Thursday's Europa League predictions including Fenerbahce vs. Man United

Frankfurt vs. RFS (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Striving to keep their unbeaten record in the league phase intact, Eintracht Frankfurt will host Rigas Futbola Skola at Deutsche Bank Park in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Die Adler have stuttered in the Bundesliga since their last continental match, and similar can be said of RFS, who are struggling with inconsistency on the domestic scene.

We say: Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 Rigas Futbola Skola

After testing their Bundesliga credentials against Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen over recent weeks, Eintracht Frankfurt should be ready to put RFS to the sword on Thursday night.

The continental minnows from Riga upset the apple cart by drawing with Galatasaray earlier in the month, but we feel that the visitors will be unable to repeat the trick on German soil in this one.

Midtjylland vs. Union SG (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Looking to keep their unbeaten record in the league phase intact, FC Midtjylland will welcome Belgian outfit Union SG to MCH Arena for a Europa League battle on Thursday evening.

The Wolves have endured a poor run of domestic form in the build-up to this continental contest, whilst Les Unionistes are experiencing a winless run.

We say: FC Midtjylland 1-1 Union SG

With both sides struggling in their respective domestic leagues over recent weeks, we are expecting a close-fought affair on Thursday night at MCH Arena.

Midtjylland have home advantage but also a raft of injury concerns, so we feel that Union SG can snatch a point on their continental travels.

Ferencvaros vs. Nice (Thursday, 5.45pm)

A Nice side without a win in five games make the trip to the Hungarian capital to face Ferencvaros in the Europa League on Thursday.

After a stunning win over Saint-Etienne last month, the French side have been unable to build on that impressive performance, and will seek a first European win of the season here.

We say: Ferencvaros 1-1 Nice

Having only avoided defeat twice in their last 15 away games in this competition, Nice are woeful travellers in Europe, and their winless run could well continue here.

Ferencvaros are yet to get off the mark, but fought well against Spurs last time out and are capable of giving Nice a few problems to think about, despite being the underdogs on paper.

M. Tel Aviv vs. Real Sociedad (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Real Sociedad will look to claim their first win of the Europa League main draw when face Maccabi Tel Aviv in Beograd on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Maccabi are still waiting to get on the board after losing their opening two matches of the league phase.

We say: Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-1 Real Sociedad

With the game taking place in Serbia, the contest may feel more like a neutral fixture rather than a Maccabi home game.

While that could work in Real Sociedad's favour, the visitors have failed to claim consecutive victories this season, and we think that inconsistency could continue with a draw in Thursday's contest.

PAOK vs. Plzen (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Two teams still searching for their first win in the 2024-25 Europa League square off in Greece on Thursday evening, as PAOK play host to Viktoria Plzen at Stadio Toumbas.

While Plzen have collected just two points from their opening two games in the league phase of the competition, PAOK are yet to pick up a single point.

We say: PAOK 1-1 Viktoria Plzen

PAOK will view Thursday's fixture as a good opportunity to secure their first Europa League victory of the season, but Viktoria Plzen have made themselves difficult to beat on the continent, winning 15 and drawing seven of their last 22 European matches (including qualifiers), and we can see the Czech side claiming at least a share of the spoils in Greece.

Qarabag vs. Ajax (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Dutch giants Ajax travel to the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium to lock horns with Azerbaijani champions Qarabag FK in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

While Ajax have collected four points from their opening two games in the league phase of the competition, Qarabag are yet to pick up a single point.

We say: Qarabag FK 1-2 Ajax

Both teams have looked strong on the domestic front so far this season, but Ajax have fared better on the continent and they will be regarded as favourites to come out on top against Qarabag.

The hosts have the firepower to cause Ajax problems in the final third, but we are backing the Dutch giants to outscore their opponents and secure their third successive win in all competitions.

Roma vs. Dynamo Kiev (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Two teams seeking their first win in this season's Europa League will clash at Stadio Olimpico on Thursday evening, as Roma host Dynamo Kiev.

While the Giallorossi were humbled in Sweden last time out, their Ukrainian counterparts suffered a second straight defeat, so both need points to start climbing the league-phase table.

We say: Roma 2-1 Dynamo Kiev

Roma had scored in their previous 24 Serie A home matches ahead of Sunday's 1-0 defeat, so they should certainly find their way past a shaky Dynamo defence.

The visitors not only struggle to keep the back door shut, but history is not on their side either: the Kyiv club have won just once in 13 visits to Italy - though that was a 3-0 victory over none other than Roma in September 2004.

Athletic Bilbao vs. Slavia Prague (Thursday, 8.00pm)

On Thursday, Athletic Bilbao will welcome Slavia Prague to San Mames for their third match of the Europa League main draw.

The two sides will be looking to maintain their unbeaten starts to the group phase after taking four points from their opening two matches.

We say: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Slavia Prague

Slavia have proven to be a tough team to beat in recent times, and we think they will provide Athletic with a tough test in Thursday's Europa League clash.

However, Athletic tend to be a strong force at San Mames, and we think that home advantage will help them claim a narrow victory on matchday three.

Porto vs. Hoffenheim (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Portuguese giants Porto are set to host German side Hoffenheim in their third Europa League game of the league phase on Thursday at Estadio Do Dragao.

The hosts are 25th of the 36 teams in the table with just one point from two matches, while the away side are seventh with four points and beat Dynamo Kiev 2-0 in their last match in the competition on October 3.

We say: Porto 2-0 Hoffenheim

Despite Porto having struggled recently at home in the Europa League, their overall form at Estadio Do Dragao is outstanding and they should come into Thursday's game as favourites.

Additionally, considering Hoffenheim have numerous injury issues and have been poor away from home for some time, it would not be surprising if they lost.

FC Twente vs. Lazio (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Hoping to topple early Europa League leaders Lazio, winless FC Twente will welcome the Italian side to De Grolsch Veste on Thursday evening.

While the Tukkers have taken two points from as many games so far, their rivals from Rome are top of the table following back-to-back wins.

We say: FC Twente 2-2 Lazio

Having been handed a tough start to their fixture list, Twente may have to settle for a third successive Europa League draw.

Lazio have scored fairly freely this season - particularly in Europe - and it could develop into an open encounter, with the spoils ultimately shared.

Fenerbahce vs. Man Utd (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Jose Mourinho will renew acquaintances with Manchester United on Thursday night when his Fenerbahce outfit welcome the Red Devils to the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium for a Europa League clash.

The two teams meet for the first time since November 2016 when Mourinho was in charge of Man United and suffered a 2-1 away defeat to the Turkish giants in the Europa League group stage.

We say: Fenerbahce 2-2 Manchester United

A closely-fought contest between two teams who will not be at full strength could be in store on Thursday, and goals can also be expected considering the inconsistent defensive performances of both clubs in recent matches.

Man United have not won any of their last four European away games despite scoring three goals on each occasion. With that in mind, we can see Mourinho's men holding firm to claim at least a share of the spoils in Istanbul.

> Who will replace suspended Fernandes? Predicted Man United lineup vs. Fenerbahce

> Ex-Red Devils Fred, Amrabat to start? Predicted Fenerbahce lineup vs. Man United

> Yoro, Mainoo, Maguire, Casemiro latest: Man United injury list for Fenerbahce clash

> Jose Mourinho's record vs. Man United

Lyon vs. Besiktas (Thursday, 8.00pm)

In-form Lyon will welcome a Besiktas side currently bottom of the Europa League's 36-team table to the Groupama Stadium on Thursday night.

Pierre Sage's side extended their winning run to five games with a convincing victory over Le Havre at the weekend, and have won both of their games on the continent so far.

We say: Lyon 3-0 Besiktas

Lyon appear unstoppable at present, and are favourites to make it six wins a row here against the team currently bottom of the Europa League standings.

Despite great form domestically, Besiktas have been utterly outclassed by Ajax and Frankfurt so far, and now have to face one of the most in-form sides in Europe.

Malmo vs. Olympiacos (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Both aiming to earn their second wins of the revamped League Phase, Malmo and Olympiacos will clash at Eleda Stadion in the Europa League on Thursday night.

The Sky Blues shared the spoils domestically last time out prior to this continental clash, and the same can be said of Thrylos from a four-goal thriller on the weekend.

We say: Malmo 1-2 Olympiacos

With the Swedish title all but wrapped up, Malmo can pile their full focus onto Thursday night's Europa League clash with Olympiacos at Eleda Stadion.