Thursday's Europa League predictions including Olympiacos vs. Slovan Bratislava

Malmo vs. Dudelange (Thursday, 6.00pm)

Two Champions League drop-outs meet on Thursday, as Malmo welcome Luxembourg's F91 Dudelange to Eleda Stadion in the third qualifying round of the Europa League.

While the Swedish champions were dumped out by Lithuanian side Zalgiris, their opponents let a first-leg lead slip and were also demoted to Europe's second-tier competition.

We say: Malmo 2-1 F91 Dudelange

While it cannot be ruled out that Malmo's woes could continue against another unassuming opponent this week, a squad with plenty of European experience should take at least a one-goal lead to Luxembourg.

Dudelange can be vulnerable defensively, as evidenced by their second-half collapse last time out, and are likely to concede more than once.

Fenerbahce vs. Slovacko (Thursday, 6.00pm)

Fenerbahce will be looking to claim an advantage when they welcome FC Slovacko to Istanbul for the first leg of their third qualifying round Europa League contest on Thursday night.

The Turkish giants lost to Dynamo Kiev in the second qualifying round for the Champions League, which has seen them drop into the Europa League, while Slovacko secured their spot at this stage of the competition by finishing fourth in the Czech First League in 2021-22.

We say: Fenerbahce 2-0 FC Slovacko

Slovacko are certainly capable of causing problems on Thursday evening, but we are finding it really difficult to back against Fenerbahce in the first leg and indeed in the tie. Jesus's side will be keen to move on from their Champions League disappointment, and we are expecting them to win this fairly comfortably.

Linfield vs. FC Zurich (Thursday, 7.45pm)

Northern Irish outfit Linfield will welcome Swiss champions FC Zurich to Windsor Park for the first leg of their Europa League qualifier on Thursday night.

Both sides have dropped down from the Champions League qualifiers after suffering defeats on aggregate to Bodo/Glimt and Qarabag respectively last week.

We say: Linfield 1-1 FC Zurich

While Zurich will be regarded as the favourites for this encounter, Linfield should not be underestimated and have performed well on home soil in recent weeks.

A closely-fought contest is set to be played out on Thursday and both sides may settle for a score draw to keep themselves in the tie heading into next week's second leg.

Shamrock vs. Shkupi (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Shamrock Rovers will welcome Shkupi to Tallaght Stadium for the first leg of their Europa League qualifier on Thursday night.

Both teams have dropped down from the Champions League qualifiers after suffering defeats on aggregate to Ludogorets and Dinamo Zagreb respectively last week.

We say: Shamrock Rovers 1-1 Shkupi

With little to separate these two sides, a tight affair could be on the cards on Thursday, although Shamrock will fancy their chances of success considering their impressive unbeaten home record.

Shkupi performed well to claim a score draw against Dinamo Zagreb last month and we can see them forcing the Hoops to share the spoils in Dublin.

Olympiacos vs. Slovan Bratislava (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Two teams eliminated in the previous round of the Champions League will lock horns in the Europa League on Thursday, as Olympiacos welcome Slovan Bratislava for the first leg of their third qualifying round tie.

Olympiacos lost to Maccabi Haifa in the second qualifying round of the European Cup, while Bratislava were eliminated at the same stage of the same competition by Ferencvaros.

We say: Olympiacos 2-1 Slovan Bratislava

This has all of the makings of a very interesting two-legged affair, and we are expecting it to be close over the two fixtures. Olympiacos will have home advantage on Thursday, though, and we are backing them to secure a narrow advantage ahead of the second leg next week.