Considering the hectic nature of recent footballing schedules, the avoidance of two further fixtures is a luxurious for these looking for to advance deep into the Europa League.
UEFA’s reformation of the competitors following the introduction of the Europa Conference League means the spherical of 32 has been changed by the knockout play-off spherical. The eight groups that end second of their group will face off in opposition to one of many third-place Champions League groups for a spot within the spherical of 16.
The Europa League group winners, in the meantime, earn a ticket straight into the final 16.
Thus, with the ultimate matchday of group fixtures upcoming, there’s lots to look out for. While we already know the overwhelming majority of the groups which have superior, prime spot continues to be at stake in 5 of the eight teams.
West Ham, Brighton and Rangers are every vying to hitch Liverpool within the spherical of 16.
Here’s how 90min predicts Thursday’s Europa League motion will play out.
Early kick-offs
Liverpool secured their place within the spherical of 16 after thumping LASK at Anfield on matchday 5. They now don’t have anything to play for in Brussels as their group stage concludes in opposition to Union Saint-Gilloise.
USG should beat the Reds and hope backside dwellers LASK overcome Toulouse in Austria to qualify in second place.
Rennes and Villarreal have been the 2 standout sides in Group E, and the 2 golf equipment face off in France on Thursday. Villarreal have rallied after shedding on matchday one, though their draw to Maccabi Haifa has hindered their probabilities of pipping Rennes to prime spot. The Spaniards should now beat the French facet away from house to win Group E.
Panathinaikos then host Maccabi Haifa hoping to safe third spot within the group which might see them drop into the Europa Conference League knockout play-offs.
|
Kick-off Time (BST) |
Fixture |
Group |
Prediction |
|---|---|---|---|
|
17:45 |
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Liverpool |
E |
1-1 |
|
17:45 |
LASK vs Toulouse |
E |
0-1 |
|
17:45 |
Rennes vs Villarreal |
F |
1-1 |
|
17:45 |
Panathinaikos vs Maccabi Haifa |
F |
2-1 |
|
17:45 |
Slavia Prague vs Servette |
G |
1-0 |
|
17:45 |
AS Roma vs Sheriff |
G |
2-0 |
|
17:45 |
Qarabag vs Hacken |
H |
2-0 |
|
17:45 |
Bayer Leverkusen vs Molde |
H |
3-1 |
It seems like Roma will probably be compelled to compete within the knockout play-offs even when they beat Sheriff within the Italian capital on Thursday. Roma’s defeat in Prague on matchday 4 means it is probably that Slavia will prime Group G.
The Czech facet are anticipated to beat Servette at house on Matchday 6.
Bayer Leverkusen‘s Bundesliga dominance has carried over to the Europa League with Xabi Alonso’s facet trying to full the proper group stage on Thursday. Leverkusen host Molde on matchday six and the Norwegian facet want factors to beat out Qarabag to second place in Group H.
Molde should higher Qarabag’s end result, however the Azerbaijani facet are taking up a Hacken staff which might be but to notch a degree within the competitors this time period.
Late kick-offs
Tomas Soucek’s late winner in Serbia final trip leaves West Ham in pole place for prime spot in Group A. Their victory in Germany on matchday two means the Hammers want only a level in opposition to SC Freiburg to win the group.
There’s little at stake within the group’s different sport as Olympiacos host strugglers Backa Topola.
Brighton, who picked up only a level from their two group video games, even have the possibility to win their group on Thursday as they play host to group leaders Marseille. The Ligue 1 facet are having fun with life with Gennaro Gattuso on the helm, and Brighton’s home kind has taken a substantial hit in current weeks.
The Seagulls have superior into the knockouts, and so they want a win on the Amex to seal prime spot.
Ajax‘s Europa League marketing campaign has been depressing, however victory in Amsterdam over AEK Athens will see them drop into the Europa Conference League play-offs.
|
Kick-off Time (BST) |
Fixture |
Group |
Prediction |
|---|---|---|---|
|
20:00 |
West Ham vs SC Freiburg |
A |
2-1 |
|
20:00 |
Olympiacos vs Backa Topola |
A |
2-0 |
|
20:00 |
Brighton vs Marseille |
B |
2-2 |
|
20:00 |
Ajax vs AEK Athens |
B |
3-1 |
|
20:00 |
Real Betis vs Rangers |
C |
1-0 |
|
20:00 |
Aris Limassol vs Sparta Prague |
C |
0-0 |
|
20:00 |
Sporting CP vs Sturm Graz |
D |
2-0 |
|
20:00 |
Rakow Czestochowa vs Atalanta |
D |
1-4 |
Philippe Clement has carried out a sterling job in the beginning of his Rangers profession, however it’ll take a memorable victory for the Gers to prime Group C. In truth, they’re but to progress from their group and are prone to ending third.
Their journey to group leaders Real Betis is imposing, however the La Liga facet have been removed from dominant. Betis have taken 9 factors from 5 group video games and so they, too, could possibly be eradicated ought to they lose on Thursday.
Sparta Prague‘s victory over Betis on Matchday 5 shook up Group C, and a win for them away at Aris Limassol will assure their place within the knockouts.
Atalanta’s head-to-head superiority over Sporting CP means there will not be a lot drama in Group D with the Serie A facet ending atop the group. Sporting will compete within the knockout play-offs.
Atalanta go to Rakow Czestochowa on Thursday, whereas Sporting host Sturm Graz. The different two groups within the group every have 4 factors and cannot be separated by head-to-head, however Sturm Graz boasts a superior purpose distinction (by one purpose).
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