Thursday's Europa League predictions including Viktoria Plzen vs. Man United

Ludogorets vs. AZ (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Looking to convert their stellar domestic form onto the continental stage, Ludogorets Razgrad will welcome AZ Alkmaar to Huvepharma Arena on Thursday night for a Europa League clash.

The Eagles have failed to realise their potential in this competition during the opening five battles, whilst De Kaasboeren are making steady strides towards the knockout stages in February.

We say: Ludogorets Razgrad 1-0 AZ Alkmaar

Securing a share of the spoils at Lazio last time out in the Europa League, Ludogorets should fancy their chances of recording their maiden win of the League Phase at home on Thursday night.

AZ Alkmaar come into this clash in good form, although we feel that a hostile atmosphere at Huvepharma Arena could tip the balance and lead to a narrow defeat for De Kaasboeren.

Malmo vs. Galatasaray (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Aiming to conquer one of the favourites to win the competition, Malmo will host Turkish giants Galatasaray at Eleda Stadion for a Europa League battle on Thursday evening.

Di Blae have already wrapped up their domestic crown in 2024 but continue to struggle in Europe, whilst Cimbom are on their way to a success-laden campaign on all fronts.

We say: Malmo 0-2 Galatasaray

Despite their dominance of the Allsvenskan this season, Malmo become the underdogs once they step onto the continental stage, and Thursday night's clash will be no different.

Galatasaray are approaching 18 matches without defeat across all competitions, and it is hard to imagine anything other than a Cimbom success at Eleda Stadion.

Olympiacos vs. FC Twente (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Striving to make it 10 matches unbeaten across all competitions, Conference League holders Olympiacos will host struggling FC Twente at Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis on Thursday night in the Europa League.

Thrylos have made an excellent start on their quest to lift continental honours in back-to-back campaigns, whereas the Tukkers are at danger of suffering a premature elimination from this competition.

We say: Olympiacos 3-0 FC Twente

Close to reaching the double-digit mark on their unbeaten track, Olympiacos should be full of confidence and ready to put Twente to the sword on Thursday night.

The Tukkers were blown away by PSV on the road last week, and we feel that a similar narrative could be fitting for the Dutch side in Piraeus.

PAOK vs. Ferencvaros (Thursday, 5.45pm)

PAOK aim to move into the Europa League qualification playoff spots when they host Ferencvaros in Thursday's matchday six encounter at Toumba Stadium.

The 27th-placed Greek giants are three places and a sole point outside the playoff spots, but they must overcome an opponent on a three-match winning run in Europe's second-tier club competition.

We say: PAOK 2-1 Ferencvaros

Despite an awful sequence of results in the first five matchdays, PAOK enter Thursday's match in fine goalscoring form, standing them in good stead against Ferencvaros.

With the Hungarian visitors shorn of Varga's match-winning qualities, the home team should back themselves to outscore their opponents in Thessaloniki.

Roma vs. Braga (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Both clinging on to a Europa League playoff place with three games remaining, Roma and Braga will battle it out for maximum points on Thursday.

The teams convene at Stadio Olimpico having won just three times between them so far, and the Giallorossi trail their Portuguese counterparts in the table.

We say: Roma 2-1 Braga

Home advantage can make all the difference for a brittle Roma side that often falters when venturing outside of the Eternal City.

The hosts should prevail, but Braga are capable opponents with a handful of proven performers at Europa League level - it could be a very close contest.

Hoffenheim vs. FCSB (Thursday, 5.45pm)

In a match that could prove pivotal for Bundesliga side Hoffenheim's hopes of reaching the Europa League round of 16, they are set to welcome Romanian champions FCSB to PreZero Arena on Thursday.

The German club are one position outside the round of 16 playoff spots in 25th place with five points after five games, while the visitors are 10th with 10 points and drew 0-0 with Olympiacos on November 28.

We say: Hoffenheim 1-2 FCSB

Hoffenheim's poor results have not improved under their new manager, and there is no reason to think that they can turn their fortunes around anytime soon.

Additionally, it would not be surprising if FCSB were able to take advantage of the fact that their hosts are missing a number of players and will likely come into Thursday's game with their ranks significantly depleted.

Union SG vs. Nice (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Nice will make the relatively short trip across the border to Belgium to face Union SG in the Europa League on Thursday.

Franck Haise's men are, by some distance, the biggest underachievers in the competition so far, with progression to the knockouts now looking beyond them.

We say: Union SG 1-1 Nice

Nice's worrying European form is unlikely to change against a side currently unbeaten in nine games, and it could spell the end of their chances to progress.

Union SG are on the rise in Europe, winning four points from their last two games, and they will be confident of taking something here, especially after holding Roma on their last European home night.

Plzen vs. Man Utd (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Two teams level on points in the Europa League standings face off at Doosan Arena in Czechia on Thursday night as Viktoria Plzen play host to Manchester United.

Both clubs enter this contest after picking up nine points from their first five fixtures, with the Red Devils sitting 12th in the 36-team table and just one place above Plzen in 13th spot.

We say: Viktoria Plzen 1-3 Manchester United

Viktoria Plzen, who have already caused a couple of upsets in the Europa League this season, may enter Thursday's contest as huge underdogs, but they will fancy their chances against an out-of-sorts Man United side.

Amorim will be seeking a response from his players, though, and it is difficult to back against the Red Devils coming out on top, even if their Portuguese boss opts to make a few changes to his lineup.

> Hojlund or Zirkzee, Rashford or Garnacho? Predicted Man United lineup vs. Plzen

> Will Lindelof return? Man United injury, suspension news vs. Viktoria Plzen

Ajax vs. Lazio (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Still unbeaten in this season's competition, Europa League leaders Lazio will visit Ajax at Johan Cruijff ArenA on Thursday.

The clubs' first-ever meeting takes place with the Italian side leading their Dutch counterparts by three points in the standings, and both are on course for automatic entry to the last 16.

We say: Ajax 1-2 Lazio

Having already proved that their squad can cope with rotation, Lazio can travel to the Netherlands full of confidence that an unbeaten Europa League run will continue.

The Aquile could even fly home with maximum points, leaving a faltering Ajax side in some danger of missing out on a precious top-eight finish.

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

Bodo/Glimt seek to continue their commendable record against Besiktas in Thursday's Europa League matchday six encounter at Aspmyra Stadion.

With three games remaining in the expanded league phase, both sides sit outside the top eight spots guaranteeing last-16 participation but hope to improve their prospects by securing a positive result in the forthcoming fixture.

We say: Bodo/Glimt 1-1 Besiktas

After losing the previous Europa League fixture under old boss Van Bronckhorst, Besiktas will be eager to prove their progress under the new regime. While a win would be ideal, securing a draw on the road against Bodo/Glimt would be a respectable result.

Elfsborg vs. Qarabag (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Swedish side Elfsborg are set to host Azerbaijan's Qarabag FK at Boras Arena this Thursday in the Europa League.

Both sides will be desperate to take three points from each other and gain ground on the playoff spots having struggled so far in their European campaigns.

We say: Elfsborg 2-1 Qarabag FK

Both sides have struggled in their first five Europa League matches this term and will be keenly aware that time is running out for them to pick up the necessary points to make it to the next round.

However, the defensive weakness Qarabag have displayed in the league phase so far is difficult to overlook, and Elfsborg may exploit this to take all three points on Thursday.

Porto vs. Midtjylland (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Porto will endeavour to boost their hopes of reaching the Europa League knockout rounds when thy welcome Midtjylland to the Estadio do Dragao on Thursday evening.

While the Dragons have put together a three-game unbeaten run in all competitions, the Wolves have alternated between defeat and victory in their last four fixtures.

We say: Porto 2-1 FC Midtjylland

Both teams will fancy their chances of success on Thursday and will be aware of how important it is to secure maximum points in their quest to reach the last 16. We are backing both Porto and Midtjylland to make the net ripple in this contest, but the hosts may just do enough to come out on top.

Lyon vs. Frankfurt (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Two of the most impressive clubs in Europe's top-five leagues recently meet in the Europa League on Thursday, when Lyon host Eintracht Frankfurt.

Both enter the first-ever meeting between the two sides in the top eight of the league phase, and are fancied to progress directly to the last 16 of the knockout stage.

We say: Lyon 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt

With Lyon having only suffered one defeat in 14, and Frankfurt just two in 19, it is tough to separate two sides that are among the most in form across Europe at present.

Lacazette and Marmoush have been brilliant in the final third for their respective clubs, and it could be a straight shootout between those two to decide the result here.