Thursday's Europa League predictions including Toulouse vs. Liverpool

Rennes vs. Panathinaikos (Thursday, 5.45pm)

It's a battle of the top two in Group F of this season's Europa League, with French side Rennes hosting Greek giants Panathinaikos at Roazhon Park on Thursday night.

The Ligue 1 club have struggled in their domestic fixtures since the October international break, whilst Panathinaikos come into this clash following an impressive run of form.

We say: Rennes 2-1 Panathinaikos

Rennes have struggled to live up to the standards they set last season, however Genesio's men are still in a brilliant position to qualify into the knockout stages of the Europa League.

Panathinaikos have enjoyed an impressive run of results domestically, but we feel the Greek Super League leaders will be slightly outclassed at Roazhon Park on Thursday.

Maccabi Haifa vs. Villarreal (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Both looking to keep their European dreams on track, Maccabi Haifa will host Spanish outfit Villarreal at the AEK Arena in Larnaca on Thursday night in the Europa League.

The Israeli side return to competitive action for the first time in over a month in this one, while the Yellow Submarine are pondering another change of management following a poor recent run.

We say: Maccabi Haifa 1-3 Villarreal

After not featuring in a competitive fixture since early October, it is safe to say that Maccabi Haifa could be slow out of the blocks at their temporary home in Larnaca on Thursday.

Villarreal are in a transitional period and do not travel to Cyprus in impressive form, but the offensive threat of Moreno and Sorloth should be enough to secure a much-needed maximum.

Servette vs. Sheriff Tiraspol (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Serviette and Sheriff Tiraspol will both go in search of first wins of the Europa League group stage campaign on Thursday, when they meet in Switzerland.

Following their draw in the reverse fixture last time out, the sides are tied on one point from three outings and will aim to gain an edge in the fight for top-three places heading into the final two rounds of games.

We say: Servette 3-1 Sheriff Tiraspol

Despite being held to a draw by the same opponents away from home, Servette should fancy themselves as a stronger outfit than Thursday's visitors, and with home advantage in Switzerland they should have what it takes to get over the line and move clear in third place.

Slavia Prague vs. Roma (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Roma will aim to continue their perfect record in the 2023-24 Europa League campaign on Thursday, when they travel to take on Slavia Prague in the fourth round of group fixtures.

The visitors have won each of their opening three games and will aim to guarantee a place in the round of 16 with a fourth straight victory, while their hosts are only three points worse off and are also fighting for guaranteed progression to the last 16.

We say: Slavia Prague 0-2 Roma

Thursday certainly presents Roma's toughest test of the group stage thus far, but they should take confidence from their victory over Slavia Prague in their previous meeting in Italy, and we fancy them to come out on top again this week thanks to the superior quality throughout their squad.

Qarabag vs. B. Leverkusen (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Bayer Leverkusen make the long trip to face Qarabag FK in the Europa League on Thursday night looking to secure their progress through to the knockout stages.

However, with the home side sitting just three points adrift of the Bundesliga giants in Group H, they can leave the top-two positions in doubt heading into the final two fixtures.

We say: Qarabag FK 1-4 Bayer Leverkusen

While Qarabag are capable of defeating the majority of opposition on home territory, they may struggle to contain a free-flowing Leverkusen. We feel that the visitors will make a fast start to this contest and ultimately cruise to victory and qualification in the process.

Ajax vs. Brighton (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Having turned a corner after a nightmarish start to the new season, Ajax seek a third victory on the bounce when Brighton & Hove Albion visit the Johan Cruyff Arena for Thursday's Europa League Group B tie.

The Dutch giants will also endeavour to avenge last month's defeat to the Seagulls, who saw off the hosts 2-0 at the Amex to claim a maiden continental win at the third attempt.

We say: Ajax 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion

Since locking horns on England's South Coast two weeks ago, Ajax have been on an upward trajectory under their new manager, while Brighton have hit a Premier League plateau amid their raft of injuries.

As such, replicating their previous success over the Sons of the Gods may be a bridge too far for the under-performing visitors, although a point would be enough to keep Van 't Schip's men off the podium places for the time being.

LASK vs. Union SG (Thursday, 5.45pm)

At risk of being sent packing from continental competition entirely, LASK Linz prepare for battle against Union SG in Europa League Group E at the Raiffeisen Arena on Thursday evening.

The Austrian crop fell to a 2-1 loss to their Belgian counterparts on matchday three, leaving them at the foot of the section and their visitors two places and four points better off.

We say: LASK Linz 1-1 Union SG

With uncertainty lingering over Amoura's availability, Union SG may not make lightning strike twice against LASK Linz, who could count themselves unfortunate not to come away with at least a draw on matchday three.

The visitors' multiple-goal streak could very well be snapped at the Raiffeisen Arena, while their perennial defensive woes should open the door for LASK Linz to finally put a point on the board and prolong their continental adventure for a little while longer.

Toulouse vs. Liverpool (Thursday, 5.45pm)

With victory over Toulouse at Stadium Municipal on Thursday evening, Liverpool will assure themselves of a top-two finish in Europa League Group E with a pair of matches to spare.

The Reds battered the Coupe de France winners 5-1 during their showdown at Anfield two weeks ago, leaving the French side third in the section with four points to their name at the halfway mark.

We say: Toulouse 1-3 Liverpool

A rocking Stadium Municipal atmosphere could potentially spell danger for a second-string Liverpool backline, but Toulouse's lingering defensive concerns are set to prove costly once again.

The Reds may have left a lot to be desired at Kenilworth Road, but a refreshed set of attacking options should help to maintain their 100% continental start, even if the margin of victory is not as emphatic as it was a fortnight ago.

> How Liverpool could line up against Toulouse

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Hacken vs. Molde (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Hacken play host to Molde on Thursday knowing that only a victory will realistically do if they wish to keep their hopes of qualification for the Europa League knockout stages alive.

Meanwhile, Molde make the short trip to Sweden aware that recording a second successive win over Hacken will guarantee third spot and Europa Conference League football after Christmas as a bare minimum.

We say: Hacken 1-2 Molde

Given the manner of their defeat in the reverse fixture, this feels like an uphill task for Hacken, particularly when they must throw caution to the wind. With that in mind, we are backing Molde to come out on top, albeit by a narrower scoreline compared to two weeks ago.

Freiburg vs. Backa Topola (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Freiburg welcome UEFA group stage debutants Backa Topola to Europa-Park in the Europa League on Thursday.

The Bundesliga side came from behind to win 3-1 in the reverse fixture two weeks ago on their first ever trip to Serbia.

We say: Freiburg 3-0 Backa Topola

Streich should not need to go with a full-strength side to pick up three points here, but if matchday three's hat-trick hero Grifo starts, then another healthy scoreline could be in the offing.

TSC may need a win to keep any realistic hope of progression alive, even as a third-place Europa Conference League entrant, but this task looks insurmountable for the Serbian runners-up.

West Ham vs. Olympiacos (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Olympiacos return to England for the seventh time in five seasons when they face West Ham United at the London Stadium in the Europa League on Thursday.

The Greek side recorded an impressive 2-1 win over the Hammers in the reverse fixture on matchday three to blow Group A wide open, ending West Ham's English-record 17-game unbeaten run in Europe.

We say: West Ham United 3-1 Olympiacos

The West Ham faithful will be in expectant mood that they can turn the tide on a poor recent run of form, despite losing to the Greeks in Piraeus two weeks ago.

Olympiacos will cause West Ham problems with the abundance of attacking talent in their side, namely Fortounis and Daniel Podence, but the Hammers have been superb on home soil in Europe over the past two-and-a-half years and are favourites here.

AEK Athens vs. Marseille (Thursday, 8.00pm)

The Agia Sophia Stadium plays host to a top-of-the-table clash in Europa League Group E on Thursday, as AEK Athens pit their wits against Marseille.

The French outfit overtook their rivals at the top of the section with a 3-1 win at the Orange Velodrome in October, but only one point separates the two last-16 hopefuls.

We say: AEK Athens 0-1 Marseille

High-scoring, end-to-end encounters have been commonplace in Europa League Group E so far, but we can envisage a more low-key affair in Athens, particularly given Marseille's troubles in the final third domestically.

Almeyda's side do not tend to concede many goals either, but with several attacking stars primed to make an impact off the bench, we expect Gattuso's men to make the long journey worthwhile.

Betis vs. Aris Limassol (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Two teams at opposite ends of the Europa League Group C table will meet on Thursday night as the current leaders Real Betis will host bottom-placed Aris Limassol.