Europa League preview: English giants aiming to avoid slip ups

Matchday three of the Europa League sees two giant versus minnow clashes as Manchester United travel to Cyprus to face Omonia Nicosia, while Arsenal host Norwegian side FK Bodø/Glimt.

We preview both ties below along with the pick of the action this week.

United looking to bounce back from heavy derby defeat

After appearing to have steadied the ship in the last few weeks, Erik ten Hag and his side were dealt a severe blow when going down 6-3 to rivals Manchester City last weekend. In truth they met the perfect storm of a confident City side spearheaded by the irresistible force of Erling Haaland, so perhaps it’s unsurprising that they failed to match up.

In Europe, United started with a stutter when losing to Real Sociedad in their opening tie, before getting off the mark on matchday two with a win at Moldovan side Sheriff. On paper, Omonia Nicosia arguably provide the perfect chance for a confidence booster after their mauling last weekend and predictably United are 2/9 favourites to win.

The Red Devils will be without defenders Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Aaron Wan-Bissaka for the trip to Cyprus, but should still have the ability to contain the Omonia attack, and are just 13/20 to keep a clean sheet.

At the other end United will be looking for goals, and plenty of them – they are 27/10 to score four or more. Cristiano Ronaldo could be set to return to the starting XI and is 11/20 to score at anytime, while he is 29/10 to score two goals or more. Marcus Rashford is also odds-on to find the net at 3/4.

After defeats to Sheriff and Real Sociedad, Omonia look to have their work cut out to achieve an unlikely result against United and are 12/1 to win, with a draw priced at 5/1.

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Arsenal showing no signs of slowing down

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners returned from the international break with arguably their most impressive performance of the season by easing to a 3-1 win over north London rivals Tottenham. That’s likely to give them plenty of confidence ahead of the visit of FK Bodø/Glimt and they come into this tie as the 1/5 favourites.

Arsenal have only played one in the Europa League this season, beating FC Zurich 2-1 on the opening matchday, while their second game against PSV Eindhoven was postponed, so they will be looking to take a significant step towards the knockout stages with victory here.

They are scoring goals for fun in the league, with only Manchester City having scored more, and Gabriel Jesus remains a potent force up front. The Brazilian is 8/13 to score at anytime here, with Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli 4/5 and evens respectively to find the net.

Bodø/Glimt are unbeaten after two matches in the competition and on the evidence of their win over FC Zurich and draw with PSV they won’t be pushovers.

Striker Amahl Pellegrino has scored 20 goals in the Norwegian Eliteserien this season and looks likely to pose the biggest threat to the Gunners, at 17/5 to score at anytime.

Bodø/Glimt are a big price at 12/1 to win and 11/2 to secure a point.

In-form Betis clash with Roma

In what looks like the tie of the round, Real Betis take on Jose Mourinho’s Roma in a tie that is likely to decide who tops Group C.

Roma currently sit sixth in Serie A and have had a stuttering start to their Europa League campaign, slumping to a matchday one defeat to Bulgarian side Ludogorets before bouncing back to beat HJK 3-0. They will take confidence into this tie off the back of their defeat of Inter Milan at the weekend and with their strong home record that has seen them only drop points at the Stadio Olimpico twice this season they are the 4/5 favourites coming into this.

They face a seriously in-form side though in Real Betis, who have won seven of their nine games so far this season, with their only defeats coming against Real Madrid and Celta Vigo. The Seville side has taken a perfect six points from six in Group C and they are sure to pose a stern test. At 16/5 they could offer good value against the home side.

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