The Europa League returns to our screens this evening! Desh Parthab highlights five teams to keep an eye on including Free-scoring Freiburg and Arteta’s Arsenal.
Free-scoring Freiburg do battle against a Nantes side who have shipped 3+ goals in 3 of their previous four outings, across all competitions. Arteta’s Arsenal seems to be firing on all cylinders and followed their 3-nil win against Brentford with a 3-1 victory in the NLD against arch-rivals Tottenham, on the weekend.
Real Betis and AS Roma go head to head in what is my pick of the night. The Giallorossi appear to lack the finishing touch – netting 7 times across their previous 4 outings, across all competitions. Indeed, a toothless performance, considering Mourinho’s men played against 10 men in half of those fixtures.
They are up against a Real Betis side who come into this one in the top 4 on the La Liga standings. Here are a few players who could rise to the top in tonight’s UEL fixtures!
Michael Gregoritsch
Michael Gregoritsch has returned two goals across his previous three club appearances, across all competitions. During that period, the Austrian attempted 16 shots, missing 1 big chance and hitting the woodwork twice.
Freiburg are mounting a serious challenge in the Bundesliga and currently occupies the second spot (purely on goal difference) with a 5-2-1 record.
The 28-year-old has netted four times in the German first division – a feat only bettered by 4 players in the topflight.
3⃣ goals in his last 3 club games.
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) October 5, 2022
🇦🇹 Freiburg's Michael Gregoritsch is dominating 💪@scfreiburg | #UEL pic.twitter.com/pQMKfHKfS6
Real Betis
Following his brace in Real Betis’ 2-0 win over HJK Helsinki on MD1, Willian Jose has now netted nine goals in his previous 11 starts in the Europa League competition (across spells with Real Sociedad and Real Betis).
Despite making four appearances in the Spanish top flight, the forward has less than 100 league minutes under his belt for this season. It comes as no surprise that he is yet to open his account in La Liga, but seems to have no issue in European competition.
Indeed, Los Verdiblancos saw their four successive wins (in all competitions) snapped on the weekend, but a strong reaction can be expected from Manuel Pellegrini’s men.
A stunning save by Padt ✅
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) October 4, 2022
A brave finish by Luiz Henrique ✅@RealBetis | #UEL pic.twitter.com/69XmVKizTH
Paulo Dybala
Paulo Dybala’s shock transfer to rivals AS Roma from Juventus may have flown under the radar, but La Joya has certainly been making the headlines. The Argentine has bagged four league goals and followed that up with two assists across his seven league appearances.
He has opened his account in the UEL already, slotting home on matchday two and could follow that up with another in this one. Mourinho will need his star midfielder as the Italian club take on Spanish outfit Real Betis, with top spot up for grabs.
📊-
— HQ PHOTOS | 🇦🇷 (@ARG_HQ) October 1, 2022
Paulo Dybala in the last 6 games with Roma:
👕| 6 Games.
⚽️| 5 Goals.
🅰️| 1 Assist.
💎 pic.twitter.com/DDwiavPtFa
Ciro Immobile
Whilst he has not found the back of the European net this season, Ciro Immobile is still providing attacking returns for Lazio.
Across his previous five outings, the veteran striker has returned three goals from 13 shots, missing 1 penalty and two big chances in that spell. Furthermore, he delivered three assists from a whopping 10 chances created, during that period.
Lazio come into this one with back-to-back four nil victories and takes on a Strum Graz side who shipped six goals on week 2.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic 50th goal in Serie A 💙🦅
— Jerry Mancini (@jmancini8) October 3, 2022
The determination and patience by Ciro Immobile 🔥🔥
The passing, movement and awareness was brilliant by Lazio.
pic.twitter.com/yG8H5IFOoh
FC Nantes
Despite finding themselves just above the relegation zone in Ligue 1, Nantes does have some heavy hitters in their team. Ludovic Blas has attempted 25 shots in the French league – the most from all topflight midfielders.
The midfield maestro has turned provider in the UEL, returning two assists from his seven chances created in the competition.
The French side are in a horrible run of form and finds themselves on a 4-match-winless run, across all competitions.
💛💚@FCNantes on arrive en force ! 🤜🤛 pic.twitter.com/xt5WreH11l
— ZEbet 🔞 (@ZEbetFr) October 6, 2022
