Arsenal and Celtic face their biggest fights yet whilst Chelsea’s tie is on a knife edge as the Europa League’s Round of 32 sees its second legs get underway.
With the winner of this competition gaining entry to next season’s Champions League, this is must win for Arsenal and Chelsea in terms of easing their pressure of needing a top four league finish.
As for Celtic, they face a mammoth task in Valencia just to even reach the next round.
Arsenal vs Bate Borisov (5:55pm)
Although they are 1-0 down on aggregate, this tie is still in Arsenal’s hands and the weekend off might just help them here.
The Gunners however haven’t been able to overturn a first leg loss in their last three attempts across all UEFA competitions, with two of those opening legs coming at home.
BATE meanwhile will be hoping to record only the second ever win by a Belarusian side on English soil, but lost here last season 6-0 so know how easy it could be to blow this tie.
Prediction wise, Alexandre Lacazette’s absence and the ridiculously early kick-off time affecting fans will be a hindrance but Arsenal should just pull through if BATE go ultra defensive for entire match.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 BATE Borisov
Result: Arsenal 3-0 BATE Borisov (Arsenal win 3-1 on aggregate)
Valencia vs Celtic (5:55pm)
Overturning a 2-0 aggregate deflict and yet to win a single game on Spanish soil is a tough ask awaiting Celtic at Valencia.
Los Ches have lost just twice in 19 home games this season across all competitions although nine of those unbeaten games have been draws, which only makes the Bhoys’ task even harder.
As fabulous as it would be to see Celtic overturn this deflict, I can only see a draw here personally.
Prediction: Valencia 1-1 Celtic
Result: Valencia 1-0 Celtic (Valencia win 3-0 on aggregate)
Chelsea vs Malmo (8:00pm)
With only one goal in it, Chelsea need to treat this tie with respect because if take foot off gas then Malmo could turn this tie on its head.
Sunday’s Carabao Cup Final might be the tempting priority but that doesn’t guarantee Champions League football next season, and after Monday’s unspectacular FA Cup display, Chelsea really need to find their spark quickly here.
The main issue against Manchester United on Monday was a distinct lack of clinical finishing, which was painfully exposed by no alternative strategy other than Sarri-ball which is just hitting a dead end constantly.
Malmo just need to grab control of this game by scruff of its neck and launch waves of clinical attacks, which will eventually breach the defence.
If they do that then you have to worry for Chelsea who are really flat performance wise at minute.
I however can see Chelsea just pulling through this with a draw because Malmo don’t seem like a team who can score twice then hold out against top opposition.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Malmo
Result: Chelsea 3-0 Malmo (Chelsea win 5-1 on aggregate)
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