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Chelsea Open Favorites Over Arsenal in 2019 Europa League Final

John Dillon

by John Dillon in Soccer News

Updated Apr 6, 2020 · 3:36 PM PDT

Eden Hazard of Chelsea
Eden Hazard scored the deciding penalty kick yesterday to send Chelsea into an all-England Europa League final. Photo By Aleksandr Osipov (Flickr) [CC License]
  • Derby Battle of London in faraway Baku
  • Blues won UEL final against Benfica in 2013
  • Gunners’ last Euro triumph 29 years ago

Chelsea have emerged as the early favorites to win the London derby final of the Europa League against Arsenal in Baku, Azerbaijan on Wednesday, May 29, 3:00 pm EST.

As previous winners of the competition six years ago, Chelsea are rated at -140.

Chelsea vs Arsenal UEL Final Odds

Team Odds
Chelsea -140
Arsenal +110

*Odds taken at 05/10/2019

Arsenal, who have not won a European competition since 1994, are priced at +110.

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It is Arsenal who offer the more worthwhile prospect. Their Spanish manager, Unai Emery, has won the Europa League three times before while in charge of Seville.

The Gunners also have the extra motivation of needing to win the final to secure a place in next season’s Champions League.

By contrast, Chelsea’s Italian coach, Maurizio Sarri, has never won a trophy.

The Gunners  also have the extra motivation of needing to win the final to secure a place in next season’s Champions League.

Chelsea Assured of UCL Place

They are in fifth position heading into Sunday’s final round of the EPL. The top four are handed qualification for the Champions League. Chelsea, who are third, are already assured of their place.

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Neither team has been in particularly impressive domestic form.

But Arsenal were the more imposing winners in the Europa League semifinals.

They defeated Valencia 3-1 at home. They then won 4-2 away, with striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring a hat-trick.

Chelsea required a penalty shoot-out to get past Eintracht Frankfurt. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Germany, the score was again 1-1 after extra-time at Stamford Bridge.

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The London side won the spot-kick decider 4-3 with star playmaker Eden Hazard firing home the decisive penalty.

Struggling EPL Form

Before their home 3-0 defeat of Watford in their last EPL outing, Chelsea had drawn with Burnley and Manchester United and lost at Liverpool.

They have been fortunate to claim third place. Their rivals for the third and fourth spot – Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United –  all suffered major dips in form in the league.

English clubs are dominating this season’s European competitions. The Champions League final will be between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in Madrid on June 1

Arsenal’s most recent EPL result was an unimpressive 1-1 draw at home against Brighton and Hove Albion.

Before that, they suffered a run of three damaging defeats against Leicester City, Wolves and Crystal Palace.

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English clubs are dominating this season’s European competitions. The Champions League final will be between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in Madrid on June 1.

Venue is 2,467 Miles From London

This is the first time both European finals have featured clubs from only one nation.

Arsenal and Chelsea supporters face a journey of 2,467 miles to the stadium in Baku – while the two clubs are only eight miles apart in London.

Amsterdam was the host when Chelsea won the Europa League final against Benfica in 2013.

They won the Champions League the previous year and were also beaten finalists in 2008.

In continental competition, they also won the now defunct European Cup Winners Cup in 1971 and 1998.

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Arsenal won the same competition in 1994. But they were beaten finalists in 1980 and 1995.

They won the now defunct Fairs Cup in 1970 but lost in the final of its successor tournament, the UEFA Cup, in 2000.

Barcelona defeated them in the final of the Champions League in 2006.

Pick: Arsenal +110

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