Thursday's Europa League predictions including Liverpool vs. Union SG

Freiburg vs. West Ham (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Freiburg and West Ham United square off on Thursday evening both looking to make it successive victories in the Europa League group stages.

The Bundesliga and Premier League outfits both overcame adversity to edge out Olympiacos and Backa Topola in their opening fixtures in Group A.

We say: Freiburg 2-2 West Ham United

While Freiburg have been far from perfect in the league during 2023-24, they have the quality to make an impact in this competition. West Ham may start as the marginal favourites, but he feel that the home side will do enough to earn a share of the spoils in an entertaining tussle.

Backa Topola vs. Olympiacos (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Backa Topola and Olympiacos do battle on Thursday evening looking to bounce back from Europa League defeats suffered on matchday one.

Both teams had their moments against West Ham United and Freiburg respectively before losing to their stronger opponents, leaving them in a position where they can ill-afford a further setback at the TSC Arena.

We say: Backa Topola 1-2 Olympiacos

With Backa Topola having showed their credentials against West Ham, this has all the makings of a closely-fought tussle. Nevertheless, the superior quality in the Olympiacos ranks may come to the fore, leading us to predict a narrow victory for the Greek giants.

Marseille vs. Brighton (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Brighton & Hove Albion travel to the Stade Velodrome in France to take on Marseille in their second Europa League group-stage fixture on Thursday night.

The two teams failed to claim maximum points in their opening Group B games two weeks ago, with the Seagulls losing their first-ever European match at home to AEK Athens, while Les Olympiens played out a thrilling six-goal draw with Ajax.

We say: Marseille 2-2 Brighton & Hove Albion

Both Marseille and Brighton have regularly looked a threat in the final third this season but have shown signs of weakness at the back, so an entertaining end-to-end contest could be on the cards on Thursday.

The two teams will be desperate to quickly put aside their recent setbacks on the domestic front, but they may have to settle for a share of the spoils on this occasion.

AEK Athens vs. Ajax (Thursday, 5.45pm)

AEK Athens and Ajax will be looking to bounce back from domestic defeats last time out when they do battle at the OPAP Arena in the Europa League group stage on Thursday night.

The hosts currently sit top of Group B after claiming all three points against Brighton & Hove Albion in gameweek one, while the visitors played out an entertaining six-goal draw with Marseille in their opening group fixture.

We say: AEK Athens 2-2 Ajax

AEK Athens will fancy their chances of claiming another scalp when they face an out-of-sorts Ajax side who have failed to win each of their last five games in all competitions, excluding the abandoned clash with RKC Waalwijk last weekend.

Considering the threat both teams will likely pose in attack, we can see an entertaining score draw played out in Greece.

Betis vs. Sparta Prague (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Real Betis will welcome Sparta Prague to the Estadio Benito Villamarin on Thursday in the second round of Europa League group-stage fixtures this season.

The two sides enjoyed differing starts to their continental campaigns last month, with the hosts falling to a defeat against Rangers and their visitors triumphing over Aris Limassol.

We say: Real Betis 2-0 Sparta Prague

Following their disappointing defeat in the opening group game, Real Betis will be keen to bounce back on Thursday, and with home advantage on their side, we fancy them to outclass the Czech visitors and put their first three points on the board.

Aris Limassol vs. Rangers (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Rangers will begin life without Michael Beale at the helm on Thursday, when they travel to take on Aris Limassol in the second round of group-stage fixtures in this year's Europa League.

The manager departed after a weekend defeat to Aberdeen with the Scottish outfit looking to make it back-to-back continental victories, while the hosts will go in search of their first points of the group after beginning with a defeat at the hands of Real Betis.

We say: Aris Limassol 1-2 Rangers

Rangers will be keen to bounce back after their tough start and the loss of Beale, and they should have enough to get past a brave Aris Limassol side who will make it tough in Cyprus.

Sporting Lisbon vs. Atalanta (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Sporting Lisbon and Atalanta BC will both fight to make it back-to-back Europa League group-stage wins on Thursday, when they do battle at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

The two sides kicked off their group campaigns with victories over Sturm Graz and Rakow Czestochowa and both head into Thursday's meeting on the back of positive league runs.

We say: Sporting Lisbon 2-1 Atalanta BC

The two sides both boast plenty of quality all over the pitch and will be keen to go top of the group with three points on Thursday.

We certainly anticipate a tight contest and just give the edge to Ruben Amorim's side on home soil.

Rakow vs. Sturm Graz (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Both looking for their first points of the Europa League group stage, Rakow Czestochowa and Sturm Graz will do battle in Poland in the second round of matches on Thursday.

The hosts began with a 2-0 defeat to Atalanta BC, while their visitors fell short against Sporting Lisbon, with both now looking to put a first win on the board in their bid to advance on the continent.

We say: Rakow Czestochowa 1-1 Sturm Graz

While Sturm Graz arguably boast more quality than their hosts and are more well-versed on the continental stage, Rakow will certainly be no pushovers, particularly in Poland, and we fancy them to score a first point from a low-scoring draw on home soil.

Villarreal vs. Rennes (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Villarreal take on Rennes at the Estadio de la Ceramica on Thursday evening, in their second match in Group F of the Europa League.

The hosts will be looking to bounce back from a loss in their opening game, while the visitors are hoping to make it two wins from two.

We say: Villarreal 1-1 Rennes

Villarreal have made a very poor start to the season, but they have recent experience of winning the Europa League, while home advantage could also be an important factor.

Given that Rennes have made a habit of drawing games so far this season, we expect the spoils to be shared on Thursday night.

Maccabi Haifa vs. Panathinaikos (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Maccabi Haifa are set to take on Panathinaikos for the very first time when they meet at the Sammy Ofer Stadium in Group F of the Europa League on Thursday night.

After losing their opening game against Rennes, the hosts are bottom of the group, while the visitors are up in second place thanks to a solid victory against Villarreal.

We say: Maccabi Haifa 1-1 Panathinaikos

Maccabi Haifa looked very poor away at Rennes in their opening Europa League game, while Panathinaikos picked up a solid 2-0 win against Villarreal.

However, given that the Israeli side have home advantage, they should be able to pick up at least a point, in what is the first-ever competitive meeting between the two clubs.

Roma vs. Servette (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Last season's Europa League finalists Roma welcome Servette to the Italian capital on matchday two on Thursday.

Jose Mourinho's side edged a narrow encounter with Sheriff Tiraspol on the opening matchday, while Servette lost on their group stage debut to Slavia Prague.

We say: Roma 3-1 Servette

Roma have underwhelmed massively so far, but like in the last two European campaigns, matches on the continent have provided much-needed respite.

Servette's start has arguably been even worse, and they are already playing catchup, and another defeat here will make progression seem extremely unlikely even at this early stage.

Slavia Prague vs. Sheriff Tiraspol (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Group G leaders Slavia Prague welcome Sheriff Tiraspol to the Fortuna Arena in the Europa League on Thursday.

The Moldovan champions were narrowly edged out by last year's finalists Roma on matchday one, while Slavia won convincingly in Geneva against Servette.

We say: Slavia Prague 2-0 Sheriff Tiraspol

Goals are not a common sight in Slavia games, even domestically where they often dominate and scored 98 goals in the league last season, as 10 of their last 12 outings have seen two goals or fewer.

Therefore, while Slavia are the favourites to come out on top, a narrow margin of victory is likely.

Hacken vs. Qarabag (Thursday, 8.00pm)

After suffering a defeat in the first Group H match in the Europa League, Hacken will be hoping to get some points on the board this Thursday when they host Qarabag FK.

The visitors did pick up three points in game week one, and have the chance to maintain their position in the top two with another victory this week.

We say: Hacken 1-2 Qarabag FK

Hacken had a tough start to their Europa League campaign during the opening game week, and while they are playing at home this time it could still be tough for them to pick up any points.

Qarabag FK have been strong in all competitions so far, and with their impressive defensive displays, they should be able to hold out and take three points.

Molde vs. B. Leverkusen (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Molde will search for their first victory in the Europa League group stage on Thursday evening when they host German outfit Bayer Leverkusen.

The visitors currently sit top of Group H following the first game week, and will be aiming to continue their perfect start to the competition.

We say: Molde 0-3 Bayer Leverkusen

Molde showed plenty of quality in the opening Europa League group game, but this will be a different kind of test against one of the strongest teams in the competition.