Kick-off: 2000, 09/05/2019
Stadium: Mestalla
TV: BT Sport
Valencia will be going all out to overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit when entertaining Arsenal in the Europa League and do have a superb record at the Mestalla.
Los Che beat Manchester United and Young Boys here in the Champions League this season and have won eight straight at home in this competition.
With the Gunners widely regarded as poor travellers, the Spanish side look worthy favourites to prevail on the night at 91/100 for our initial Valencia vs Arsenal prediction.
A Look At Valencia’s Betting Odds
Valencia started brightly at Emirates Stadium and took a deserved 11th-minute lead through Mouctar Diakhaby, after defender Ezequiel Garay earlier missed an open net.
Alexandre Lacazette’s first-half double then turned things around and a late strike from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put the Gunners in control of the tie.
However, Los Che head coach Marcelino was adamant his side showed enough in London to suggest they still have a chance of reaching the final in Baku at the end of the month.
He said: “We played well and the goal towards the end was a surprise, nobody was expecting it.
“It makes it a more difficult situation for us, but it doesn’t take anything away from our thoughts that we can still reach the final.
“I don’t think any Valencia fan will feel that they are particularly stronger than us, or the superior side. As professionals, that’s not how we felt.”
Keeping Lacazette and Aubameyang at bay will be a tough proposition, though, with Marcelino admitting: “They have two very good strikers.
“I don’t know how many millions of euros they cost, but if you make even the slightest mistake at this level, players like them can take advantage of that.”
Looking at the Valencia vs Arsenal odds, we like 9/4 for a home win and both teams to score, as happened when United and Young Boys visited during the Champions League group stage.
A Look At Arsenal’s Betting Odds
Arsenal went into the first leg on the back of three straight Premier League defeats and had to recover from an extremely shaky start.
Unai Emery was delighted with the spirit shown, declaring: “We can be happy and proud of the players, because after 1-0 it’s not easy to be calm and come back with this team.”
However, the Spaniard, who managed Valencia from 2008 to 2012, is taking nothing for granted ahead of the return fixture.
“It’s a good result at home in the first leg, but the second leg is going to be very difficult and maybe different,” he added.
“I consider it to be a 50/50 for the two teams. I still believe that the tie is in the balance…and they will be looking to respond.”
That view is backed up by the fact that the Gunners have lost nine of their last 15 away games in all competitions, but they did hold firm to win at Napoli in the quarter-finals.
We think they are in for a scary ride at the Mestalla, but can survive, with 31/4 for a 2-1 home win on the night completing our Valencia vs Arsenal betting tips – and good enough for the English outfit to go through!
Emery has no new injury concerns but Aaron Ramsey (hamstring) will not play for the club again, while Barcelona loanee Denis Suarez (groin), Danny Welbeck (ankle), Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding (both knee) are also sidelined for the season.
Additional stats
First-leg result:
ARSENAL 3-1 VALENCIA – Alexandre Lacazette (2), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang + Mouctar Diakhaby
Previous head-to-head: Valencia 2-1 Arsenal, Arsenal 0-0 Valencia, Valencia 1-0 Arsenal, Arsenal 2-1 Valencia, Valencia 0-0 Arsenal
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