Arsenal vs Slavia Prague prediction: How will Europa League fixture play out tonight?
Arsenal welcome Slavia Prague to the Emirates Stadium this evening for the first leg of the teams’ Europa League quarter-final tie.
The hosts will hope to bounce back following their disappointing 3-0 defeat by Liverpool in the Premier League at the weekend, while Slavia Prague will look to extend their stunning 21-game unbeaten run.
The Czech top flight’s leaders have been reduced to 10 men in their last two outings, however, and will be keen to avoid such disciplinary issues here as they take on Premier League opposition in Europe for the second time this season.
Prague eliminated Leicester City in the last 32 – before knocking out Scottish champions Rangers in the last 16 – while Arsenal progressed against Olympiacos in the last round despite a second-leg loss.
Here’s everything you need to know about the quarter-final first leg this evening.
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When is it?
The game will kick off at 8pm GMT tonight.
How can I watch it?
The match will air live on BT Sport, with subscribers also able to stream it live on the broadcaster’s website and app.
What is the team news?
Arsenal will be without defenders David Luiz and Kieran Tierney, both of whom are suffering from knee injuries, with the latter likely to miss as many as six weeks of action. In midfield, Real Madrid loanee Martin Odegaard will also miss out due to an ankle issue, but Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Granit Xhaka all return for Mikel Arteta’s side.
For Prague, Ondrej Kudela’s provisional one-match suspension following allegations of racism towards Rangers’ Glen Kamara rules out the 34-year-old, who has also come down ill this week. The visitors have further defensive absentees in the form of Simon Deli and David Hovorka, but Abdallah Sima will be able to play on the wing despite a domestic ban. Goalkeeper Matyas Vagner, 18, is also eligible to step out here in spite of a red card at the weekend, with first-choice shot-stopper Ondrej Kolar out due to a sinus fracture.
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Predicted line-ups
Arsenal: Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Cedric; Partey, Elneny; Saka, Odegaard, Pepe; Lacazette
Prague: Vagner; Bah, Zima, Hromada, Boril; Holes, Sevcik; Sima, Stanciu, Olayinka; Kuchta
Odds
Arsenal: 11/20
Draw: 16/5
Prague: 5/1
Prediction
Arsenal certainly have the quality in their squad to pick up a home win here, but expect them to make hard work of this game against dangerous opponents. Arsenal 2-1 Prague.
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