Yulian Todorov of Ludogorets Razgrad on August 17, 2024© Imago
Looking to convert their stellar domestic form onto the continental stage, Ludogorets Razgrad will welcome AZ Alkmaar to Huvepharma Arena on Thursday night for a Europa League clash.
The Eagles have failed to realise their potential in this competition during the opening five battles, whilst De Kaasboeren are making steady strides towards the knockout stages in February.
We say: Ludogorets Razgrad 1-0 AZ Alkmaar
Securing a share of the spoils at Lazio last time out in the Europa League, Ludogorets should fancy their chances of recording their maiden win of the League Phase at home on Thursday night.
AZ Alkmaar come into this clash in good form, although we feel that a hostile atmosphere at Huvepharma Arena could tip the balance and lead to a narrow defeat for De Kaasboeren.
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Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray on November 10, 2024© Imago
Aiming to conquer one of the favourites to win the competition, Malmo will host Turkish giants Galatasaray at Eleda Stadion for a Europa League battle on Thursday evening.
Di Blae have already wrapped up their domestic crown in 2024 but continue to struggle in Europe, whilst Cimbom are on their way to a success-laden campaign on all fronts.
We say: Malmo 0-2 Galatasaray
Despite their dominance of the Allsvenskan this season, Malmo become the underdogs once they step onto the continental stage, and Thursday night's clash will be no different.
Galatasaray are approaching 18 matches without defeat across all competitions, and it is hard to imagine anything other than a Cimbom success at Eleda Stadion.
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Olympiacos forward Ayoub El Kaabi celebrates scoring on November 24, 2024© Imago
Striving to make it 10 matches unbeaten across all competitions, Conference League holders Olympiacos will host struggling FC Twente at Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis on Thursday night in the Europa League.
Thrylos have made an excellent start on their quest to lift continental honours in back-to-back campaigns, whereas the Tukkers are at danger of suffering a premature elimination from this competition.
We say: Olympiacos 3-0 FC Twente
Close to reaching the double-digit mark on their unbeaten track, Olympiacos should be full of confidence and ready to put Twente to the sword on Thursday night.
The Tukkers were blown away by PSV on the road last week, and we feel that a similar narrative could be fitting for the Dutch side in Piraeus.
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Kiril Despodov in action for PAOK on November 10, 2024© Imago
PAOK aim to move into the Europa League qualification playoff spots when they host Ferencvaros in Thursday's matchday six encounter at Toumba Stadium.
The 27th-placed Greek giants are three places and a sole point outside the playoff spots, but they must overcome an opponent on a three-match winning run in Europe's second-tier club competition.
We say: PAOK 2-1 Ferencvaros
Despite an awful sequence of results in the first five matchdays, PAOK enter Thursday's match in fine goalscoring form, standing them in good stead against Ferencvaros.
With the Hungarian visitors shorn of Varga's match-winning qualities, the home team should back themselves to outscore their opponents in Thessaloniki.
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Mats Hummels and Evan Ndicka of Roma celebrate scoring on November 28, 2024© Imago
Both clinging on to a Europa League playoff place with three games remaining, Roma and Braga will battle it out for maximum points on Thursday.
The teams convene at Stadio Olimpico having won just three times between them so far, and the Giallorossi trail their Portuguese counterparts in the table.
We say: Roma 2-1 Braga
Home advantage can make all the difference for a brittle Roma side that often falters when venturing outside of the Eternal City.
The hosts should prevail, but Braga are capable opponents with a handful of proven performers at Europa League level - it could be a very close contest.
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Hoffenheim boss Christian Ilzer before his side's match against Freiburg, on December 8, 2024© Imago
In a match that could prove pivotal for Bundesliga side Hoffenheim's hopes of reaching the Europa League round of 16, they are set to welcome Romanian champions FCSB to PreZero Arena on Thursday.
The German club are one position outside the round of 16 playoff spots in 25th place with five points after five games, while the visitors are 10th with 10 points and drew 0-0 with Olympiacos on November 28.
We say: Hoffenheim 1-2 FCSB
Hoffenheim's poor results have not improved under their new manager, and there is no reason to think that they can turn their fortunes around anytime soon.
Additionally, it would not be surprising if FCSB were able to take advantage of the fact that their hosts are missing a number of players and will likely come into Thursday's game with their ranks significantly depleted.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Nice manager Franck Haise pictured on April 12, 2024© Imago
Nice will make the relatively short trip across the border to Belgium to face Union SG in the Europa League on Thursday.
Franck Haise's men are, by some distance, the biggest underachievers in the competition so far, with progression to the knockouts now looking beyond them.
We say: Union SG 1-1 Nice
Nice's worrying European form is unlikely to change against a side currently unbeaten in nine games, and it could spell the end of their chances to progress.
Union SG are on the rise in Europe, winning four points from their last two games, and they will be confident of taking something here, especially after holding Roma on their last European home night.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim on December 1, 2024© Imago
Two teams level on points in the Europa League standings face off at Doosan Arena in Czechia on Thursday night as Viktoria Plzen play host to Manchester United.
Both clubs enter this contest after picking up nine points from their first five fixtures, with the Red Devils sitting 12th in the 36-team table and just one place above Plzen in 13th spot.
We say: Viktoria Plzen 1-3 Manchester United
Viktoria Plzen, who have already caused a couple of upsets in the Europa League this season, may enter Thursday's contest as huge underdogs, but they will fancy their chances against an out-of-sorts Man United side.
Amorim will be seeking a response from his players, though, and it is difficult to back against the Red Devils coming out on top, even if their Portuguese boss opts to make a few changes to his lineup.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> Hojlund or Zirkzee, Rashford or Garnacho? Predicted Man United lineup vs. Plzen
> Will Lindelof return? Man United injury, suspension news vs. Viktoria Plzen
Ajax's Brian Brobbey on August 29, 2024© Imago
Still unbeaten in this season's competition, Europa League leaders Lazio will visit Ajax at Johan Cruijff ArenA on Thursday.
The clubs' first-ever meeting takes place with the Italian side leading their Dutch counterparts by three points in the standings, and both are on course for automatic entry to the last 16.
We say: Ajax 1-2 Lazio
Having already proved that their squad can cope with rotation, Lazio can travel to the Netherlands full of confidence that an unbeaten Europa League run will continue.
The Aquile could even fly home with maximum points, leaving a faltering Ajax side in some danger of missing out on a precious top-eight finish.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Patrick Berg in action for Bodo/Glimt on November 28, 2024© Imago
Bodo/Glimt seek to continue their commendable record against Besiktas in Thursday's Europa League matchday six encounter at Aspmyra Stadion.
With three games remaining in the expanded league phase, both sides sit outside the top eight spots guaranteeing last-16 participation but hope to improve their prospects by securing a positive result in the forthcoming fixture.
We say: Bodo/Glimt 1-1 Besiktas
After losing the previous Europa League fixture under old boss Van Bronckhorst, Besiktas will be eager to prove their progress under the new regime. While a win would be ideal, securing a draw on the road against Bodo/Glimt would be a respectable result.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Elfsborg's manager Oscar Hiljemark is saddended at a press conference after the football match between Mjällby and Elfsborg on August 18, 2024 [on August 20, 2024]© Imago
Swedish side Elfsborg are set to host Azerbaijan's Qarabag FK at Boras Arena this Thursday in the Europa League.
Both sides will be desperate to take three points from each other and gain ground on the playoff spots having struggled so far in their European campaigns.
We say: Elfsborg 2-1 Qarabag FK
Both sides have struggled in their first five Europa League matches this term and will be keenly aware that time is running out for them to pick up the necessary points to make it to the next round.
However, the defensive weakness Qarabag have displayed in the league phase so far is difficult to overlook, and Elfsborg may exploit this to take all three points on Thursday.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Samuel Omorodion of Porto celebrates scoring against Manchester United in the Europa League, on October 3, 2024© Imago
Porto will endeavour to boost their hopes of reaching the Europa League knockout rounds when thy welcome Midtjylland to the Estadio do Dragao on Thursday evening.
While the Dragons have put together a three-game unbeaten run in all competitions, the Wolves have alternated between defeat and victory in their last four fixtures.
Both teams will fancy their chances of success on Thursday and will be aware of how important it is to secure maximum points in their quest to reach the last 16. We are backing both Porto and Midtjylland to make the net ripple in this contest, but the hosts may just do enough to come out on top.
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Lyon's Malick Fofana pictured on November 10, 2024© IconSport
Two of the most impressive clubs in Europe's top-five leagues recently meet in the Europa League on Thursday, when Lyon host Eintracht Frankfurt.
Both enter the first-ever meeting between the two sides in the top eight of the league phase, and are fancied to progress directly to the last 16 of the knockout stage.
We say: Lyon 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
With Lyon having only suffered one defeat in 14, and Frankfurt just two in 19, it is tough to separate two sides that are among the most in form across Europe at present.
Lacazette and Marmoush have been brilliant in the final third for their respective clubs, and it could be a straight shootout between those two to decide the result here.
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Maccabi Tel Aviv manager Zarko Lazetic on October 3, 2024© Imago
Both aiming to boost their faint hopes of progressing to the Europa League knockout phase playoffs, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Rigas Futbola Skola will do battle in the sixth round of league-phase fixtures on Thursday.
The Israeli outfit picked up their first points of the campaign by beating Besiktas last time out, while their opponents are a point worse off having managed two draws from their first five outings.
We say: Maccabi Tel Aviv 3-1 Rigas Futbola Skola
With more quality in their ranks and confidence from a first victory in the league phase last time out, we back Maccabi Tel Aviv to take all three points and close the gap to the top 24 on Thursday.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou pictured on September 18, 2024© Imago
The Europa League offers up a Battle of Britain on Thursday night, when Scottish giants Rangers welcome Premier League Tottenham Hotspur to Ibrox.
Both clubs are in contention to finish in the top eight of the league phase, despite underwhelming domestically this season, ahead of the first meeting between the two in over six decades.
We say: Rangers 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Rangers have not beaten English opposition in their last six attempts, and despite Spurs' recent struggles, this is still set to be one of their toughest games on the continent this season.
Spurs made little fuss in beating Qarabag and Ferencvaros earlier in the campaign, but even though Rangers are on a similar footing, being away at a raucous Ibrox during a poor run of form will make this far from routine.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> Defensive problems return for Postecoglou: Spurs predicted lineup vs. Rangers
> Clement to start with five attacking players? Rangers predicted lineup vs. Spurs
> Double defensive blow? Spurs injury, suspension list vs. Rangers
Real Sociedad's Mikel Oyarzabal on August 18, 2024© Imago
Real Sociedad will look to continue their fine run of form when they welcome Dynamo Kiev to the Reale Arena for Thursday's Europa League contest.
The Basque side are sitting in 16th spot in the league phase, while their Ukrainian visitors are languishing at the foot of the standings.
We say: Real Sociedad 2-0 Dynamo Kiev
Real Sociedad will be full of confidence after winning their last four competitive matches without conceding, and we think they will produce another strong defensive display to claim maximum points against a Dynamo side that have struggled in the inaugural league phase.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Anderlecht players celebrate scoring on November 8, 2024© Imago
Anderlecht travel to Slavia Prague in the Europa League on Thursday, hoping to strengthen their chances of securing automatic qualification to the last 16.
The Belgian club have made a strong start in the competition and remain undefeated after their opening five fixtures, a run that has them currently sitting in fifth place in the standings.
We say: Slavia Prague 1-1 Anderlecht
Slavia have had some tough games in the competition and we feel that this is why they are currently so far down in the Europa League table.
Although they would love to get all three points, Anderlecht are another difficult opponent, so we think this will be a close encounter that ends in a draw.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
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