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

Olympiakos vs. Nantes (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Nantes head into their final match of the Europa League group stage in need of a victory on Thursday at Karaiskakis Stadium versus Olympiacos to have any hope of advancing into the knockout round.

The Greeks have just two points after five matches eliminating them from the competition, while Les Canaris are a point back of Qarabag for second in Group G after defeating the Azerbaijani side 2-1 on matchday five.

We say: Olympiacos 0-0 Nantes

They may be in contention to advance, but we anticipate Nantes will have a tough time getting through a Greek team who might slow the game down to a snail's pace and frustrate a side who, just like Olympiacos, have been poor in the attacking third.

Qarabag vs. Freiburg (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Qarabag FK welcome German high-flyers Freiburg to their temporary European home of the Tariq Bahramov Stadium in Baku for a crucial UEFA Europa League fixture for the Azeri champions.

Qurban Qurbanov's side can secure their place in the knockout round if they match or better the result of Nantes in Group G's other encounter.

We say: Qarabag FK 2-1 Freiburg

Freiburg, despite being by far the best team in the group, have nothing to play for and have important matters to attend to in the Bundesliga over the next week and a half, so are unlikely to take many first-team regulars to Azerbaijan.

Qarabag meanwhile, must win to ensure progression and rested many players at the weekend with all eyes on this game.

Trabzonspor vs. Ferencvaros (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Already qualified Ferencvaros travel to Turkey to face Trabzonspor in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, with a lot riding on the game for the hosts.

All three sides below Ferencvaros in Group H can still finish in any position in what looks like a devilishly difficult group to call.

We say: Trabzonspor 3-0 Ferencvaros

Trabzonspor are formidable at home and know they will potentially need a big scoreline in their favour in case the other result in the group does not go their way.

On the other hand, Ferencvaros have nothing riding on the game and are just playing for pride to extend their lead at the top of the group, and will probably take an under-strength side to Trabzon.

Monaco vs. Red Star (Thursday, 5.45pm)

The stakes are high for Monaco and Red Star Belgrade, who are both still in the hunt for a place in the next round of the Europa League when they face off at Stade Louis II on Thursday.

For Monaco, a victory would assure them of a knockout round playoff game at the very least, while Red Star need a win and a defeat or draw by Trabzonspor to move into a top-two position.

We say: Monaco 1-0 Red Star Belgrade

It might not be pretty, but Monaco always seem to find a way to make it beyond the group stage of these competitions, allowing a goal or fewer in their previous six matches played at Stade Louis II.

The Serbs have played well and perhaps deserved better at times in the group stage, but they have not been as creative or attack-minded in Europe as they are domestically.

Real Sociedad vs. Man Utd (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Top spot in Europa League Group E is on the line at the Anoeta Stadium on Thursday night, as Real Sociedad and Manchester United face off to learn their knockout destiny.

Imanol Alguacil's side hold a three-point lead over the Red Devils and simply need to avoid defeat on their own patch to consign the visitors to a knockout round playoff tie.

We say: Real Sociedad 0-2 Manchester United

With Sociedad heading into Thursday's game on the back of two disappointing domestic results and with a plethora of players missing through injury, the stage is set for Ten Hag's side to upset the apple cart.

Attacking absences should hit the hosts hard against a Man United team who have been a defensive force to be reckoned with in recent weeks, and we can picture the in-form Red Devils securing the two-goal margin they need to pip Sociedad to top spot.

> How Man United could line up against Real Sociedad

> Man United injury, suspension list vs. Real Sociedad

Sheriff Tiraspol vs. Omonia (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Sheriff Tiraspol take on Omonia at the Sheriff Stadium in Group E's final Europa League match on Thursday night.

Both teams have failed to qualify for the knockout stages, but Tiraspol just need to avoid a defeat by a margin of three goals to ensure that they enter Europe's tertiary competition, the Europa Conference League.

We say: Sheriff Tiraspol 2-0 Omonia

Tiraspol were comfortable winners in Cyprus, and they should be able to produce a similar performance on Thursday. With Omonia going so close to getting a point against Man United, we think that there will not be as much of a difference between the sides as last time, but the Moldovan side are still likely to win.

Midtjylland vs. Sturm Graz (Thursday, 5.45pm)

It is still all to play for in Group F, with FC Midtjylland hosting Sturm Graz at the MCH Arena, in a match where only one of the two teams can qualify for the Europa League knockout stages.

The home side will secure a top two finish if they win, while the away side only need to avoid a defeat to qualify for the next round.

We say: FC Midtjylland 1-1 Sturm Graz

It is no doubt going to be a tense affair, with so much on the line for both teams. Midtjylland will throw everything that they have at it late on, but we think Sturm Graz will hold on for a point, just about enough to get them through to the next round.

Feyenoord vs. Lazio (Thursday, 5.45pm)

As victory is the only route left open to the Europa League's knockout phase for Feyenoord, they will go all-out for three points on Thursday, when they host Group F rivals Lazio at De Kuip.

The Dutch side can only confirm their place in the top two if they win by two goals or more - or if they win and Sturm Graz lose - and could even finish top of a congested section if results go their way. Meanwhile, after beating Midtjylland last week, their Italian opponents merely have to avoid defeat.

We say: Feyenoord 2-2 Lazio

A couple of aberrations aside, Lazio have kept things tight at the back of late, so are well versed in keeping their opponents at bay. However, holding off a single-minded Feyenoord side at De Kuip will prove no simple matter, and some twists and turns could result in a suitably dramatic conclusion to Group F.

Arsenal vs. FC Zurich (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Having missed one opportunity to wrap up qualification for the last-16 of the Europa League, Arsenal will endeavour to seal top spot in Group A when FC Zurich visit the Emirates on Thursday night.

Mikel Arteta's charges remain first in the section despite going down 2-0 to PSV Eindhoven last week, while their Swiss counterparts can only reach the Europa Conference League at best.

We say: Arsenal 3-1 FC Zurich

Still with something to play for and buoyed by their recent pair of wins after such a miserable run in the late summer, Zurich should still prove to be a competitive opponent for Arsenal, whose win over the Swiss giants in September was not exactly convincing.

However, Arteta's rotated side are unlikely to be troubled to a great extent at their Emirates headquarters and can build on their emphatic showing at the weekend to make it through to the last-16.

> How Arsenal could line up against FC Zurich

> Arsenal injury, suspension list vs. Zurich

Bodo/Glimt vs. PSV (Thursday, 8.00pm)

PSV Eindhoven make the trip to Norway to take on Bodo/Glimt on Thursday evening knowing that they require a victory to retain hope of winning Group A.

At a time when PSV have already earned a spot in the Europa League knockout stages, their hosts need a win to guarantee third place and Europa Conference League football after Christmas.

We say: Bodo/Glimt 1-2 PSV Eindhoven

Having already held PSV to a draw in this tournament, Bodo/Glimt will believe that they can replicate that effort in front of their own supporters. Nevertheless, with PSV needing to push hard for all three points, we expect the visitors to claim an hard-earned win.

Dynamo Kiev vs. Fenerbahce (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Dynamo Kiev face Fenerbahce in Krakow on Thursday, as their respective UEFA Europa League group stage campaigns come to a close.

The hosts are already out, while Fenerbahce still have to make sure of top spot in Group B.

We say: Dynamo Kiev 1-4 Fenerbahce

Fenerbahce have been a goalscoring machine for much of the season, but have picked up even more in recent weeks.

Jesus knows his side will probably need to win by a few goals, so they will have to implement a very positive mentality from the outset against an out-of-form and already eliminated Dynamo Kiev.

Rennes vs. Larnaca (Thursday, 8.00pm)

In order to keep their hopes of moving directly into the Europa League round of 16 alive, Rennes will need a result on matchday six at Roazhon Park on Thursday when they host AEK Larnaca.

The French side are unbeaten in seven successive European home fixtures but trail Fenerbahce by a single goal for first place in Group B, while the only victory for AEK in the group-stage came away from home at Dynamo Kiev (1-0).

We say: Rennes 2-0 AEK Larnaca

Larnaca have proven they can compete, but it is hard to see them being able to shut out a side in Rennes with so many weapons in the attacking third, scoring in 17 consecutive matches in all competitions.

Betis vs. HJK Helsinki (Thursday, 8.00pm)

With a place in the last 16 already secured, Real Betis will look to maintain their unbeaten record in the Europa League when they welcome HJK Helsinki to the Estadio Benito Villamarin.

The visitors will finish bottom of Group C whatever the result is in Andalusia, but they will be motivated to record their first win of the competition.

We say: Real Betis 3-0 HJK Helsinki

Although Betis will rest a number of key players, we still think that they will cruise to a comfortable victory over HJK to maintain their unbeaten record in the Europa League.