Thursday's Europa League predictions including Ajax vs. Jagiellonia

Elfsborg vs. Molde (Thursday, 6.00pm)

Elfsborg will look to defend their narrow lead in the second leg of the Europa League's fourth and final qualifying round on Thursday when they host Molde at Boras Arena.

Holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg on August 22 thanks to Ahmed Qasem's goal in the 15th minute, the home side will hope to make it through the qualifiers for the first time since 2013-14.

We say: Elfsborg 2-1 Molde (Elfsborg win 3-1 on aggregate)

If Elfsborg can replicate their strong performance from the first leg, it is difficult to see how Molde can overcome their deficit.

It would not be surprising if the hosts took an early lead and controlled large portions of the game.

Petrocub vs. Ludogorets (Thursday, 6.00pm)

Aiming to stage a comeback following a terrible first-leg showing, Petrocub Hincesti will host Ludogorets Razgrad in the second leg of their Europa League playoff on Thursday night.

The Hincesti Lions have plenty of work to do in order to reach the League Phase, whilst the Eagles know that even a defeat in Moldova could be enough for progression.

We say: Petrocub Hincesti 1-2 Ludogorets Razgrad (Ludogorets Razgrad win 6-1 on aggregate)

Needing to win by at least four goals in 90 minutes to keep the tie alive, Petrocub will have to go all out from the start in Moldova on Thursday night.

As a result, there should be spaces for Ludogorets to exploit in the Hincesti Lions' defence, meaning that we can envisage the Eagles extending their aggregate advantage even further.

APOEL vs. RFS (Thursday, 6.00pm)

Hosts APOEL will have to overcome their 2-1 first-leg deficit against Latvian Champions Rigas Futbola Skola on Thursday at the GSP Stadium if they are to progress from the Europa League's fourth and final qualifying round.

The home side struggled to break down the visitors' stubborn defence in the first leg on August 22 despite having more of the ball, and they were somewhat weak defensively on the day.

We say: APOEL 1-1 Rigas Futbola Skola (Rigas Futbola Skola win 3-2 on aggregate)

Given that APOEL will be boosted by the return of centre-back Petrovic, they could find it easier to deal with RFS' attacks than they did in the first leg.

The hosts could strike first on Thursday, but considering their poor form of late, it would be surprising if they managed to keep a clean sheet.

Anderlecht vs. Dinamo Minsk (Thursday, 7.00pm)

Leading by one goal from last week's first leg, Anderlecht aim to seal their place in the Europa League when they meet Dinamo Minsk on Thursday.

Following victory away from home, the Belgian club are in charge of their playoff tie and will aim to finish the job back in Brussels.

We say: Anderlecht 2-0 Dinamo Minsk (Anderlecht win 3-0 on aggregate)

Having done the tough part by taking a lead home from Hungary, in-form Anderlecht can expect to wrap up Europa League qualification with another win on home turf.

Dinamo Minsk lack sufficient firepower to overturn their deficit, so Les Mauves will surely progress from the playoffs.

Besiktas vs. Lugano (Thursday, 7.00pm)

After last week's six-goal first-leg thriller in Switzerland, Besiktas and Lugano square off at the Tupras Stadium in Istanbul for the second leg of their Europa League playoff tie on Thursday.

The winners of this two-legged tie will qualify to the newly-expanded 36-team Europa League, while the losers will drop down into the Conference League.

We say: Besiktas 2-1 Lugano (Besiktas to win 5-4 on aggregate)

Both sides have shown their attacking qualities and defensive weaknesses in recent weeks and another end-to-end contest could be in store on Thursday. Lugano will fancy their chances of pulling off an upset, but we are backing Besiktas to prevail on home soil.

Ajax vs. Jagiellonia (Thursday, 7.00pm)

With one foot already in the Europa League group phase, Ajax aim to confirm their place via the playoffs, as they reconvene with Jagiellonia Bialystok on Thursday.

The Dutch giants hold a three-goal lead before kickoff at Johan Cruijff ArenA, despite trailing early on in last week's first leg.

We say: Ajax 2-1 Jagiellonia Bialystok (Ajax win 6-2 on aggregate)

Having almost ensured qualification last week, Ajax can afford to keep something in reserve ahead of Sunday's Klassieker - the first of Francesco Farioli's tenure.

Even if changes are made, they should still overcome an ailing Jagiellonia side that cannot stop leaking goals and will be bereft of confidence.

FCSB vs. LASK (Thursday, 7.30pm)

After playing out a 1-1 first-leg draw in Austria, FCSB and LASK Linz battle it out at the Steaua Stadium in Bucharest in the second leg of their Europa League playoff tie on Thursday.

The winners of this two-legged tie will progress to the newly-expanded 36-team Europa League, while the losers will drop down into the Conference League.

We say: FCSB 1-2 LASK Linz (LASK Linz to win 3-2 on aggregate)

Positive results have been hard to come by for both teams in recent weeks, but they will both be motivated by the prospect of securing their spot in the Europa League with a victory on Thursday.

FCSB have lost three of their last four matches on home soil and they may come up short once again in front of their own fans, as we are backing LASK Linz to edge a closely-fought second-leg contest.

Hearts vs. Plzen (Thursday, 7.45pm)

Fighting for a place in the new-look Europa League group phase, Hearts will host Viktoria Plzen in the second leg of their playoff tie on Thursday.

The Scottish side trail 1-0 following last week's first leg, having succumbed to a stoppage-time goal after holding firm for 90 minutes.

We say: Hearts 1-1 Viktoria Plzen (Viktoria Plzen win 2-1 on aggregate)

The combination of a tight Plzen defence - albeit now missing its strongest component - and Hearts' attacking woes suggests that the Czech side will prevail.

Scoring once in Edinburgh should prove enough to send Viktoria through, consigning the out-of-form Jambos to a consolation place in the Conference League.

Backa Topola vs. M. Tel Aviv (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Battling for a place in the League Phase of the revamped Europa League, Backa Topola and Maccabi Tel Aviv will lock horns for their playoff second leg on Thursday night.

TSC have a mountain to climb following a poor first-leg showing last week, meaning that the Yellows know that any type of result could be enough for advancement into the next stage.

We say: Backa Topola 2-0 Maccabi Tel Aviv (Maccabi Tel Aviv win 3-2 on aggregate)

Supported by a passionate and hostile home crowd, Backa Topola should have enough to win the contest on the night, although it might not be enough to satisfy their need for at least three goals.

Maccabi will be looking to avoid another European capitulation after last season's 6-1 defeat to Olympiacos, and we feel that the Yellows will narrowly do just that.

Rapid Vienna vs. Braga (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Both looking to secure a spot in the league phase of the competition, Rapid Vienna and Braga will clash for the second leg of their Europa League playoff on Thursday night.

The Arcebispos have a one-goal advantage following last week's meeting, meaning that the Green and Whites need to a record a victory in this one to keep their continental dreams alive.

We say: Rapid Vienna 0-1 Braga (Braga win 3-1 on aggregate)

Rapid Vienna did well to only lose by a single goal as they battled on with 10 men for the majority of the contest at Braga during the first leg.

That being said, the Green and Whites looked very poor in their Bundesliga showing on the weekend, so we cannot envisage a positive result for the Austrians at Allianz Stadion.

Shamrock vs. PAOK (Thursday, 8.00pm)

After cruising to a four-goal first-leg triumph in Greece, PAOK will be looking to finish the job in Ireland against Shamrock Rovers in the return fixture of their Europa League playoff tie on Thursday.

The winners of this two-legged tie will qualify for the newly-expanded 36-team Europa League, while the losers will drop down into the Conference League.

We say: Shamrock Rovers 1-2 PAOK (PAOK to win 6-1 on aggregate)

Shamrock are merely playing for pride as they are aware that they require a miracle to progress to the Europa League. Bradely is keen for his team to put in a positive display in front of their own fans, though, before they all but certainly drop down into the Conference League.

PAOK, meanwhile, are in high spirits and will be keen to build on their positive start to the campaign, so we can see them coming out on top in the second leg and securing a comfortable aggregate victory.

Borac Banja Luka vs. Ferencvaros (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Borac Banja Luka are set to host Ferencvaros on Thursday at Gradski Stadion in the second leg of the Europa League's fourth and final qualifying round.

The sides' first clash on August 22 was a tense affair, and though Ferencvaros were arguably the better team, the match ultimately ended goalless and left all to play for in the second leg.

We say: Borac Banja Luka 0-2 Ferencvaros (Ferencvaros win 2-0 on aggregate)

If Ferencvaros can dominate possession as they did in the first leg, there is every chance that they could create more opportunities in the final third this time around.

Additionally, if Borac Banja Luka are as limited in attack as they were in the first leg, then they could struggle to get back into the game if the visitors take an early lead.