Thursday's Europa League predictions including Maribor vs. Botev Plovdiv

KF Llapi vs. Wisla Krakow (Thursday, 3.30pm)

KF Llapi will aim to overturn their first-leg defeat when they host Wisla Krakow at the Stadiumi i Qytetit in the Europa League first qualifying round second leg on Thursday.

The Kosovan side fell to a 2-0 loss when the two sides matched up in Poland in last week's opening fixture, leaving Thursday's visitors in the driving seat.

We say: KF Llapi 1-1 Wisla Krakow (Wisla Krakow win 3-1 on aggregate)

The visitors showcased their quality in the first leg and will likely look to defend their lead in this game, and with the hosts drawing in each of their last two home games in European ties, we expect this one to also end all square.

Tobol vs. Ruzomberok (Thursday, 4.00pm)

Tobol are set to play host to MFK Ruzomberok at the Ortaliq Stadion on Thursday, tasked with overturning a substantial deficit from a heavy defeat in the first leg.

The hosts were on the wrong end of a 5-2 scoreline when they travelled to Slovakia last week, leaving the visitors with the upper hand heading into this game.

We say: Tobol 2-2 MFK Ruzomberok (MFK Ruzomberok win 7-4 on aggregate)

Tobol are likely to be on the offensive in this game as they aim to overturn a three-goal deficit, and after an action-packed first leg, we expect this one to follow a similar trend with plenty of goals, with Ruzomberok ultimately advancing.

Pafos vs. Elfsborg (Thursday, 5.00pm)

With a mountain to climb following a disastrous first leg, Pafos FC will welcome Elfsborg to Alphamega Stadium for the second leg of their Europa League first-round qualifier on Thursday night.

The Cypriots are looking to overturn a three-goal deficit created last week, meaning that the Yellow Ones are overwhelming favourites to advance into the next round.

We say: Pafos FC 2-1 Elfsborg (Elfsborg win 4-2 on aggregate)

Pafos need to score three goals without reply just to take the game into extra time, but we cannot envisage such a scenario given that Elfsborg have netted 11 times in their last three matches.

The Yellow Ones are not amazing on the road typically and could lose on the night, but the Swedes have a large enough lead on aggregate to cruise into the next stage.

Zira FK vs. Sheriff Tiraspol (Thursday, 5.00pm)

Looking to overturn a one-goal deficit and advance into the next stage, Sheriff Tiraspol will travel to Zira FK on Thursday night for the second leg of their Europa League first-round qualifying clash.

The Eagles picked up a surprise 1-0 victory in Moldova last week, when European veterans Sheriff were taught a lesson by relative newcomers to the continental scene.

We say: Zira FK 1-1 Sheriff Tiraspol (Zira win 2-1 on aggregate)

After recording a solid win in the first leg, Zira will be confident of keeping the clean sheet at home required to book their spot in the next stage of the Europa League.

Sheriff will be desperate to avoid an embarrassing first-round exit given their recent European pedigree, but we feel that the Moldovans will endure a frustrating night in Azerbaijan.

Corvinul Hunedoara vs. Paksi SE (Thursday, 7.00pm)

Corvinul Hunedoara will be looking to get over the line in the second leg of their Europa League second qualifying round tie with Paksi SE on Thursday evening.

The Romanian side emerged victorious by a 4-0 scoreline when the two sides squared off in Hungary in last week's opening fixture.

We say: Corvinul Hunedoara 2-0 Paksi SE (Corvinul Hunedoara to win 6-0 on aggregate)

In theory, this tie feels as good as over, and it may lead to the home side going through the motions to a certain extent. Nevertheless, we still expect the Romanian outfit to earn a comfortable victory on Thursday evening.

Maribor vs. Botev Plovdiv (Thursday, 7.15pm)

Bulgarian outfit Botev Plovdiv will travel to Slovenia for Thursday's Europa League qualifying clash against Maribor.

The visitors have a slight edge ahead of the second leg after claiming a 2-1 victory in the home leg of the first-round qualifying tie.

We say: Maribor 1-1 Botev Plovdiv (Botev Plovdiv win 3-2 on aggregate)

Botev Plovdiv have lost just two of their previous eight European away games, and we think they will produce another strong away performance to hold Maribor to a draw and advance to the next stage of Europa League qualifying.