Charlie Nicholas' Europa League predictions for Manchester United, Arsenal, Wolves, Celtic and Rangers
Soccer Saturday pundit Charlie Nicholas gives us his Europa League predictions for the five games involving British clubs.
Standard Liege v Arsenal (1755 GMT kick-off)
Charlie says:
"I don’t, for the life of me, know where Arsenal’s next result is going to come from.
"It has festered into the strikers and now they are affected. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette have scored a few, which is the only hope we have got.
"Nicolas Pepe looked brighter against Brighton but he is still not showing enough. The job is done, so you want to get over there and give the youngsters another go. Arsenal have to build momentum as we do not know how long Freddie Ljungberg is going to be in charge.
"He asked them to play with enjoyment but you do not enjoy losing and this is the reality. It is taking its toll on the youngsters and front players, they are arguing between themselves and Aubameyang was poor and should have been taken off against Brighton.
"I think they will get a 2-2 draw but I do not see where the next win is coming from."
Charlie's prediction: Standard Liege 2-2 Arsenal (11/1 with Sky Bet)
Manchester United v AZ Alkmaar (2000 GMT kick-off)
Charlie says:
"The job is done, and what a week it has been for Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer. The pressure is building from outside the club, but Solskjaer handles it well. He has not been snappy at the journalists but it is what it is.
"He got two gigantic wins against Tottenham and Manchester City. I think he will want the momentum and get over that hurdle which says, have they turned the corner? With two wins, with AZ Alkmaar to come, they have the opportunity to continue this mini little run, so I think they will win comfortably."
Charlie's prediction: Manchester United 2-0 AZ Alkmaar (8/1 with Sky Bet)
Wolves v Besiktas (2000 GMT kick-off)
Charlie says:
"I think it is 11 unbeaten in the Premier League now, and they have put themselves in a lovely place, both in the Premier League and Europa League, so they are embracing it and understanding it now.
"Besiktas used to be one of these awkward sides, but they have dropped a level or two in previous seasons. They will park the bus and Wolves struggle with this, but I only see a home win despite that."
Charlie's prediction: Wolves 2-0 Besiktas (6/1 with Sky Bet)
CFR Cluj v Celtic (1755 GMT kick-off)
Charlie says:
"Last time I went against Celtic at Lazio, they scored a late winner. They got their 10th straight domestic trophy at the weekend - they were on their knees with exhaustion and tiredness, but they have been playing so many games.
"Cluj need to win to qualify with Celtic. They lost the last time they went there and I expect the same to happen again.
"Neil Lennon will make five or six changes, as the job is done and needs more focus domestically. It has been an inspiring group stage for them, but I see them losing here."
Charlie's prediction: CFR Cluj 1-0 Celtic (11/2 with Sky Bet)
Rangers v Young Boys (2000 GMT kick-off)
Charlie says:
"This group is wide open, Rangers just need to win - anything can happen here. It was another defeat against Celtic in the League Cup final, when they dominated and controlled the game, but just couldn’t put the ball in the net.
"Ibrox will be alight with energy, it will not be hard to pick them up. When you get an opportunity like this, you must not pass it up, and Rangers will not. They will be well pushed with desire and Steven Gerrard will get the final out of their system in this one."
Charlie's prediction: Rangers 3-1 Young Boys (12/1 with Sky Bet)
Odds correct as of 1600 GMT on 09/12/19
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- Latest Europa League odds
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- Europa League draw details
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