The best bets for Arsenal and Everton in the Europa League

Pre-season both Arsenal and Everton would have fancied themselves to go far in the Europa League.

But ahead of matchweek four of the group stage, things couldn’t be more contrasting for the two Premier League outfits.

Arsenal are set to cruise into the knockout stages, while Everton’s season could take yet another blow with an early European exit.

The Ladbrokes News Team are again on hand to run through the best bets for the duo’s latest fixtures…

Lyon v Everton

Defeat to Leicester City on Sunday piled the pressure on beleaguered Everton. And now they head into arguably their toughest fixture of the Europa League group stage.

The Toffees could be booted out of the tournament after just four games if they lose to Lyon and Atalanta beat Apollon Limassol.

And there’s a good chance they will lose in France. Lyon are unbeaten in seven games, and it’s a test of their ability that only Paris Saint-Germain have managed to beat them this season.

The hosts a good shout at 1/2 to end Everton’s Europa adventure.

And having scored 18 goals at home this season – coupled with the Merseysiders drawing a blank in four of their six on the road –  Lyon are worth serious consideration in the -1 handicap at 13/10.

Everton have been starting poorly too. The Toffees have conceded the first goal in five of their last six games, and haven’t kept a first half clean sheet in any of those fixtures.

So Lyon to be leading after 30 minutes could appeal at 17/10, while the hosts are 13/10 in the Half-Time/Full-Time.

Nabil Fekir netted in the 2-1 win at Goodison Park, and the French ace is now on 10 goals for the campaign after a brace versus Metz at the weekend.

The in-form striker is 13/10 to score anytime and 4/1 to net first.

Arsenal v Crvena Zvezda

While Everton have floundered on the continent, Arsenal have been doing just fine and can book their spot in the knockout stages with a win.

The Gunners have won all three games so far, and boss Arsene Wenger has used the competition to offer much-needed game-time to the likes of Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere.

There isn’t too much to get excited about in the 1/3 on a home win versus Crvena Zvezda.

But both BATE Borisov and FC Koln have netted past this youthful and largely untested Arsenal back-line. So backing a Gunners win and both teams to score offers much better value at 7/4.

Equally, Arsenal to win and over 3.5 goals is on at 7/4 too.

Giroud has been revelling in his European outings this season. The Frenchman has played every minute of the group stage, netting twice.

We make the former Montpellier man 13/5 favourite to score first, and 11/4 to score anytime.

Click here for all our Europa League odds.

All Odds and Markets correct as of the date of publication