As with the Champions League, we saw the two remaining heavyweights drawn against each other in the Europa League semifinals last Friday. Arsenal and Atletico Madrid were the two big favorites to hoist the Europa League Championship, but one of the two will not make it to the final. Atletico is the favorite to take down the tournament now and get the advantage of hosting the second leg.
In the other semifinal, Red Bull Salzburg will take on Olympique Marseille. This is the furthest Marseille has gotten in the Europa League in 14 years, while Red Bull Salzburg has only been this close once before. Whoever wins that tie will likely be a hefty underdog in the final, but if Marseille advances it will have the benefit of playing on French soil.
Don't miss the Europa League Semifinals action this Thursday on April 26, at 3:05 p.m. ET. Arsenal will host Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium with the match being broadcast in the United States on FS1, while Marseille will host Red Bull Salzburg at the Stade Velodrome with the match being broadcast on FS2. Check out all the action this week at BookMaker.
Europa League Semifinals First Leg Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Atletico Madrid +187
Arsenal +155
Draw +223
Over/Under 2 and 2.5
Winning the Europa League is certainly important to each of the four remaining teams, but you can argue that it would mean the most to Arsenal. Long-time head coach Arsene Wenger is stepping down after more than two decades as the man in charge of the Gunners at the end of the year and winning the Europa League on his way out would be a fitting end.
There aren’t just sentimental reasons behind the Europa League meaning more to Arsenal than other teams though. While the three other teams are likely to qualify, or already have, for some stage of next year’s Champions League, Arsenal needs to win the Europa League in order to have a place at the table.
On Monday, Atletico announced that it will not have Juanfran available for either leg of this tie. Not having the right back in the lineup is a blow, as he has been a steadying force at the back for one of the top defenses in all of Europe. Forward Diego Costa is considered doubtful to play as well. That will put the pressure on Antoine Griezmann to carry the load on offense.
Arsenal is dealing with some crucial injuries too. Both of their creative playmakers might be out for the first leg of this tie, as Henrikh Mkhitaryan has already been ruled out and Mesut Ozil is considered questionable. Additionally, Jack Wilshere may not be available either.
If Ozil does not play, I really like Atletico Madrid and the under. Goalkeeper Jan Oblak is already very tough to beat and Arsenal is going to struggle to score without their best playmaking options.
Red Bull Salzburg +415
Olympique Marseille -158
Draw +311
Over/Under 3
Marseille saw off Red Bull Leipzig in the Europa League Quarterfinals and will look to dispatch of their sister club Red Bull Salzburg in order to make the finals. However, these two clubs were matched against each other in the Group Stage and Salzburg drew Marseille 0-0 on the road and defeated the club 1-0 at home.
Oddsmakers have Marseille as a heavy favorite at home, but the club will have one of their stars missing for both legs. Defender Hiroki Sakai injured his knee over the weekend and will be gone for at least three weeks. Not having him is a huge loss.
Salzburg has been underestimated throughout the tournament, but this team’s young guns have shown they can play. They won the U-19 UEFA Youth League last year and a few of the stars from that team are now in the lineup. They have a great chance to get a result on the road.
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