Advertisement

Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid: Europa League semi-final prediction, preview, betting tips, odds, TV channel, live streaming online, start time, team news, line-ups, head to head

Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid | Europa League semi-final, first leg | Thursday, 8:05pm BST | Emirates Stadium

Arsenal head into their Europa League semi-final against Atletico Madrid knowing it will be Arsene Wenger's last chance of winning a European trophy with the north London club.

Wenger shocked the footballing world on Friday by announcing his decision to leave Arsenal at the end of the current season, despite having another year left to run on his contract.

The news may well galvanise the Gunners ahead of a tough tie against Atletico, but Diego Simeone's side will be in no mood to let Wenger bow out on a high as the Spanish side seek European redemption after two Champions League final defeats against rivals Real in the last four seasons.

Scroll down for Standard Sport's comprehensive preview...

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Start time

Arsenal host Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium, London, with kick-off scheduled for 8:05pm on Thursday, April 26.


TV, live stream and social coverage

The match will be televised on BT Sport 2 and BT Sport 4K UHD from 7:30pm. BT Sport subscribers can stream the match online via the video player and BT Sport app.

We will be LIVE at the Emirates with expert analysis on our dedicated Europa League blog and all the latest reaction from the team on Twitter and Facebook.


Prediction


Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Odds subject to change)

Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet


Head to head

Arsenal and Atletico have never played a competitive match in Europe together. The Gunners beat Atletico 2-1 in the Emirates Cup pre-season tournameny back in 2009.


Team news

Wenger faces a tough call on whether to stick with his regular cup goalkeeper David Ospina, or start No.1 Petr Cech.

Mohamed Elneny is out after suffering a worrying ankle injury against West Ham, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan is also unavailable. Alex Iwobi could lose out to Danny Welbeck after a poor showing against the Hammers.

Arsenal have received a boost with former Chelsea striker Diego Costa all but ruled out for Atletico. Simeone played a three-man defence against Real Betis on Sunday, and has hinted that he could be tempted to do so again on Thursday night. Right-back Juanfran is also a doubt for both legs after suffering a thigh injury.

Predicted line-ups

Arsenal (4-3-3): Cech; Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Xhaka, Wilshere, Ramsey; Ozil, Welbeck, Lacazette

Atletico (4-5-1): Oblak; Vrsaljko, Godin, Savic, Hernandez; Koke, Gabi, Saul Niguez, Correa, Vitolo; Griezmann