Everton’s Lucas Digne, behind, and Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil battle for the ball during their English Premier League soccer match on April 7, 2019.
Everton’s Lucas Digne, behind, and Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil battle for the ball during their English Premier League soccer match on April 7, 2019. Peter Byrne | PA via Associated Press
Soccer

Miller picks Quarterfinal matches of the UEFA Europa League - Arsenal v Napoli, Benfica v Eintracht Frankfurt, & Slavia Prague v Chelsea

Sean Miller

London is known for its distinct double-decker buses.

Thursday, two London sides will hope to pull off their own double, on the way toward what they hope is a date in Baku, Azerbaijan May 29.

With the first legs of the UEFA Champions League out of the way, Thursday brings the quarterfinal matches of the UEFA Europa League, and there are some very interesting games.

In the glamour two-legged affair, Arsenal will host Napoli. The two teams are some of the biggest in Europe, and will both think they can win the competition if they can get through this round.

The Gunners need to lay down a marker in the first leg, especially after they looked so poor Sunday at Everton. Napoli will be a tough test.

Tournament favorites Chelsea head to the Czech Republic to take on Slavia Prague, and the Blues are in great form, after some dodgy results that saw the fans turn against Maurizio Sarri. But the wins (plus the clean sheets) have been flowing, and if Chelsea can get any kind of result Thursday, it will be heavily favored to advance into the semifinal after next Thursday’s return leg.

Will it be a London double?

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE

Arsenal (+125) vs.  Napoli (+220), draw (+240) , 3 p.m. (B/R Live)
THE PICK:
Both teams to score yes (-166)

Benfica (+125) vs. Eintracht Frankfurt (+220), draw (+230), 3 p.m. (B/R Live)
THE PICKS:

Both teams to score yes (-148)
Eintracht Frankfurt double chance win and draw (-150)

Slavia Prague (+390) vs.  Chelsea (-120), draw (+230), 3 p.m. (B/R live)
THE PICK:
Chelsea ML (-120)

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