Desh Paarthab highlights some things to keep an eye on in the Europa League this evening including Michy Batshuayi’s Fenerbahce form, the potential for goals-galore at Feyenoord and more!
With four consecutive Europa league wins, Arsenal have confirmed their spot in the knockout stages of the competition. The Gunners joined Fenerbahce, Rennes, Real Betis, Real Sociedad and Freiburg who have already qualified with two matchdays to go.
Scott McTominay became the first substitute to score a 90th-minute+ winning goal in a European match for Manchester United since Ole Gunnar Sokskjaer did so in their treble-winning season all those years ago.
That goal means that the Red Devils can progress from their group with victory against Sheriff Tiraspol tonight.
With four straight losses, Malmo can’t continue their journey in Europe after their remaining appointments with table toppers USG and Braga.
Paulo Dybala has netted seven of Roma’s previous 16 goals – but looks to be sidelined till the end of the year which could pose a problem for The Special One.
Desh Parthab looks at five things to keep an eye on this evening!
FC Zurich in dire straits
FC Zurich are currently rooted to the foot of the Swiss top flight and are yet to record a victory (P13 D6 L7). They’re also last in Group A having lost all four of their fixtures. Despite this, they do possess a talented sharpshooter in their ranks. Tosin Aiyegun has attempted 12 shots in this season’s Europa League, but is yet to find the back of the net. The 24-year-old did return an assist in their bout with PSV Eindhoven back on MD3. Aiyegun might just be the answer as anything less than the 3 points will see the reigning Swiss champions crash out of Europe.
[SUISSE🇨🇭]
— Géraud Viwami (@GeraudViwami) September 4, 2022
Après avoir été buteur en Europa Ligue et en coupe cette saison , Tosin Aiyegun🇧🇯 a marqué son premier but en championnat hier avec Zurich malgré la défaite 1-2 du champion en titre. pic.twitter.com/6u5Mm3hU7E
Golovin could hold the key for Monaco
Monaco came out on the wrong side of a seven-goal thriller this weekend. The Monegasques can’t seem to catch a break, as this comes after a 4-0 drubbing by the hands of FC Trabzonspor – their largest margin of defeat in the Europa League. Aleksandr Golovin is one man that could get them going in this one. The twenty-six-year-old has attempted four shots and created two chances across his previous three league appearances in the French top flight.
¡Felices 2⃣5⃣ años, Aleksandr Golovin! 🎂
— AS Monaco ES 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco_ES) May 30, 2021
pic.twitter.com/Bvo9kqXDAH
Evander on fire for Midtjylland
Evander (G3 A1) has been involved in four goals across his previous three appearances for FC Midtjylland in all competitions. The Brazilian has attempted over eight shots during that spell, and I back him to get on the score sheet this evening. Last season’s runners-up in the Danish topflight are unbeaten across their previous 10 matches, across all competitions. Despite this, the Wolves have won just one of their previous 14 away games in Europe with a record of P14 W1 D6 L7.
🇧🇷 Evander faz tudo...
— UEFA.com em português (@UEFAcom_pt) September 30, 2022
Reveja o 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬 do brasileiro do Midtjylland contra a Lazio 🤩#UEL pic.twitter.com/gX1uBMJ9fi
Batshuayi finding form
Michy Batshuayi has netted four goals across his previous five appearances for Fenerbahce. The former Chelsea hitman got on the scoresheet in each of his previous two appearances in the Europa League. He could score in three consecutive appearances for the first time in the competition. The Yellow Canaries stretched their unbeaten run to 10 matches on the weekend and currently occupy top spot in domestic action.
Batshuayi😍😍 pic.twitter.com/rLnlYHrXWn
— ultrax_crespo (@MEkincila) October 20, 2022
Goals-galore expected as Feyenoord host SK Strum Graz
Despite playing just 140 league minutes in the Eredivisie, no teammate has registered more shots or more shots on target than Santiago Gimenez. The Mexican international has netted three times in the Netherlands he and could have the Feyenoord faithful chanting his name this evening. Here’s a stat: there have been 20 goals scored in Feyenoord’s four UEL appearances this season – the most of any side in the competition this season. The Rotterdam side have found the net in their previous 13 outings across all competitions.
Santiago Giménez scores his first goal in Feyenoord with a classy finish 🔥pic.twitter.com/Mck76jxC2B
— MexNexGen (@MexNexGen2) August 27, 2022
