The Europa League has increased to 36 teams and the format is significantly different. Ryan Benson has powered up the Opta supercomputer, which tells us that Porto are favourites (no mind that they are losing at the moment), Manchester United are sixth favourites because of how they tend to blow hot and cold and José Mourinho’s Fenerbahce is an outsider.
Geek out on what else the supercomputer has to say below.
Bolton may have slipped down the English pyramid, but back when they were in the top-flight, they used to be a bit of a bogey team for Arsenal. Stelios Giannakopoulos and Justin Hoyte share their memories of how Big Sam liked to spoil the Arsène Wenger party in the league.
That being said, they do have some fine moments against the Gunners in cup competitions as well.
Magical cup memories against The Gunners 🪄#bwfc pic.twitter.com/01FnItNkDP
— Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) September 25, 2024
The nine matches taking place in the Europa League today.
Hello, again 👋#UEL pic.twitter.com/BskdzvOU4R
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) September 25, 2024
Two of them are already under way. AZ Alkmaar are tied 2-2 with IF Elfsborg and Bodø/Glimt are leading Porto 3-1 despite playing with 10 men.
The rest will kick-off at 8pm BST. You can stay up to date with Manchester United v Twente alongside Rob Smyth in his minute-by-minute.
Liverpool XI: Kelleher, Bradley, Gomez, Quansah, Tsimikas, Endo, Jones, Chiesa, Gakpo, Jota; Núñez.
Chiesa starts for the first time since signing from Juventus in the summer. Núñez is given his second start in a row up front after scoring for the first time since March at the weekend.
The Reds to take on West Ham United 👊 #LIVWHU
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 25, 2024
West Ham XI: Fabianski, Coufal, Todibo, Kilman, Cresswell, Soucek, Álvarez, Soler, Bowen, Ings, Summerville
The Hammers have had a sluggish start to the season and will hope that tonight can be a turning point. Ings gets the nod against his former side alongside Bowen and Summerville, who both started on the weekend.
How we line up v Liverpool 👇 pic.twitter.com/XkfVssedSJ
— West Ham United (@WestHam) September 25, 2024
Referee: Andy Madley
Arsenal XI: Porter, Nichols, Kiwior, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Jorginho, Rice, Saka, Jesus, Sterling
Porter is Arsenal’s 16-year-old fourth choice keeper, who gets the nod, making him the youngest goalkeeper to start in Arsenal’s history. The first-choice Raya is being assessed after the league game against Manchester City, second-choice, Neto, is cup‑tied, having played for Bournemouth in round two while the third-choice, Tommy Setford, is injured.
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 25, 2024
🧤 Porter between the sticks
©️ Jorginho skippers the side
🆕 Sterling makes full debut
Let's seal our place in the next round, Gunners 💪 pic.twitter.com/4JaNpNMBeC
Bolton XI: Southwood, Dacres-Cogley, Forino, Santos, Toal, Williams, Sheehan, Dempsey, Arfield, McAtee, Collins
Quite a few changes from the side’s 5-2 win against Reading, which moved them up to 19th in League One.
🟢 Your Wanderers side to take on @Arsenal this evening!
— Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) September 25, 2024
Seven changes from Saturday's win 🔄
COYWM ✊#bwfc pic.twitter.com/DeWJNKb5Pl
Referee: Josh Smith
Hello and welcome to our live clockwatch of the pinnacle of English and European football in the Carabao Cup and the Europa League.
I jest, obviously, but silverware is silverware at the end of the day and I am sure that every team competing tonight (and their fans) would be delighted to get their hands on silverware at the end of the season.
Join me as I follow along with 7 matches for all the goals. And, as always, if you have any thoughts, predictions, questions, comments, complaints or recommendations, then you can send me an email.
Team news up next. Join me!
Arsenal v Bolton kick-off at 7.45pm BST; every other game at 8pm