Arsenal vs Qarabag LIVE – Europa League preview, prediction, odds, how to watch on TV and stream online

Follow live coverage of Arsenal's final Europa League group match

Arsenal: A look back at 2018

Arsenal will play a second-string side against Qarabag this evening in their final group match, with Europa League qualification and top place in the group already secured.

Club captain Laurent Koscielny could make his first start for the Gunners since May having recovered from a ruptured Achilles. Unai Emery will leave it late to decide whether Mesut Ozil is fit enough to feature following his return to training after recovering from a back injury.

Emile Smith-Rowe is likely to continue his fine run in the Europa League and Aaron Ramsey is set to return to the side. Follow all the live action below:

When is it?

Arsenal vs Qarabag kicks-off at 8:00pm at the Emirates

Where to watch?

BT Sport will be showing live coverage on BT Sport 2 from 8:00. BT Sport customers can stream the live action online on the BT Sport website and app.

Odds

Arsenal to win:

Qarabag to win:

Draw:

Prediction

Arsenal 2-0 Qarabag: Emery will field a team of youngsters and they will do just enough to comfortably beat their opponents.

Key Points

• Arsenal XI: Martinez; Jenkinson, Sokratis, Koscielny, Maitland-Niles; Elneny, Willock; Nketiah, Ozil, Saka, Lacazette​
• Bench: Iliev, Medley, Monreal, Gilmour, Guendouzi, Mkhitaryan, John-Jules

[13 December 2018 15:33 · Jack Watson]

Welcome!

Good evening and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of tonight's Europa League action. Chelsea are in Hungary to play Mol Vidi, and Arsenal host Qarabag.

First up is Vidi vs Chelsea and we will bring you the latest build-up, starting with team news from around 4:45pm GMT.

[13 December 2018 15:53 · Jack Watson]

Sarri speaks out on alleged Sterling racism

The police and Chelsea have launched an investigation into the alleged racist abuse Sterling received at Stamford Bridge

[13 December 2018 16:36 · Jack Watson]

Team news

Chelsea team to play Vidi: Caballero; Zappacosta, Ampadu, Christensen, Emerson; Loftus-Cheek, Fabregas, Barkley; Willian, Morata, Hudson-Odoi.

Bench: Cumming, Alonso, Jorginho, Pedro, Giroud, Luiz, McEachran.

[13 December 2018 17:20 · Callum Rice-Coates]

It's a much-changed side for Chelsea, then. They travel to Hungary with first place in Group L already secured, so it's a chance for some fringe players and youngsters to get a run out.

For the hosts, though, there's still plenty to play for. Vidi are level on points with BATE Borisov and can still qualify for the knockout stages. But their manager, Marko Nikolic, is not expecting to stroll past a weakened Chelsea side. "Their so-called 'B' team would be champions in several leagues around the world," he has said. "I feel that a point would be something great."

[13 December 2018 17:35 · Callum Rice-Coates]

  ↵Chelsea's players are out to warm up. A few of them will, no doubt, be determined to impress tonight. It's an opportunity to stake a claim for a place in the side for more important games to come.

[13 December 2018 17:49 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Tonight will be Ethan Ampadu's first start for Chelsea this season. The Welsh youngster has been playing more regularly at international level, but he's got a chance to prove himself this evening.

There's also a first involvement in the Chelsea first team for George McEachran, brother of Josh. He starts on the bench.

[13 December 2018 17:55 · Callum Rice-Coates]

The teams are out in the mist, ready to kick off. It looks a cold night in Hungary, but that hasn't stopped the fans turning out in their numbers. This is a big game for Vidi.

[13 December 2018 17:57 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Chelsea get us underway! ​Can their second string see off Vidi?

[13 December 2018 17:59 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Vidi 0-0 Chelsea

2 minutes

Chelsea are immediately on the front foot, moving the ball around quickly. Vidi are content to sit back and try to frustrate them, although that might be a difficult strategy to pull off for 90 minutes.

[13 December 2018 18:01 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Vidi 0-0 Chelsea

3 minutes

Fabregas attempts a lofted through ball into the path of Loftus-Cheek, who made a run behind the Vidi defence. He's just offside, though.