UEFA Europa League Semi-Finals - Return Leg Preview

The Europa League is scheduled to resume play on Thursday, after two thrilling days of Champions League competition, the secondary tournament has lofty expectations to live up too.

Each Semi-Final match-up can swing either way, giving each fixture additional intrigue heading into the match day. We should expect each side to leave everything on the pitch, as they look to claim their spots in Lyon for the finale later this month.

20501 Atletico Madrid vs. 20502 Arsenal 

Wanda Metropolitano , Madrid, Spain

5-3-2018 - 3:05 pm ET

The Gunners travel to the grand Wanda Metropolitano for a shot at the finals, while a gritty Atletico Madrid side have plans of visiting Lyon themselves. 

Arsenal will enter Thursday's fixture with plenty of motivation, with their longtime manager Arsene Wenger stepping down at the of the campaign, after 22 years of high level success.

Arsene Wenger has been a constant on the sidelines with the Londoners, winning several Titles during his tenure with the club, he now looks to grab a final trophy to add to his legacy.

Wenger will have a strong starting eleven as he looks to accomplish his final goal, although Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is cup-tied for this event, he still has several key players returning from injury and rest, offering pure quality and depth while in Madrid.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Danny Welbeck and Mesut Özil will battle it out for the start in their creative Midfield roles. The Arsenal play-makers are accustomed to the big stage, and should not be swayed by the aggressive tactics that are sure to come from their opponents.

Alexandre Lacazette is set line to lead the Gunners again in their traditional 4-3-2-1 formation. The French-man scored what he thought was the winning goal last week, while also offering plenty other opportunities to hit the back of the net, with 18 Goals scored in all competitions, Lacazette's services are truly needed for the Gunners to advance.

Aaron Ramsey, Laurent Koscielny, Shkodran Mustafi and Nacho Monreal were all rested over the weekend against Manchester United. Wenger understands the importance of his back-lines players in this match, knowing the Spaniards are an aggressive side who will look to spring out on the counter attack at any given moment, the Gunners must be fresh and able to handle to impending pressure that is sure to come from Atleti.

The Londoners know that they need to score in order to have a chance in this contest, expect the Gunners to create several shots on goal as they are full of quality within their front-line players. 

Arsenal have been clinical during their European travels, scoring an average of 2 Goals per match, in their six Europa League away fixtures.

The Gunners have been surprisingly strong away from the Emirates, conceding 0.8 Goals per match, in their last six Europa League away fixtures.

Atletico Madrid enter this Semi-Finals match in full control, after leaving London with a 1-1 result, the Madrid side sit in the drivers seat to progress to Lyon later on in the month.

Diego Simeone lived up to his fierce reputation at the Emirates last week, getting tossed off the sidelines in the first half, the Argentine was forced to watch the remainder of the first leg from the stands. Simeone will know he needs to be on his best behavior Thursday, as the UEFA officials will certainly have a close eye on the passionate manager. 

Atleti are also in line to field their strongest possible line-up, with Antoine Griezmann, José Giménez, Jan Oblak and Saúl Ñíguez all given the weekend off, the home side will certainly fell confident they have the players to get a positive result.

Diego Costa is set to make his return to European competition, after being injured the Spanish International is ready to help lead the line for 'Los Rojiblancos'. Costa is highly effective at finishing the final product, and will certainly look forward to facing his old foes, as the former Chelsea man is very familiar with Arsenal during his time in the EPL.

Antoine Griezmann will once again look to come up big against this Arsenal side, the French tally's man broke the Gunners spirits with his goal in the final ten minutes of last weeks match.  Griezmann will be partnered with Costa in Atletico's patented 4-4-2 formation, giving the home side constant threats to place the ball in the back of the net.

Jan Oblak may possibly be the most important player Atletico's starting eleven, the talented net minder has continued to be one of the best goal keepers in La Liga, and the world. Oblak will certainly see his fair share of shots on target Thursday, as Arsenal offer plenty of quality to break down opposing defenses, giving him a great responsibility to keep the Gunners off the score-sheet while in Madrid.

The home side are known for being physical with their opponents, using their aggression to create turnovers, which lead to quick counter attacking strikes.
This method of play proved positive for Atleti last week, even with ten men they were still able to cause havoc, and eventually get out in the open field and place the ball in the back of the net. 

Atletico Madrid have treated their home fans to positive results while at the Wanda Metropolitano, scoring an average of 3 Goals per match, in their last three Europa League home fixtures. 

Los Rojiblancos have been a impenetrable wall while on their own pitch, failing to concede a goal during their last three Europa League home fixtures.

Prediction:

Atletico Madrid will certainly use their rapid home atmosphere to their advantage, after proving they could play with Arsenal having only ten men for almost the entirety of the first leg, the home side should feel confident they can finish off the Londoners with all eleven participants on Thursday.

Arsenal will attempt to give the Spaniards their first home defeat in Europa League action, but the Gunners must improve on their recent road woes, as the Londoners have only won 2 of the last 12 away matches in all competitions. 

Expect Atleti to come out looking to impose their will early in this fixture, as the first 15-20 minutes should see the home side full of life, using their aggressive nature to make life extremely difficult on the Gunners.

Atletico have everything working in their favor during this return leg event, as they look prime to score 2 plus goals, and finish off their London guests in route to yet another European final during Simeone's reign. 

Tips:

Atletico Madrid  -0.25  -110 / 1.91 - 1st Half Spread

Atletico Madrid  -0.75  -105 / 1.95 - Full Time Spread

Atletico Madrid  - Team Total Over  1.5  -110 / 1.91 - Goals 

*Europa League - Bonus Tips*

20504 Red Bull Salzburg vs. 20505 Marseille 

Red Bull Arena,  Wals-Siezenheim, Austria

5-3-2018 - 3:05 pm ET 

Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals  -105 / 1.95 

Red Bull Salzburg - Team Total Over 1.5  -110 / 1.91 - Goals

Best Of Luck To All