Thursday's Europa League predictions including Man Utd vs. PAOK

Bodo/Glimt vs. Qarabag (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt will look to maintain their brilliant start in the Europa League when they welcome Azeri champions Qarabag FK to the Arctic Circle on Thursday.

Always stronger at home, Kjetil Knutsen's side have even been excellent away in the league phase so far, and look on course to reach the knockout stage as we approach the midway point.

We say: Bodo/Glimt 2-0 Qarabag FK

With 25 wins in their last 31 home games, Bodo/Glimt are near-invincible in the Arctic Circle in Europe, while Qarabag are often poor travellers and have made a very disappointing start to their continental campaign.

One positive facet for the away side is that they are unbeaten in five previous meetings with Norwegian sides, and drew 2-2 with Molde on their last visit to the country a year ago, however this is a much tougher venue, and a win is needed.

Frankfurt vs. Slavia Prague (Thursday, 5.45pm)

In their fourth Europa League game of the 2024-25 season, Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt will look to continue their strong European campaign when they host Czech First League team Slavia Prague at Deutsche Bank Park on Thursday.

The German team are fifth in the Europa League table with seven points and occupy one of the competition's eight automatic qualifying spots for the round of 16, while the visitors are 15th with four points and lost 1-0 against Athletic Bilbao on October 24.

We say: Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1 Slavia Prague

Eintracht Frankfurt are in good form and their strong home record should make them favourites to win on Thursday.

However, Slavia Prague will likely have opportunities in the final third given their hosts' poor defensive showings in the Europa League, and it would not be surprising if they scored at least once.

Elfsborg vs. Braga (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Swedish outfit Elfsborg welcome Portuguese side Braga to the Boras Arena for a Europa League fixture on Thursday evening.

Both teams are languishing in the bottom half of the 36-team table having picked up three points from their opening three matches.

We say: Elfsborg 2-2 Braga

Goals are to be expected in this fixture on Thursday; while the net has rippled at least three times in nine of Braga's last 10 matches, there have been at least three goals scored in seven of Elfsborg's last nine games.

Both teams will fancy their chances of coming out on top in this one and claiming three valuable Europa League points, but it is difficult to separate them at present, so the spoils may be shared on this occasion.

FCSB vs. Midtjylland (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Romanian champions FCSB are set to host Danish champions FC Midtjylland in their fourth Europa League game of the season on Thursday at Arena Nationala.

The home team are 12th with six points in the Europa League table and lost 4-0 against Rangers on October 24, while the visitors are sixth with seven points after three matchweeks and beat Union SG 1-0 on October 24.

We say: FCSB 2-1 FC Midtjylland

Midtjylland do not boast the strongest away record in the Europa League, and given their struggles of late, it would not be surprising if they dropped points on the road once again.

Additionally, FCSB have been difficult to beat at home, and they should come into Thursday's clash as favourites.

Galatasaray vs. Spurs (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Seeking to make it four wins from four in the Europa League, Tottenham Hotspur travel to Istanbul to face Galatasaray at Rams Park on Thursday evening.

While Spurs currently sit second in the 36-team table, Galatasaray are only three places and two points further back in fifth spot.

We say: Galatasaray 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Both teams enter Thursday's contest in buoyant mood and will fancy their chances of success, especially Galatasaray in front of a raucous home crowd that will create a hostile atmosphere for Spurs.

Considering Postecoglou could be missing his first-choice centre-back paring and may look to rotate in a few other positions, we can see Galatasaray taking advantage of that and securing at least a point in Istanbul, ending Spurs' perfect Europa League start.

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Ludogorets vs. Athletic Bilbao (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Athletic Bilbao will travel to Bulgaria for Thursday's Europa League clash against Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad.

The hosts are languishing down in 33rd place in the standings, while the Basque side are currently sitting in eighth position.

We say: Ludogorets Razgrad 1-1 Athletic Bilbao

Athletic may be unbeaten in four competitive matches, but they have failed to any of their last three away matches, and with that in mind, we think that the Basque side will have to settle for a point from Thursday's trip to Bulgaria.

Nice vs. FC Twente (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Two sides struggling at the start of the league phase of the Europa League meet on the South Coast of France on Thursday, when Nice host FC Twente.

Neither side are yet to taste victory after three matches and will find themselves playing catch up if that extends beyond the halfway point.

We say: Nice 2-1 FC Twente

Both sides are looking to end woeful runs in the Europa League, as Nice have lost 10 in 12 and Twente are winless in 10, but both come into the game on the back of two straight league wins.

Nice's young attacking talent is exciting on the eye, and with a quality manager in the dugout and home advantage, they will be fancied to take their first three points of the league phase here.

Olympiacos vs. Rangers (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Together on six points in the Europa League standings, last year's Conference League champions Olympiacos and Glasgow giants Rangers will lock horns on Thursday evening.

Both teams are just outside the automatic qualifying spots with three games played in the league phase - but both are performing below par on the domestic scene.

We say: Olympiacos 2-0 Rangers

As Olympiacos are unbeaten at home, and Rangers are rarely at their best away from Ibrox, the hosts should prevail in this Europa League contest.

Blessed with a more potent attack - plus a tried and tested formula in Europe - the Greek giants are set to stride closer to the knockout phase.

Union SG vs. Roma (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Amid more turmoil off the pitch, Roma resume their Europa League campaign on Thursday, when they meet Union SG at Stade Roi Baudouin.

The Italian side are struggling in Serie A and have won only once in Europe, while their hosts have picked up just one point from three games so far.

We say: Union SG 0-1 Roma

Roma have completed the most passes and are averaging the most possession (66%) in the Europa League this season but have failed to make such supremacy count.

Meeting a goal-shy Union SG side could help in that regard, as one moment of magic may be enough to secure the Giallorossi's first away win in the league phase.

Ajax vs. M. Tel Aviv (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Dutch giants Ajax are set to host Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday at Johan Cruijff ArenA in their fourth Europa League game of the season.

The hosts are fourth in the Europa League table with seven points from their three games and beat Qarabag FK 3-0 on October 24, whereas the away side are third last in 34th place and lost 2-1 against Real Sociedad on October 24.

We say: Ajax 3-1 Maccabi Tel Aviv

It is difficult to ignore Ajax's strong home form and good overall showings in the Europa League so far, and they should be favourites on Thursday.

It would not be surprising if the hosts scored multiple goals against Maccabi Tel Aviv given the visitors have struggled away from home recently.

AZ vs. Fenerbahce (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce travel to the Netherlands to take on AZ Alkmaar in their fourth fixture of the 2024-25 Europa League on Thursday night.

The two teams meet for the first time since the 2006-07 campaign when Fenerbahce were eliminated in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup via the away goals rule, after drawing 5-5 on aggregate (3-3 at home and 2-2 away).

We say: AZ Alkmaar 1-2 Fenerbahce

These two teams enter Thursday's match in contrasting form and the momentum is certainly with Fenerbahce, who will be regarded as favourites to come out on top in this one.

Although AZ will back themselves to score for the 13th successive home match, Mourinho is expected to field a strong side and we can see the Yellow Canaries outscoring their Dutch opponents at AFAS Stadion.

Dynamo Kiev vs. Ferencvaros (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Looking to record their first win of the League Phase at the fourth attempt, Dynamo Kiev will welcome Hungarian giants Ferencvaros to Volksparkstadion in Hamburg for a Europa League clash on Thursday night.

The Blue and Whites have enjoyed a good run of domestic form heading into this continental clash, whilst the Greens have failed to convert dominant performances into maximum points in recent times.

We say: Dynamo Kiev 2-2 Ferencvaros

Both failing to keep clean sheets in their respective domestic matches since their most recent Europa League outings, we are expecting a goal-laden affair between Dynamo Kiev and Ferencvaros on Thursday night.

The Blue and Whites will be targeting this fixture as a good chance to earn their maiden victory of the League Phase, although we feel that the Hungarians should be good enough to force a share of the points at Volksparkstadion.

Lazio vs. Porto (Thursday, 8.00pm)

In one of the standout fixtures of matchday four in the Europa League, Vitor Bruno will take his Porto side to the Italian capital to face Lazio on Thursday night.

Lazio sit top of the 36-team standings after three games, and despite a sluggish start on the continent, Porto are now in supreme form themselves.