Thursday's Europa League predictions including Braga vs. Rapid Vienna

Plzen vs. Hearts (Thursday, 6.00pm)

Fighting it out for a place in the new-look Europa League group phase, Hearts visit Viktoria Plzen for the first leg of their playoff on Thursday.

While the Scottish side are facing their first European test of the season, Plzen came through the third qualifying round to set up this crucial two-legged tie.

We say: Viktoria Plzen 3-0 Hearts

Hearts will make their first European trip of the season more in hope than expectation, as Plzen are in excellent form and boast an impressive pedigree.

By contrast, the Jambos have been stuck in second gear so far, and they may already be out of the contest before next week's second leg in Scotland.

LASK vs. FCSB (Thursday, 6.00pm)

LASK Linz welcome FCSB to Raiffeisen Arena in Austria for the first leg of their Europa League playoff tie on Thursday night.

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: LASK Linz 1-1 FCSB

Neither side head into Thursday's contest with a positive run of form behind them, and while they will both back themselves to return to winning ways in the first leg, we can see the spoils being shared on this occasion, keeping the tie nicely poised ahead of next week's second leg in Romania.

Molde vs. Elfsborg (Thursday, 6.00pm)

In the first leg of the Europa League's fourth and final qualifying round, Norwegian side Molde are set to host Elfsborg at Aker Stadion on Thursday.

The home side entered in the competition in the second qualifying round and saw off Cercle Brugge in the third, while the Swedish visitors entered in the first round and beat Rijeka 3-1 on aggregate in their last tie.

We say: Molde 1-1 Elfsborg

Although Molde were more dominant in their third qualifying round than Elfsborg were in theirs, it is difficult to ignore the visitors' strong form in recent matches.

It would not be surprising if the first leg was another closely fought contest, leaving all to play for in the second.

RFS vs. APOEL (Thursday, 6.00pm)

Latvian Champions Rigas Futbola Skola will be hoping to gain an advantage over Cypriot title-winners APOEL Nicosia when they host them at LNK Sporta Parks on Thursday in the first leg of the Europa League's fourth and final qualifying round.

The home side were eliminated from the Champions League's second qualifying round and entered the third qualifying round of the Europa League, while this is the visitors' first Europa League tie of 2023-24 after they lost in the third qualifying round of Europe's premier competition.

We say: Rigas Futbola Skola 1-1 APOEL

APOEL could struggle for periods considering their form has not been strong in recent matches, and it would not be surprising if they conceded first on Thursday.

However, RFS have never reached the group stage of the Europa League, and their lack of winning experience in these types of fixtures could see them head into the second leg on even terms.

PAOK vs. Shamrock (Thursday, 6.30pm)

PAOK welcome Shamrock Rovers to the Toumba Stadium in Greece for the first leg of their Europa League playoff tie on Thursday night.

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 Europa Conference League.

We say: PAOK 2-1 Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock will travel to Greece in buoyant mood and Bradley will have faith in his side claiming at least a share of the spoils on Thursday. However, they may find it difficult to keep PAOK quiet in front of goal - they have already scored 12 goals in five competitive games this term - and with that in mind, we can see the hosts coming out on top.

M. Tel Aviv vs. Backa Topola (Thursday, 7.00pm)

Both aiming to reach the proper phase of UEFA's second-tier club competition, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Backa Topola will clash for the first leg of their Europa League playoff on Thursday night.

The Yellows are still getting accustomed to life under new management following the departure of an Irish legend, whilst the Serbians are looking to advance into the proper stage of the Europa League in consecutive years.

We say: Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-1 Backa Topola

Maccabi have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the 2024-25 season and should be confident of continuing their rich vein of form against Backa Topola on Thursday night.

The Serbians are struggling to find consistency domestically, so we feel that they could be the victims of first-leg defeat in Hungary.

Ludogorets vs. Petrocub (Thursday, 7.00pm)

With both sides potentially 180 minutes away from securing a place in the proper phase of the competition, Ludogorets Razgrad and Petrocub Hincesti will meet for the first leg of their Europa League playoff on Thursday night.

The Eagles are accustomed to the big occasions on the continental stage, whilst the Hincesti Lions are looking to go further in a European competition than they have ever managed before.

We say: Ludogorets Razgrad 3-0 Petrocub Hincesti

After the embarrassing nature of their exit from the Champions League earlier in the month, Ludogorets should be raring to put Petrocub to the sword on Thursday night.

The Hincesti Lions did well to keep a clean sheet in both matches against The New Saints, but the attack of the Eagles is likely to prove too strong for the visitors to Huvepharma Arena.

Ferencvaros vs. Borac Banja Luka (Thursday, 7.00pm)

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

The home side were knocked out of the third round of the Champions League qualifiers by FC Midtjylland, while the visitors beat PAOK in the third round of the Europa League qualifiers.

We say: Ferencvaros 2-1 Borac Banja Luka

It would not be surprising if Thursday's match was a close affair, with both sides creating opportunities against somewhat vulnerable defences.

However, Ferencvaros' performance in the second leg against Midtjylland was promising, and if they can replicate aspects of that showing against Borac Banja Luka, then they should be considered favourites.

Lugano vs. Besiktas (Thursday, 7.30pm)

Turkish giants Besiktas travel to Switzerland to face Lugano at the Stockhorn Arena for the first leg of their Europa League playoff tie on Thursday night.

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

We say: Lugano 1-3 Besiktas

Both sides have looked strong in front of goal at the start of this season, so we could be in for a contest filled with final-third action. However, considering the form of Besiktas and the strength that they have throughout their squad, we believe that they will find a way to prevail in the first leg.

Dinamo Minsk vs. Anderlecht (Thursday, 7.45pm)

Kicking off their latest continental campaign in the Europa League playoffs, Anderlecht meet Dinamo Minsk on Thursday.

The teams convene in Hungary, as they play the first leg of a tie that will decide who makes the competition's new-look group phase; meanwhile, the loser must drop down to the Conference League.

We say: Dinamo Minsk 1-2 Anderlecht

Unable to host their home games in Belarus due to the war in Ukraine, Dinamo may suffer defeat in a first leg effectively held on neutral turf: Anderlecht have started impressively this season and should find the net more than once.

Jagiellonia vs. Ajax (Thursday, 7.45pm)

Following their dramatic penalty-shootout exploits in the previous round, Ajax play the first leg of their Europa League playoff on Thursday, when Jagiellonia Bialystok welcome the Dutch club to Poland.

It took some 34 penalties to decide Ajax's third-round qualifying tie with Panathinaikos, while Jagiellonia were sent packing from the Champions League by Bodo/Glimt.

We say: Jagiellonia Bialystok 1-1 Ajax

The Polish champions may have faltered over the past few days, but they are more than capable of competing with an Ajax side still searching for its identity.

Given defensive frailties on both sides, a score draw could be on the cards this week, setting up an intriguing return in Amsterdam.

Braga vs. Rapid Vienna (Thursday, 8.30pm)

Both looking to secure their spot in the league phase of UEFA's second-tier club competition, Braga and Rapid Vienna will clash at Estadio Municipal de Braga on Thursday night in the Europa League playoffs.

The Archbishops are coming into this match following a positive start to the term, whilst the Green and Whites are also shaping up nicely this summer.

We say: Braga 2-1 Rapid Vienna

Enjoying a flying start to their competitive action this summer, Braga should be confident of recording a win in front of their home faithful on Thursday night.

Rapid Vienna are also unbeaten so far this season but are set to face a difficult assignment as they travel to the base of the Archbishops for the first leg.