Thursday's Europa League predictions including Ajax vs. Panathinaikos

Lincoln vs. Dinamo Minsk (Thursday, 5.00pm)

In the second leg of the Europa League's third qualifying round, Gibraltar's top-flight champions Lincoln Red Imps will look to overcome the odds when they host Belarusian champions Dinamo Minsk at Europa Point Stadium on Thursday.

The away side have a two-goal advantage heading into the second leg after winning 2-0 at Varosi Stadion last week on August 8.

We say: Lincoln Red Imps 0-3 Dinamo Minsk (Minsk win 5-0 on aggregate)

Minsk's lead will almost certainly prove too much for Lincoln to overcome, and they could be vulnerable to counter-attacks when trying to break the visitors down.

Additionally, given Lincoln have lost their last four matches without scoring, it would not be surprising if they failed once again to get on the scoresheet.

Rapid Vienna vs. Trabzonspor (Thursday, 5.00pm)

Seeking to overturn a one-goal first-leg deficit, Trabzonspor travel to Austria to face Rapid Vienna in the second leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie on Thursday evening.

The winners of this tie on aggregate will progress to the playoff round to face either Braga or Servette later this month.

We say: Rapid Vienna 1-1 Trabzonspor (Rapid Vienna to win 2-1 on aggregate)

Trabzonspor were considered the favourites for this tie prior to the first leg, but Rapid Vienna admirably held their own in Turkey and deservedly enter the reverse fixture with a slender advantage.

The Turkish visitors must win if they wish to advance to the playoff round, but as they are not quite firing on all cylinders at present, we can see Rapid Vienna claiming at least a share of the spoils to progress on aggregate.

Plzen vs. Kryvbas Kryvyi (Thursday, 6.00pm)

Holding a one-goal lead from a first-leg victory, Viktoria Plzen are set to host Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih at the Doosan Arena on Thursday evening in the second leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie.

The hosts had to come from behind to take an eventual 2-1 win home from Ukraine, leaving the visitors needing to overturn a goal deficit to keep their Europa League dreams alive.

We say: Viktoria Plzen 2-0 Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih (Viktoria Plzen win 4-1 on aggregate)

Plzen managed to come from behind to take a crucial 2-1 victory away from the first leg, and with them now boasting the home advantage, while the visitors have lost both their last two games, we expect the hosts to win this one.

Elfsborg vs. Rijeka (Thursday, 6.00pm)

Following a 1-1 draw in the first leg, Elfsborg will host HNK Rijeka at the Boras Arena in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie.

This week's hosts were able to hold on to a draw following a second-half dismissal in Croatia, leaving them firmly in the tie going into their home leg.

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

Elfsborg have enjoyed a brilliant run of results since the arrival of Hiljemark in the managerial position, while Rijeka have failed to win away from home in six matches, suggesting the hosts will advance here.

Cercle Brugge vs. Molde (Thursday, 7.00pm)

After securing a comprehensive 3-0 victory in the first leg, Molde will endeavour to finish the job when they travel to Belgium to face Cercle Brugge in the second leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie on Thursday evening.

The winners of this tie on aggregate will progress to the playoff round to face either HNK Rijeka or IF Elfsborg later this month.

We say: Cercle Brugge 1-2 Molde (Molde to win 5-1 on aggregate)

Cercle Brugge can ill-afford to start the way that they did in the first leg against Molde and must quickly put their stamp on proceedings if they wish to have any chance of overturning the three-goal deficit. However, it is difficult to back against Molde progressing from this tie on aggregate, even if the hosts do put up a fight.

Ajax vs. Panathinaikos (Thursday, 7.15pm)

With a one-goal lead after last week's first leg, Ajax welcome Panathinaikos to Amsterdam on Thursday, as they aim to seal a place in the Europa League playoffs.

Victory in Greece has put the Dutch giants in control of their third qualifying round tie, amid a successful start to the new season.

We say: Ajax 1-0 Panathinaikos (Ajax win 2-0 on aggregate)

Proving an impressive start to the Francesco Farioli era may be sustainable, Ajax can win again on Thursday night, securing their place in the Europa League playoffs.

Now that Bergwijn and Brobbey are both back in the fold, they should find a way past Panathinaikos, who will be bound for the Conference League.

Servette vs. Braga (Thursday, 7.30pm)

Following last week's goalless draw in Portugal, Servette and Braga play out the second leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie on Thursday.

While the winners will advance to the playoffs, the side beaten at Stade de Geneve must face Chelsea in the Conference League qualifiers.

We say: Servette 1-2 Braga (Braga win 2-1 on aggregate)

A change of management may get Braga back on track, while Servette's weekend thrashing will have dented morale in the Swiss side's camp: given the visitors' greater experience they should progress, with their hosts bound for the Conference League playoffs.

Lugano vs. Partizan (Thursday, 7.30pm)

Lugano will head into the second leg of the Europa League's third qualifying round in a position of strength when they face Partizan at the Stockhorn Arena on Thursday.

The home side won the first leg 1-0 on August 8 thanks to a goal from Mattia Zanotti in the 74th minute.

We say: Lugano 1-1 Partizan (Lugano win 2-1 on aggregate)

The close nature of the first leg would suggest that the second could swing in either team's favour, although Thursday's clash could be low scoring once again.

If Partizan open up too early in search of an equaliser, they could be caught out during counter-attacks.

M. Tel Aviv vs. Panevezys (Thursday, 7.30pm)

With a goal in hand following last week's first leg, Maccabi Tel Aviv aim to finish the job on Thursday evening, as they complete their Europa League qualifying tie against plucky Panevezys.

Whichever side progresses from the third round will meet Serbia's FK Backa Topola in the playoffs later this month.

We say: Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-0 Panevezys (Maccabi Tel Aviv win 3-1 on aggregate)

Though they will not be on home turf, Maccabi Tel Aviv should have enough nous to negotiate the second leg of their third-round tie and progress to the Europa League playoffs.

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

Battling for a spot in the next stage of Europa League qualifying, Borac Banja Luka and KI Klaksvik will clash at Gradski Stadion on Thursday night for their second-leg meeting.

The Red and Blues are chasing a one-goal deficit following a tight first leg, whilst KI will be looking to be defensively solid on the road and book their place in the playoff round.

We say: Borac Banja Luka 2-0 KI Klaksvik (Borac Banja Luka win 3-2 on aggregate)

Yet to commence their domestic campaign in 2024-25, Borac Banja were off the pace last week but should be able to turnaround this tie on Thursday night.

Klaksvik are in a good vein of form but they are set to struggle on the road in front of a hostile home crowd at the Gradski Stadion.

Shamrock vs. Celje (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Seeking to overturn a one-goal first-leg deficit, Shamrock Rovers play host to Celje at Tallaght Stadium in the second leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie on Thursday evening.

The winners of this tie on aggregate will progress to the playoff round to face either Malmo or PAOK later this month.

We say: Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Celje (2-2 on aggregate a.e.t - Shamrock Rovers to win on penalties)

There was little to separate the two teams in the first leg and another tight affair could be in store on Thursday. Against a jaded Celje outfit struggling with fitness issues addressed by their own manager, Shamrock Rovers could be spurred on by the home crowd to victory in a contest that may go beyond the 90 minutes.