MX23RW : Thursday, November 26 16:36:17| >> :120:5963:5963:
Nov 6, 2019 at 3.50pm UK at Estádio Dom Afonso Henriques (Guimarães)
Attendance: 17,822
GuimaraesVitoria de Guimaraes
1-1
Arsenal
Duarte (91')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Mustafi (81')

Preview: Vitoria de Guimaraes vs. Arsenal - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole provides team news, predicted lineups and a full preview of Wednesday's Europa League fixture between Vitoria de Guimaraes and Arsenal.

Arsenal make the trip to Portugal to face Vitoria de Guimaraes knowing that three points will realistically be enough to secure their place in the Europa League knockout stages.

Meanwhile, Vitoria sit bottom of Group F having failed to earn a single point from their opening three fixtures.


Match preview

Arsenal manager Unai Emery on October 24, 2019© Reuters

While an eight-game unbeaten streak gave reason for Unai Emery to be optimistic about the development of his side, the subsequent five-match period has suggested that their earlier spell had simply papered over the cracks.

Courtesy of a dramatic 3-2 triumph over Vitoria at the end of last month, Arsenal are perfectly placed to progress into the last 32 of this competition, but letting slip leads in each of their last three domestic games has put Emery under severe pressure at the Emirates Stadium.

Saturday's 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers has left Arsenal six points adrift of the top four, leading to reports that Emery may soon be removed from his position in the dugout.

Another victory over Vitoria on Wednesday afternoon will not do anything to improve Emery's stock at the North London outfit, but defeat would result in more question marks over whether the Spaniard will remain in charge in the long term.

In sharp contrast, Vitoria's domestic form has been much better than their outings in Europe, with Ivo Vieira's team currently placed in fifth position in Portugal's top flight.

However, while there would have been frustration having only earned a 1-1 draw at Moreirense at the weekend, Vitoria will be in a positive frame of mind heading into the reverse encounter with the English giants.

That will be partly due to twice leading at the Emirates Stadium before falling victim to two free kicks from substitute Nicolas Pepe in the closing stages.

A win would have arguably represented the most famous result in their history, although there will be no-one associated with Os Conquistadores who will not feel that they can cause a big upset in front of their own supporters this week.

Vitoria de Guimaraes form: LDLLWD

Arsenal form: WLWDDD


Team News

Arsenal's Granit Xhaka reacts after being substituted on October 27, 2019© Reuters

Having missed the last two matches due to the fallout from his angry outburst towards supporters against Crystal Palace, Granit Xhaka could be handed a recall for this contest.

Emery will almost certainly make sweeping changes to his team, with Joe Willock, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli all in line to feature in the first XI.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles could get the nod over Bukayo Saka, while Hector Bellerin will hope to impress ahead of potentially playing in the Premier League on Saturday.

Marcus Edwards will hope to be given another start for Vitoria, with the former Tottenham Hotspur youngster having scored at the Emirates Stadium.

However, former Wolverhampton Wanderers man Leo Bonatini will likely begin the game on the substitutes' bench.

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup: Douglas; Rochinha, Tapsoda, Henrique, Hanin; Evangelista, Agu, Teixeira; Edwards, Duarte, Pereira

Arsenal possible starting lineup: Martinez; Bellerin, Holding, Mustafi, Kolasinac; Xhaka, Willock; Maitland-Niles, Smith Rowe, Pepe; Martinelli


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Vitoria de Guimaraes 1-3 Arsenal

While Emery will make alterations for this contest, we feel that Arsenal should still come through with minimal fuss. Vitoria showed their quality in the reverse fixture, which should result in the visitors possessing no complacency ahead of this game.


ID:377403:cQx

Who will win Wednesday's Europa League clash between Vitoria de Guimaraes and Arsenal?

Vitoria de Guimaraes
Draw
Arsenal
Vitoria de Guimaraes
0.0%
Draw
0.0%
Arsenal
0.0%
0
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Arsenal manager Unai Emery on October 24, 2019
Read Next:
Unai Emery hails "perfect" Nicolas Pepe performance
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Tottenham HotspurSpurs96212191220
2Liverpool96212116520
3Chelsea953122101218
4Leicester CityLeicester96031812618
5Southampton95221713417
6Everton95131916316
7Aston Villa85031911815
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham94231510514
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves9423910-114
10Manchester UnitedMan Utd84131314-113
11Crystal Palace94141213-113
12Arsenal9414910-113
13Manchester CityMan City83321011-112
14Leeds UnitedLeeds93241417-311
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle93241015-511
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton92341315-29
17Burnley8125412-85
18Fulham9117918-94
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom9036618-123
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd9018415-111

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!