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Red Star Belgrade vs Arsenal: Europa League prediction, team line-ups and where to watch on TV and online

PA
PA

They may be hoping that their sojourn in the Europa League is a brief one, but Arsenal appear to be making the most of their time in the competition.

Two wins from two means Arsenal’s passage through the group stage this year is notably more serene than it was in their most recent Champions League campaigns, giving Arsene Wenger the chance to rotate his sizeable squad.

A victory at Red Star Belgrade on Thursday would hand them a five-point advantage at the top of Group H and allow Wenger to ease off for the return fixtures over the coming weeks.

But the 1991 European Cup winners have proven to be tough nuts to crack so far this season, conceding only three goals in 14 matches in the Serbian SuperLiga and Europa League group stage.

Scroll down for Standard Sport’s comprehensive preview…


Start time

Red Star Belgrade welcome Arsenal to the Marakana of Thursday, October 19, with kick-off scheduled for 6pm UK time.


TV and live online coverage

The match will be televised live on BT Sport 2, with coverage from 5:30pm. BT Sport subscribers can watch the match on the enhanced video player on BTSport.com or via the BT Sport app.

You can follow all the team news and goals from 5pm with Standard Sport’s live scoreboard blog.


Team news

Arsenal could recall Mathieu Debuchy for their Europa League group game at Red Star Belgrade, with the France international in line for his first start in 11 months.

The defender has been sidelined and almost left in the summer but is now expected to start in Serbia as Arsene Wenger rings the changes.

Petr Cech will start in goal as David Ospina has not travelled while Danny Welbeck (hamstring) and Santi Cazorla (ankle) are among a host of first-team players not to travel.


Predicted line-ups

Red Star Belgrade starting XI: Borjan; Stojkovic, Le Tallec, Babic, Gobeljic; Donald, Krsticic; Srnic, Pesic, Radonjic; Boakye

Arsenal starting XI: Cech; Holding, Mertesacker, Debuchy; Nelson, Elneny, Willock, Maitland-Niles; Walcott, Wilshere; Giroud


Head to head

Arsenal and Red Star last met in the 1978 Uefa Cup third round, with the Serbian side qualifying 2-1 on aggregate, Cvijetin Blagojevic scoring the second leg winner after a 1-1 draw at Highbury.


Prediction


Betting odds (via betfair)

  • Red Star Belgrade to win: 10/3

  • Draw: 14/5

  • Arsenal to win: 4/5

Click here to place a bet. Odds correct as of October 19 at 8am.