Chelsea vs Arsenal: talkSPORT writers predict who will win the Europa League final

Chelsea vs Arsenal: talkSPORT writers predict who will win the Europa League final
Chelsea and Arsenal make the 2,800-mile trip to Azerbaijan to battle it out for the Europa League final on Wednesday night.The Baku showpiece offers a route into next season’s Champions League for the Gunners – and both managers will be hoping to end mixed debut seasons in England with a trophy.GETTY4

Who will be victorious in Baku?

The final takes place against a backdrop of controversy, with UEFA’s decision to host the final in Baku heavily scrutinised.Armenia international Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not travel to Azerbaijan due to fear over his safety, while thousands of tickets have been returned by both clubs due to the cost and logistics involved in the trip.It promises to be an unusual occasion, with so few supporters in attendance, but so much remains at stake. Chelsea have absentees of their own, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Antonio Rudiger all injured – and N’Golo Kante also looks set to miss out.With all that said, our writers have made their predictions…Sean O’Brien – ArsenalChelsea are missing, arguably, their three best players behind Eden Hazard. Rudiger will prove a particularly big miss against the pace of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.Kante and Loftus-Cheek are the only midfielders who provide any sort of direct thrust – and the Blues risk losing the midfield battle without them.Sarri’s side have a tendency to start slowly, and they also have less motivation than their opponents. Expect Emery’s men to race out of the blocks and grab an early goal.GETTY4

Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could have too much for Chelsea

Joe Moore – ChelseaChelsea are extremely annoying. This is known. Even if their form is terrible, their key players playing badly and their manager is burning under the spotlight, they still find a way to win.I reckon they will here, too. Arsenal have greatly improved under Unai Emery this season, but their defence is still not up to scratch.Aubameyang and Lacazette may have something to say about it, but Chelsea may just edge this one.Joe Coleman – ArsenalDespite reaching two cup finals and securing a quite incredulous third-place finish in the Premier League, Maurizio Sarris job is somehow under threat.The job he has done at Stamford Bridge seems to be completely unappreciated by the fans and the board and it is likely this will be both Eden Hazard and the Italians last game.With such a sombre mood surrounding the Blues, expect to see Europa League specialist Unai Emery weave his magic in Baku once again.GETTY4

Will this be a swan song for Hazard at Chelsea?

Josh Fordham – ChelseaThe better of the two teams over the course of the season.Eden Hazard will make the difference in what is likely to be his last game in a Blue shirt.Jackson Cole – ArsenalI’m going for Arsenal to triumph in Baku especially because manager Unai Emery is the Europa League specialist (winning it three years running as Sevilla boss).Meanwhile, for all his good points, Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri doesn’t actually have a winners’ medal in his entire career in football apart from individual accolades.Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette have been pure flames at points this season and Chelsea’s limited defence can be got at by the strikers.N’Golo Kante’s possible absence could be crucial but if Eden Hazard is at his free-flowing best on what is likely to be his farewell Blues appearance, then my prediction of an Arsenal win will probably be wrong!Getty4

N’Golo Kante is a doubt for Chelsea

Oliver Dawney – ChelseaThe Blues in Baku have already secured Champions League football and I believe that will work in their favour.Expect Hazard to dazzle in his last game for the club and be instrumental in the victory.Daniel Sandford – ArsenalArsenal’s strike force will be too much for Chelsea. The pressure is off for the Blues after they finished third in the Premier League.

---

Manchester City 3 Arsenal 1 as Sergio Aguero scores controversial hat-trick - 5 talking points. The striker appeared to score with his hand but the home side dominated their Premier League rivals.
Aguero hat-trick fires Man City to 3-1 win over Arsenal - The

---

Morata actually scores a 1v1 in the 90th minute of the Madrid Derby to end their title hopes in the final game of the season. He was offside though but didn't matter the ref's actually a Chelsea fan whose pissed Hazard went to Real.

---

What does the UEFA Nations League trophy look like? The

---

Clarke Carlisle calls for Gordon Taylor to quit PFA despite admitting he'd be dead without his help Ex-chairman accused under-fire Taylor of a lack of "transparent governance" and is now backing
Clarke Carlisle calls for Gordon Taylor to quit PFA despite

---

Matchday atmosphere A select number of guests were treated to a sound demonstration of Duel of the Fates - the club's pre-match music - while pictures also show the impressive interior of the new ground This is a glimpse into what Tottenham fans can expect on matchdays at their new stadium. talkSPORT.com understands Daniel Levy,…
Tottenham new stadium update: Spurs agree deal to use Wembley

---

Women's World Cup 2019: England can beat any team in the world, claims Sue Smith The former Leeds striker says the Lionesses no longer fear the big nations such as Germany or the USA EXCLUSIVE
Women's World Cup 2019: England can beat any team in the

---

Unai Emery has brought the feel-good factor back to Arsenal, claims Gunners legend Nigel Winterburn The former defender believes there was a lot of negativity surrounding the club last season
Unai Emery has brought the feel-good factor back to Arsenal

---

Daniel James will undergo a medical with Manchester United on Thursday ahead of his £18m move from Swansea, Sky Sports News understands. United are close to completing a deal for the 21-year-old
Daniel James to undergo Manchester United medical TODAY ahead

---

Tottenham have loaned winger Georges-Kevin N'Koudou to Monaco until the rest of the season. N'Koudou has struggled to find regular football at Spurs since joining for £9m in August 2016, and
Georges-Kevin N'Koudou Leaves Tottenham, Joins Monaco on Loan

---

dig The Belgian has denied a power swing in favour of the north London club after the opening of their £1billion arena Eden Hazard has directed a thinly-veiled swipe at Tottenham Hotspur, saying they may have a new stadium but they do not boast any silverware like Chelsea do.
Eden Hazard: Spurs have a new stadium but Chelsea have won

---

Apr 10, 2019 · Championship roundup: Norwich and Sheffield United draw after losing leads Sheffield United • Aston Villa game at Rotherham features missed the chance to climb back into the Championship
Championship round-up: Leeds move above Sheffield United into

---

Celtic hero John Hartson thanks Vincent Kompany for saying him and Henrik Larsson were toughest duo he's faced Manchester City captain Kompany said: "I've faced many, many great strikers
Who will replace Vincent Kompany as Manchester City captain

---

Apr 15, 2019 · All four of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal ties are set up perfectly for the second legs on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, with one game tied, two teams having 1-0 leads and a 2-0 lead.
UEFA Champions League - Liverpool-Barcelona - Liverpool v

---

View the latest Premier League tables, form guides and season archives, on the official website of the Premier League.

---

Pep Guardiola admits he feared title race was over after

---