Theo Walcott is congratulated
Theo Walcott is congratulated

Charlie Nicholas' predictions for this week's Europa League matches


Charlie Nicholas provides us with his latest round of Europa League predictions with Theo Walcott fancied to fire Arsenal to victory.

Charlie's former club Arsenal can book their place in the knockout stages with a victory over Crvena Zvezda, having collected maximum points to sit top of Group H.

Everton, in contrast, sit bottom of Group E with solitary point, meaning they need to win at Lyon to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Here's what Charlie is predicting for the two clashes...

Lyon v Everton (Thursday, 6pm)

Well the tough games just keep coming at Everton and I think this is just one they'll have to write off.

I just don't see any chance of David Unsworth getting this job, not because he's not decent, but because you need to win football matches to get the job and I just don't see where the goals or the clean sheets are coming from.

It's tough to know who he is going to play and he might as well throw a few more youngsters in here, leaving Wayne Rooney and company at home to get them ready for the weekend.

Memphis Depay is a show pony but these are the sort of games where he likes to show his ability, and I think Nabil Fekir and Mariano Diaz will give the Toffees a torrid night.

Charlie predicts: 2-0 Fekir to score first (22/1 with Sky Bet)

Arsene Wenger
Arsene Wenger

Arsenal v Crvena Zvezda (Thursday, 8.05pm)

Crvena Zvezda weren't bad in the reverse fixture and clearly have some talented youngsters in their ranks, but Arsenal have quality in depth.

It will largely be the kids mixed in with a few players looking to play their way into Arsene Wenger's thoughts for Super Sunday's clash with Manchester City.

It is awkward for Theo Walcott. I don't think Arsene Wenger trusts him and he isn't even getting off the bench in the Premier League now, so he really needs to consider his future.

I see another comfortable night even if Arsenal, even if the mass changes makes it more complicated than it would be otherwise.

Charlie predicts: 2-0 Walcott to score first (18/1 with Sky Bet)

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