Thursday’s Europa League tips: Manchester United to cruise in Cyprus; goals galore for Arsenal
- Matty Briggs
- 5 October 2022
Check out our key stats and suggested bets for Omonia Nicosia vs Manchester United, Arsenal vs Bodo/Glimt and the best of the rest in Thursday night's action in the Europa League.
Omonia Nicosia vs Man Utd
Erik ten Hag had a "reality check" after Manchester United were hammered 6-3 at neighbours Manchester City on Sunday.
The scoreline was kind to United with City making wholesale changes in the second half with the game already won.
The Dutch boss has thanked Pep Guardiola and his team for the 'lesson' and he has vowed to go with his strongest side against Omonia Nicosia on Thursday (17.45).
With a run of nine fixtures in the space of just 29 days, the last thing Ten Hag would have wanted was to travel to Cyprus with his best XI. But he has been forced into the decision as he tries to develop a "competitive culture" at Old Trafford.
Whether that will mean starting roles for Cristiano Ronaldo and Casemiro, both benched at The Etihad, is unclear. But Ten Hag needs a response from his United charges, who are a best-priced 1/4 to see off the Cypriot minnows.
United won against Sheriff away from home last time out in the Europa League, with Ronaldo leading the line and scoring. The team that night in Chisinau included the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho, while the back four was also first choice.
United will be in no mood to allow their Group E rivals off the hook and a win to nil will be what Ten Hag has asked for.
Omonia have lost both their games in the competition to date, scoring just once.
They have also lost twice from five league games and the Neil Lennon-managed side will need no motivation.
But the gulf in class should be evident from the off and United are fancied to get back to winning ways.
Arsenal vs Bodo/Glimt
Arsenal will be looking to take over at the top of Group A on Thursday from Bodo/Glimt.
Mikel Arteta's men have only played once in the competition - a 2-1 win over FC Zurich. They managed 71% possession that night even though Arteta rang the changes.
And he is expected to do the same again at The Emirates, where Arsenal have a 100% record this season.
The Norwegians are second in the standings in Norway, but are the league's top scorers with 60 goals in 24 games.
Boss Kjetil Knutsen has an attacking blueprint and that is what saw him linked with the Brighton job. He has done brilliant things with Bodo, leading them to consecutive league titles and a run to the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
His high-pressing style is reminiscent of that employed by Jurgen Klopp, while Sadio Mane was in town at Liverpool.
Knutsen will not change tact in London and his side will try and win the ball high and attack.
It could well mean that the buoyant Gunners fans are in for a treat with goals the order of the day.
Best of the rest
Real Betis (7/2) could be worth chancing away at Roma.
Manuel Pellegrini's side have made a strong start to the season, winning seven of their first nine matches across all competitions. They offer a distinct threat going forward and may not let Jose Mourinho's men have it all their own way.
Braga (11/13) should repay home backers with a win over Belgian side Union SG, who have won both of their group games to date
Artur Jorge's side were on an eight-game winning streak before Porto snapped that last Friday and they look set to bounce back.
Midtjylland produced a fine display to overcome Lazio 5-1 in their last group.
The Danish outfit are unbeaten in their last four matches and have also seen off Copenhagen in that time.
Feyenoord will be no pushovers, but 2/1 is a tempting price for the hosts.
Key stats
Man United and Omonia have never faced each other competitively
The Cypriot side have lost all four of their previous games versus English opposition
Only one of Bodo/Glimt's last 13 away matches in Europe has ended in victory
Arsenal are unbeaten after six clashes with Norwegian opposition
Real Betis have won seven of their nine matches in 2022-23
Braga are averaging three goals a game in the Portuguese Primeira Liga
Suggested bets
Man Utd to win to nil 9/10
Last goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo 11/4
Arsenal v Bodo/Glint over 3.5 goals 11/10
Arsenal to win and BTTS 13/8
Real Betis DNB v Roma 23/10
Braga to beat Union SG 11/13
Midtjylland to beat Feyenoord 2/1
