Desh Parthab looks forward to this evening’s Europa League fixtures by highlighting five players who could steal the headlines including Lazio’s Milinkovic-Savic and Arsenal’s Marquinhos.
Real Betis came from a goal down to claim all three points in the Italian capital against Roma. The Spanish outfit are very much in control of Group C and a win tonight will see them progress from the group stages.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side won all four of their home league outings, conceding just a single goal during that period.
Like Betis, Manchester United came from a goal down to beat Omonoia 3-2. The Red Devils conjured up 28 efforts throughout their 90, with Cristiano Ronaldo responsible for eight of those.
Union Saint-Gilloise – formerly home to Percy Tau – come into this round of fixtures with an unblemished record (P3 W3), as they continue to impress in their UEFA competition debut. The Belgian outfit know how to find the back of the net, scoring two or more goals in each of their previous five appearances, across all competitions.
Group H has delivered 19 goals thus far, but it is table toppers AS Monaco (4) who have netted the fewest from that quartet. The Monegasques come into this one on the back of five straight wins in Ligue 1, conceding just twice in that run.
Thursday’s Europa League action promises to provide some upsets and here are my picks to perform ahead of the curve!
Tsygankov tipped to star for Dynamo Kyiv
Dynamo Kyiv are rooted to the bottom of Group B. Despite this, Viktor Tsygankov is my pick of the lot to shine tonight. The 24-year-old has netted three goals and supplied an assist across his previous six appearances across all competitions. The wideman has netted both of his club’s goals in the European competition thus far. Definitely one to keep an eye on tonight.
Trezeguet yet to get going after the international break
Mahmoud Trezeguet returned three goals and an assist across his previous five fixtures in all competitions before the international break. Since his return to Trabzonspor, he is yet to provide an attacking return. The Egypt international has since attempted six shots and created six chances. The forward will look to get on the scoresheet this evening as the Turkish outfit host AS Monaco.
📰 Congratulations to Djaniny 🇨🇻 , Mahmoud Trezeguet 🇪🇬 , Jean Kouassi 🇨🇮 and Bengali-Fode Koita 🇬🇳 , Winners of the Turkish Super Cup with Trabzonspor.
— TOFFIC 👑 (@TofficKagawa) August 1, 2022
#Djaniny #CaboVerde #Trezeguet #Egypt #Kouassi #CotedIvoire #Koita #Guinee pic.twitter.com/m6YEaedZXL
Marquinhos staking Arsenal claim with Europa League form
Marquinhos (G1 A1) has been involved in two goals in his 2 UEL appearances for the Gunners. The Arsenal forward has attempted 8 crosses, created five chances and attempted four shots in his 128 competition minutes thus far. Should the Londoners secure the three points in Scandanavia, Arteta’s men will book their spot in the knockout rounds of the competition with plenty of room to spare. That will surely be the objective tonight as Arsenal look to maintain their domestic title charge.
🇧🇷 Dream Arsenal debut for 19-year-old Marquinhos 🥰@Arsenal | #UEL pic.twitter.com/OdjmsLSsLm
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) September 28, 2022
Milinkovic-Savic’s form attracting some of Europe’s biggest names
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has been irrepressible of late. Across his previous three league appearances, the midfielder has returned three goals and three assists. During that period, he attempted five shots (hitting the woodwork once) and created five chances. The Biancocelesti have netted four or more goals in each of their previous three league appearances, which came after a four-goal haul on home soil on MD1 of the UEL. His form has the likes of Manchester United and Juventus sniffing around. Expect another big performance tonight from the Lazio star.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is the complete midfielder. A box-to-box midfielder with every attribute you'd want. It's difficult to press him.
— Jerry Mancini (@jmancini8) October 6, 2022
He’s continued where he left off last season as he been phenomenal this campaign.
4 goals & 5 assists in 10 games 🔥pic.twitter.com/pFfVn20Cvh
Owusu Kwabena the star man for Qarabag
Following an opening day loss, Qarabag have won their subsequent two Europa League games 3-0. Owusu Kwabena (G2 A1) has done a stellar job leading the line for the Azerbaijani club in Europe. The forward has attempted 11 shots, with eight of them being on target. Furthermore, he has created three chances for his side in the tournament this season. Qarabag have been sensational this season, winning each of their eight league outings and another big European win on home soil could be on the cards this evening.
Very little is heard about Kwabena Owusu after Afcon 2019 but he's been scoring some nice goals this year.
— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) November 7, 2021
For Qarabag and now Anakagucu in Turkey pic.twitter.com/JUQDnY7ALt
