home soil against the Yellow Submarine.