Sparta Prague vs. Rangers (Thursday, 5.45pm)
© Reuters
Scottish Premiership champions Rangers will be looking to claim their first three points in Group A when they travel to Sparta Prague for their second match in the Europa League on Thursday night.
The two sides last met back in 1991-92 in the first round of the European Cup, with the Czech outfit progressing on away goals, winning 1-0 on home soil before losing 2-1 against the Gers at Ibrox.
We say: Sparta Prague 1-2 Rangers
With Lyon the favourites to top Group A, both Sparta Prague and Rangers will view their encounters against each other as must-win matches if they are to advance into the knockout stages.
A closely-fought contest is set to be played out on Thursday, however we feel that the visitors have a greater threat going forward which could fire them towards all three points in the Czech capital.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Lyon vs. Brondby (Thursday, 5.45pm)
© Reuters
Lyon will be looking to claim their second successive win in Group A when they host Danish outfit Brondby in the Europa League on Thursday night.
The two sides meet for the first time since 1997-98 when Les Gones secured a 7-3 aggregate victory in the first round of the UEFA Cup.
We say: Lyon 2-0 Brondby
Despite an inconsistent domestic run in recent weeks, and having several first-team players out injured, Lyon should be strong enough to beat Brondby on Thursday night.
The Danish visitors are enduring a poor run of form at present and their fortunes are unlikely to turn in France.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Real Sociedad vs. Monaco (Thursday, 5.45pm)
© Reuters
Monaco head into their Europa League fixture with Real Sociedad looking to build on starting their Group B campaign with maximum points.
While the Ligue 1 outfit got the better of Sturm Graz on matchday one, Sociedad were involved in an entertaining 2-2 draw with PSV Eindhoven.
We say: Real Sociedad 1-1 Monaco
This has all the makings of a thrilling encounter, one which Sociedad will know that they can ill-afford to lose. Monaco will also be happy enough with a draw in Spain, leading us to predict a share of the spoils at the Anoeta Stadium.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Sturm Graz vs. PSV (Thursday, 5.45pm)
© Reuters
PSV Eindhoven square off against Sturm Graz in the Europa League with Roger Schmidt under pressure to improve his team's recent inconsistent form.
While the visitors started their Group B campaign with a 2-2 draw versus Real Sociedad, Sturm Graz went down by a 1-0 scoreline at Monaco.
We say: Sturm Graz 1-2 PSV Eindhoven
Despite being clear favourites to win this fixture, we do not expect PSV to have it all their own way in Austria. However, their superior quality in the final third should shine through at some stage, potentially giving them the win by the odd goal in three.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Legia vs. Leicester (Thursday, 5.45pm)
© Reuters
Returning to Europa League action after a difficult fortnight in the league, Leicester City travel to meet Group C leaders Legia Warsaw on Thursday.
Having picked up just a point from their last three Premier League games, the Foxes will be keen to post a first win of their continental campaign, while their hosts have also struggled domestically but claimed maximum points on opening night.
We say: Legia Warsaw 1-2 Leicester City
Legia's positive start to the campaign may come to a swift end, as they clearly have defensive issues at the moment and meet a Leicester side with significant squad depth.
Even if ageless striker Jamie Vardy takes a well deserved rest, the visitors have numerous attacking options that can take the game away from the home side with a flash of inspiration.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Napoli vs. Spartak Moscow (Thursday, 5.45pm)
© Reuters
A scintillating start to Serie A sees Napoli in top form for their first Europa League home game, as they host Spartak Moscow on Thursday.
With a perfect record in the Italian top flight, the Azzurri will seek to add to their single point gained on the opening night, while their visitors sit bottom of the early Group C table.
We say: Napoli 2-0 Spartak Moscow
Excelling at both ends so far under Luciano Spalletti - former boss of Spartak's domestic rivals Zenit - there is little doubt that Napoli can overcome their visitors without too much trouble, even if they rotate their resources.
Coming up against an abundance of attacking options allied to a well-drilled defence means that Spartak will take the long journey home empty-handed and already staring elimination in the face.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Antwerp vs. Frankfurt (Thursday, 5.45pm)
© Reuters
Royal Antwerp will look to get their first points on the board in Group D of the Europa League on Thursday when they host Eintracht Frankfurt.
The visitors drew their opening fixture against Fenerbahce, while Olympiacos currently sit top after beating the hosts in the first game.
We say: Royal Antwerp 2-0 Eintracht Frankfurt
Even though Royal Antwerp are currently bottom of Group D, they are more likely to walk away with three points on Thursday, purely because of the brilliant form they are in.
The visitors have been struggling to win games this season, lacking the ruthless edge to turn their draws into three points, which is a problem them that the Belgian club have not had.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Fenerbahce vs. Olympiacos (Thursday, 5.45pm)
© Reuters
Olympiacos will travel to Turkey on Thursday evening to play the second match of their Europa League campaign as they attempt to maintain their position at the top of Group D.
Fenerbahce drew their opening game in the competition and head into this match on the back of two victories in the Super Lig, which is a run they would no doubt like to extend.
We say: Fenerbahce 1-1 Olympiacos
Both teams head into this game with a lot of confidence due to how they are performing in their respective leagues, with each club sitting at the top of their tables.
Because of that, they will each have no shortage of momentum, but that could lead to a draw in this particular match as they could end up cancelling each other out with their attacking qualities meeting stubborn defences.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Ludogorets vs. Red Star (Thursday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
Ludogorets Razgrad will welcome Red Star Belgrade to Bulgaria on Thursday, in the second round of fixtures in the Europa League group stage.
The hosts began the campaign with a draw against Danish outfit FC Midtjylland, while their visitors picked up a 2-1 home victory over Braga.
We say: Ludogorets Razgrad 1-1 Red Star Belgrade
While the visitors were arguably more impressive in the opening game of the group stage, we put these sides on a relatively level playing field, and struggle to choose a winner.
With home advantage, the Bulgarian side should have enough to hold their free-scoring visitors to a draw that will likely be fairly pleasing to both teams.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Braga vs. Midtjylland (Thursday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
After both failing to win their opening game, Braga and FC Midtjylland will square off on Thursday in the second round of fixtures of the Europa League group stage.
The Portuguese side were narrowly beaten by Red Star Belgrade in the curtain-raiser, while their visitors played out a draw with Ludogorets Razgrad, and both will be keen to secure a first three-point haul.
We say: Braga 2-1 FC Midtjylland
With the benefit of home advantage, Braga will be keen to put their first victory of the group on the board, and we see them scraping past the visitors.
While they have tended to struggle going forward at points, the Archbishops do have enough to pull off a victory in front of a home crowd.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Lazio vs. Lokomotiv (Thursday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
Two sides still searching for their first wins of the 2021-22 Europa League campaign prepare for battle in Group E on Thursday night as Lazio face Lokomotiv Moscow.
Maurizio Sarri's side went down 1-0 to Galatasaray on the opening matchday, while their Russian counterparts played out a 1-1 draw with Marseille.
We say: Lazio 2-0 Lokomotiv Moscow
The Rome derby victory came at an ideal time for Lazio, whose upcoming opponents are resilient at the best of times but have also demonstrated a goal-shy nature in recent weeks.
Injuries and suspensions will also force Nikolic to make some potentially unwanted changes, and we expect the hosts' quality to shine through as they kickstart their European campaign at the second time of asking.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Marseille vs. Galatasaray (Thursday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
Marseille will aim to recover from some minor blips in form when they host Galatasaray in Europa League Group E on Thursday night.
Jorge Sampaoli's side played out a 1-1 draw with Lokomotiv Moscow on the opening day, while their Turkish counterparts came out on top against Lazio.
We say: Marseille 2-1 Galatasaray
Galatasaray just cannot seem to get over the line away from home in Europe, and Marseille hardly need any lessons in finding the back of the net on home soil.
The hosting manager has bountiful options for change in all areas and will be desperate to pick up a morale-boosting win before the trip to Lille, so we are backing Les Olympiens to shade a close contest.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Celtic vs. B. Leverkusen (Thursday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
After suffering defeat against Real Betis in their opening Europa League game earlier this month, Celtic will be seeking their first three points in Group G when they host Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday night.
This will be the first ever meeting between the two sides in a major European competition, with the visitors being the 10th different German club that the Hoops will have encountered.
We say: Celtic 1-3 Bayer Leverkusen
Thursday's encounter with Leverkusen is set to be Celtic's toughest test in Group G and although their home for this campaign has been strong, we feel that they may find it difficult to cope with the German side's forward line.
Neither team will be at full strength due to several injuries, however we can see the visitors coming away with all three points at Parkhead.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Ferencvaros vs. Real Betis (Thursday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
Ferencvaros and Real Betis will face each other for the very first time when they lock horns in the Europa League group stage on Thursday night.
The visitors have scored at least twice in each of their last five games across all competitions, while the Hungarian hosts have found the back of the net in each of their last 10 competitive matches so far this season.
We say: Ferencvaros 0-1 Real Betis
Even through there were a flurry of goals in the games involving both sides on the opening matchday, we can see a tight encounter played out in Hungary as the two teams will be keen to avoid defeat on Thursday night.
However, the Spanish visitors have the stronger side on paper and should have enough quality to break down Ferencvaros' backline to claim a narrow victory.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Genk vs. Dinamo Zagreb (Thursday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
After contrasting starts to the group stage, Genk and Dinamo Zagreb will square off in the second round of Europa League fixtures on Thursday.
The hosts snatched a late victory over Rapid Vienna in their first game, while the Croatian side were defeated on home turf by West Ham United, and will look to quickly bounce back.
We say: Genk 3-1 Dinamo Zagreb
While Dinamo Zagreb will be keen to quickly bounce back from their opening defeat, we do not see them having the quality to topple Genk in Belgium on Thursday.
The hosts have been strong going forward throughout the season, and should have enough to make it two wins from two.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
West Ham vs. Rapid Vienna (Thursday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
After an opening win in Croatia, West Ham United will look to make it two wins from two in their Europa League group campaign on Thursday, when they welcome Austrian outfit Rapid Vienna to London.
David Moyes's side earned a 2-0 away win over Dinamo Zagreb, while their visitors suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Genk in their opening game of the group stage.
We say: West Ham United 3-0 Rapid Vienna
Even if Moyes deploys a rotated squad, West Ham still boast more than enough quality to get past their visitors on Thursday.
The trip to Croatia showed their desire to succeed in this tournament, and we expect the Irons to post another dominant victory to take control in the group.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Matt Law
