Round 5 of the Europa League is where the drama starts to heat up across Europe.
Here is a look at some of the games with odds from BetXchange.
PSV Eindhoven VS Arsenal – Philips Stadion, Eindhoven
Arsenal beat PSV 1-0 in their game that was delayed by the death of Queen Elizabeth II last Thursday. That makes this a rapid turnaround for the two to play each other again in a match where a win or draw for Arsenal would see them top the group, and a positive result of any type for PSV would put them in a great position to qualify alongside the London club.
While Arsenal drew with Southampton at the weekend in a game they would like to forget, PSY looked even more sluggish as they toiled to a 4-2 defeat at Groningen. Arsenal dominated the match at the Emirates, and with a draw being enough, I can see this one ending in a stalemate at 26/10 with BetXchange.
PFC Ludogorets VS Real Betis – Ludogorets Arena, Razgrad
This is a big game in Group C, with Betis sitting on top with 10 points and a +4 goal difference and Bulgarian side Ludogorets just three points behind them with a goal difference of +2. Like in all groups, first place is vital as there is a clear path to the Round of 16, and Ludogorets will be looking to reverse their 3-2 defeat in Seville in Round 2 here.
The Bulgarians are the team in form, as they have picked up four wins in a row in all competitions. Betis, however, remain unbeaten in Europa League play, and they had won their first three games before being held to a draw by Roma in Round 4. If you want to play a home underdog this week, you could do much worse than Ludogorets at 21./10.
Manchester United VS Sheriff Tiraspol – Old Trafford, Manchester
Manchester United have been in good form, but that has come with a price, as French center-back Raphael Varane is out until after the World Cup after picking up a hamstring injury in their last Premier League match against Chelsea.
This should mean a route back into the squad for Harry Maguire, though he is unlikely to start as Victor Lindelof seems to be the more natural choice to partner Lisandro Martinez. United only needs a point here to progress, but they will want to win as they try to chase down the three points behind group leaders Real Sociedad. Given how the Europa League works this year – with the second-placed sides facing Champions League dropouts – United will aim to win big over their Moldovan visitors. Maybe play the goals market (over 5.5 is 11/2) if you think United will find the net early and often.
Ferencvaros VS AS Monaco – Ferencvaros Stadion, Budapest
Group H has been surprising and is wide open with two games left. Hungarians Ferencvaros top the group with nine points, just three points ahead of both Monaco and Trabzonspor. Even Red Star Belgrade – with three points after four games – has a route into the next stage of the competition.
Ferencvaros made any noise in Europe was in the 1971-72 season when they lost to Wolves in the UEFA Cup semi-final. They play a Monaco team that has picked up just one draw from its last three games in all competitions, and they will fancy their chances of an upset on home soil here. Monaco has never lost back to back game sin Europe, and I think that will remain the case as the hosts battle for a draw.
