Thursday's Europa League predictions including Manchester United vs. Real Sociedad

FC Zurich vs. Arsenal (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Arsenal's next quest for Europa League glory kicks off on Thursday, as the Gunners travel to meet Swiss champions FC Zurich in Group A at Kybunpark.

Mikel Arteta's side earned a straightforward route into the group stage courtesy of finishing fifth in the Premier League, while their hosts failed to make it through Champions League qualifying.

We say: FC Zurich 0-2 Arsenal

While rotation can be expected on the visitors' end, Arteta will still put out a side capable of laying down a marker with an abundance of youthful talent, and the Gunners would have felt aggrieved to come away from Old Trafford with nothing to show from it.

In contrast, Zurich have made an abysmal start to their new domestic season, and despite performing better on the continent, we cannot envisage any other result than a comfortable away win for Arteta's side this week.

> How Arsenal could line up against FC Zurich

> Arsenal injury, suspension list vs. Zurich

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

PSV Eindhoven get their 2022-23 Europa League campaign underway on Thursday evening when they welcome Bodo/Glimt to the Philips Stadion.

The teams have been drawn in Group A of this year's tournament, where they will battle with Arsenal and FC Zurich for a place in the knockout stages.

We say: PSV Eindhoven 2-1 Bodo/Glimt

The teams boast a plethora of attacking talent, and we expect an open and end-to-end affair in this one. That said, we just about fancy PSV Eindhoven to see off the threat of their visitors and come away with a narrow win.

Larnaca vs. Rennes (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Ligue 1 powerhouses Rennes make the long journey to Cyprus to kick off their Europa League campaign against AEK Larnaca in Group B on Thursday night.

The hosts head into the contest at the AEK Arena - Georgios Karapatakis having suffered a 3-2 league defeat to Omonia at the weekend, while Bruno Genesio's team could only draw 1-1 with Troyes.

We say: AEK Larnaca 1-3 Rennes

A Larnaca side who have already demonstrated a prolific streak against European opposition should experience some joy in front of goal here, with Rennes likely to rotate and struggling to keep things tight at the back.

Working without Doku or Gouiri is not what the doctor ordered for Genesio either, but Les Rouge et Noir still possess the attacking nous necessary to get the job done on Thursday.

HJK Helsinki vs. Real Betis (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Real Betis will kick off their Europa League campaign with a trip to Finland on Thursday to take on HJK Helsinki in the first round of group-stage fixtures.

A Copa del Rey triumph saw the Seville outfit guarantee a place in the group while their hosts fought through qualifying to reach this stage.

We say: HJK Helsinki 1-3 Real Betis

Even if Real Betis make major rotations, they still have the quality and squad depth to see off the Finnish champions, and we see them returning to Spain with all three points.

Malmo vs. Braga (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Braga head into Thursday's Europa League fixture against Malmo looking to build on their excellent start to the new domestic campaign.

At a time when the visitors are second in Portugal's top flight, Malmo are all the way down in seventh position in the Swedish equivalent.

We say: Malmo 1-3 Braga

Despite their poor domestic campaign, Malmo will be motivated to make an impact on the continent in a game which they will regard as winnable. However, Braga are scoring too many goals right now, and we feel that the visitors should run out comfortable victors.

Man Utd vs. Real Sociedad (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Fresh from ending Arsenal's perfect start to the season, Manchester United begin their Europa League campaign in Group E versus Real Sociedad at Old Trafford on Thursday night.

The Red Devils saw off their capital counterparts 3-1 at the weekend, while their Spanish visitors claimed a point from a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in La Liga.

We say: Manchester United 1-0 Real Sociedad

Prolific performances have not been on the menu for Sociedad so far this season, and even if Ten Hag opts to rejig the pack in defence, Alguacil's side are fighting an uphill battle to trouble the Red Devils backline.

The visitors are still a tough nut to crack on their day, but the expected absence of Le Normand will be of major benefit to Man United, who should edge a tight contest for their fifth win on the bounce.

> How Man United could line up against Real Sociedad

> Man United injury, suspension list vs. Real Sociedad

Omonia vs. Sheriff Tiraspol (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Omonia and Sheriff Tiraspol will kickstart their Europa League campaigns this Thursday when they compete in the opening Group E match.

Both teams will be keen to start things off with three points, and each will head into this one with confidence following victories at the weekend.

We say: Omonia 1-2 Sheriff Tiraspol

These are two teams that will want to kickstart their Europa League campaign as strong as possible, and each team comes in with good performances already in their respective campaigns.

Sheriff Tiraspol have the momentum from the 2021-22 Champions League performances, and that is something that could be enough to help them in this one.

Sturm Graz vs. Midtjylland (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Sturm Graz take on FC Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday.

Both sides were knocked out at the group stage of last season's competition, so they will be hoping to improve on that this time around.

We say: Sturm Graz 1-2 FC Midtjylland

Neither side head into this fixture in the best of form, but the visitors do possess more individual quality and this could be the match which kick-starts Capellas's reign.

The hosts gained only two points from six games in last season's Europa League, so they may be lacking belief that they can compete at this level.

Freiburg vs. Qarabag FK (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Freiburg take on Qarabag FK in the Europa League on Thursday.

This will be Freiburg's first match in a European group stage since the 2013-14 season, when they finished third in Group H of the Europa League.

We say: Freiburg 1-0 Qarabag FK

Should Streich rotate his side, Freiburg could find this match tougher than many people may expect.

Qarabag have provided stubborn resistance to plenty of sides in Europe over the past decade, but we believe that the hosts will bag the three points with a narrow win.

Nantes vs. Olympiacos (Thursday, 8.00pm)

A taxing journey to the Stade de la Beaujoire awaits Olympiacos in their inaugural Europa League fixture of the year, as Nantes lie in wait in Group G on Thursday.

The two sides will also do battle with Qarabag and Freiburg in the coming months, with first place in the group surely in the sights of both teams.

We say: Nantes 1-2 Olympiacos

The next few games may determine whether Nantes are just experiencing a temporary blip or the dreaded second-season syndrome, but the signs are not too promising for Kombouare at present, and his side have very little experience on the continent.

In contrast, Olympiacos' crop is full of players who know what it takes to achieve success in European competition, and we expect Corberan's men to continue their hot streak in front of goal to make the long journey worthwhile.

Red Star vs. Monaco (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Red Star Belgrade host Monaco in the Europa League on Thursday.

Both sides reached the last-16 stage of this competition last season, and will have aspirations of going even further this time around.

We say: Red Star Belgrade 1-1 Monaco

These sides will likely show each other plenty of respect having both topped their groups in this competition last season.

As such, we would not be surprised if both settle for a share of the spoils should the game state be heading in that direction.

Ferencvaros vs. Trabzonspor (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Trabzonspor get their Europa League campaign underway on Thursday when they take a trip to the Groupama Arena to lock horns with Ferencvaros.

Both sides have been drawn into Group H of the competition, alongside Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade and French Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco.

We say: Ferencvaros 2-1 Trabzonspor

Ferencvaros and Trabzonspor head into the opening-day clash evenly-matched on paper and we expect a cagey affair at the Groupama Arena. However, Ferencvaros have been impressive in front of their home fans of late and we are backing them to make use of this advance once again to grind out a slender victory.