The UEFA Europa League returns with the penultimate league phase matches, with 18 games scheduled to be played on Thursday.
French giants Lyon are on top of the table with 15 points after six matches. They are level on points with Dutch dark horses Midtjylland and English Premier League’s Aston Villa.
All three sides won their last matches before the break, maintaining their near perfect record of one defeat in the competition thus far. All will be eager to keep up their good form to guarantee a top finish and automatic qualification.
Another five teams have not managed a single win and have no hope of qualification. However, they can still play a major role in their matches against some of the top teams.
With plenty of blockbuster encounters to look forward to, we have a brief look at some of the top games and offer our predicted outcomes.
Bologna vs Celtic – 8:45PM
Bologna’s five-game unbeaten run in the Europa League will definitely give them a confidence boost here. They are in 13th place with 14 points and have lost just once in the competition.
They welcome a Celtic side who have lost three of their last five Europa League matches. This run of form leaves them in a lowly 24th place with seven points.
The record Scottish league winners have picked up the pace in recent weeks and come into the game on a three-match winning streak. Bologna on the other hand have only managed one win in their last seven matches.
With this being the first competitive fixture between the two sides and qualification on both their minds, we can expect a fiery encounter. Bologna’s home form has been impressive in Europe and are tipped to avoid defeat here.
Prediction – Bologna to win – click here to place your bet on this game.
Brann vs Midtjylland – 8:45PM
With just one defeat in their last eight matches, second-place Midtjylland will favor their chances when they travel to lowly Brann. The hosts have eight points down in 22nd place.
Midtjylland have been the surprise standout performers in this season’s Europa League. They have lost just once from their opening six games, a 2-1 loss to Roma in matchday four.
Brann has won two games in the competition, beating winless Utrecht and Rangers. They will however need to be at their best if they are to have a chance at keeping Midtjylland out.
The Dutch outfit has scored 13 goals in the competition, joint-top with leaders Lyon and PAOK. They are expected to get on the scoresheet in this match as well.
These two sides have only ever played one match against each other in 2010, with Midtjylland winning on penalties after the game ended 1-1 in regular time.
Prediction – Midtjylland to win or draw – click here to place your bet on this game.
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Fenerbhace vs Aston Villa – 8:45PM
Unai Emery’s side are in third place after a remarkable start to their Europa League campaign. Aston Villa are on a three-match winning streak in the competition coming into this tie.
Fenerbahce are on an admirable run themselves, unbeaten in their last five games in Europe. They also boast a four-match winning streak in all competitions after coming from behind twice to beat Alanyaspor over the weekend.
Villa’s recent form has not been convincing and are fresh off a shock 1-0 EPL home defeat to Everton. The loss was their second in five games, as they seek to bounce back here and cement their place in the knockout round.
Prediction – Both teams to score – click here to place your bet on this game.
PAOK vs Real Betis – 8:45PM
PAOK made it six victories in succession across all competitions over the weekend, giving them a confidence boost ahead of this crucial fixture. A win for either side will all but secure a spot for them in the knockout phase.
The Greek side have lost once in their last 13 games, unbeaten in their last four Europa League games. They are in 18th place with nine points.
Betis on the other hand are in fourth place with 14 after winning their last three consecutive Europa League games. They have also been good defensively, conceding just four goals,
However, PAOK are joint-top with the most goals (13) in the competition this season, plus their home advantage may give them an edge in this encounter.
Prediction – Over 1.5 goals – click here to place your bet on this game.
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Young Boys vs Lyon – 8:45PM
Despite being in 21st place, Young Boys seem to be on track to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition. They bounced back from successive defeats to stun Lille 1-0 in their last outing.
However, they come into the game on a pathetic run of form, losing all of their last five matches.
They have their toughest test yet when they host leaders Lyon, who have 15 points from their opening six games. The French giants are seeking a third consecutive Europa League win.
Lyon have lost just one in their last five away games and will be confident they can bag all three points here. This will be the first competitive fixture between these two sides.
The visitors boast a better squad and their recent run of form gives them the edge ahead of this clash. A win for Lyon will put them in prime position to finish top ahead of the last matchday.
Prediction – Lyon to win or draw – click here to place your bet on this game.
AS Roma vs Stuttgart – 11PM
Roma have won three consecutive Europa League games, shaking off an inconsistent start in the competition. Their impressive form has them in 10th place with 12 points, level with their opponents.
Stuttgart are on a similar run of form as Roma in Europe, bouncing back from two straight defeats to win their last three games on the bounce. The German outfit brings with it a seven-match unbeaten run to the game.
There’s only room for one of them among the top eight teams ahead of the final matchday in the league phase. Roma have lost two of their last five games at home, needing a win here to secure a respectable finish.
Prediction – Roma to win or draw – click here to place your bet on this game.
Braga vs Nottingham Forest – 11PM
Hosts Braga are on a poor run of form, winning just two of their last six matches. In Europe however, they are in seventh place with 13 points.
Braga have only lost one game in the Europa League this season and are keen to secure qualification with a victory here.
They host an 11th place Nottingham side who are unbeaten in their last four matches in Europe. Victory here could guarantee their automatic qualification for the knockout stages.
The only other match between these two clubs was a friendly in 2016 where Nottingham came out 3-0 winners. Plenty has changed since and there is a lot more on the line on Thursday night.
Goals have not been an issue for either side in the competition and we can expect at least two in the game.
Prediction – Over 1.5 goals – click here to place your bet on this game.