Wednesday's Europa League predictions including Man United vs. FC Twente

AZ vs. Elfsborg (Wednesday, 5.45pm)

AZ Alkmaar welcome Elfsborg to the Netherlands on the opening matchday of the Europa League on Wednesday.

The hosts have made a superb start to the season, while the Swedish visitors are coming to the end of their domestic campaign with plenty still to play for.

We say: AZ Alkmaar 3-1 Elfsborg

AZ have made a brilliant start to the season, and should have enough to overcome one of the lowest-ranked sides in this season's competition.

On their return to the European stage after over a decade away, it will be a baptism of fire for Elfsborg with numerous tricky fixtures, including this one against one of the most in-form sides in Holland at present.

Bodo/Glimt vs. Porto (Wednesday, 5.45pm)

Porto make the long trip north to within the Arctic Circle to face Bodo/Glimt in their Europa League opener on Wednesday.

The Norwegian champions have garnered a reputation of being a very difficult side to face away from home in European competition, as the visitors will leave sunny Portugal to brave the elements in northern Norway.

We say: Bodo/Glimt 2-2 Porto

Porto have won six of their previous eight games against Norwegian sides, but this is an altogether different challenge given the climate and the pitch, and it will take some adjusting to.

The visitors have not kept a clean sheet in 15 Europa League games, and Bodo/Glimt have proven repeatedly they are capable of troubling some elite clubs in Europe, and they may cause a few more issues here.

Dynamo Kiev vs. Lazio (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Kicking off their Europa League campaigns on Wednesday evening, Dynamo Kiev and Lazio will meet at Hamburg's Volksparkstadion for their opening league-phase contest.

Following UEFA's overhaul, the competition's format will mirror that of the Champions League, meaning these sides face seven more games between now and early next year.

We say: Dynamo Kiev 1-1 Lazio

Aside from one off-day against Salzburg, Dynamo have played pretty well in Europe this season, while Lazio are coming straight into the league phase off the back of some mixed domestic form.

As a result, the 'home' side can hold out for a point on the opening matchday, before heading to Hoffenheim next month.

Midtjylland vs. Hoffenheim (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

In the first matchweek of the revamped Europa League, Danish champions FC Midtjylland are set to host German side Hoffenheim on Wednesday at MCH Arena.

The Europa League group stage has been replaced by a 36-team league phase in which every side will play eight times, with the top eight progressing automatically to the round of 16 and the next 16 clubs competing in a playoff round.

We say: FC Midtjylland 1-1 Hoffenheim

Given the sheer number of absentees for both sides, Wednesday's match could be a somewhat uninspiring affair, with neither team taking too many risks.

Kramaric may find the back of the net to open the scoring, but considering Hoffenheim's poor away record, it would be surprising if they held on and claimed all three points.

Galatasaray vs. PAOK (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Both aiming to launch their league phase campaigns with maximum points, Galatasaray and PAOK will lock horns at Adams Park on Wednesday for the first matchday of the 2024-25 Europa League.

The hosts dropped down into this competition after being eliminated from the playoff qualifying round for the Champions League, while the visitors qualified with a 6-0 aggregate win in the Europa League playoff round.

We say: Galatasaray 3-1 PAOK

Both sides come into this game in excellent form, but Galatasaray are formidable when playing at home, and we expect that advantage to help them secure all three points.

Ludogorets vs. Slavia Prague (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Looking to commence their League Phase campaigns with maximum points, Ludogorets Razgrad and Slavia Prague will lock horns at Huvepharma Arena in the Europa League on Wednesday night.

The Eagles are coming into this clash on a three-game winning run, whereas the Red and Whites will be striving for their fifth straight victory across all competitions.

We say: Ludogorets Razgrad 1-2 Slavia Prague

Ludogorets have enjoyed a solid winning run domestically, although they have already shown their frailties against decent opposition in Europe so far this season.

Slavia Prague narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification, so they should be confident of making serious waves in this campaign's Europa League.

Man Utd vs. FC Twente (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Manchester United kick-start their 2024-25 Europa League campaign with an encounter against Eredivisie outfit FC Twente at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

This contest represents the first-ever meeting between the two teams; the Red Devils have lost just one of their previous nine home encounters with Dutch opposition.

We say: Manchester United 3-1 FC Twente

FC Twente have found their form in front of goals in recent weeks and could pose a threat to Man United's backline on Wednesday, particularly through in-form attacker Steijn.

Ten Hag's side have been a somewhat unpredictable outfit for some time, but we expect the Red Devils to outscore their opponents and begin their Europa League campaign on a positive note.

> Rashford return? Ugarte start? Predicted Man United lineup vs. FC Twente

> Man United injury news vs. Twente: Shaw, Lindelof return dates

> Man United's Europa League record

Nice vs. Real Sociedad (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Both aiming to commence their continental quests for glory with three points, Nice and Real Sociedad will clash for a Europa League match on Wednesday night at Allianz Riviera.

Les Aiglons come into this game following a handsome win in Ligue 1 on the weekend, whilst the White and Blues have endured a tricky start to their 2024-25 domestic schedule.

We say: Nice 1-0 Real Sociedad

After hitting Saint-Etienne for eight on the weekend, Nice should be very confident of getting their Europa League campaign off to a positive start on Wednesday night.

Failing to win any of their last five matches in La Liga, Real Sociedad are in an early-season rut and look set for a difficult evening at Allianz Riviera.

Anderlecht vs. Ferencvaros (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Belgium giants Anderlecht and Hungarian champions Ferencvaros begin their 2024-25 Europa League campaigns with a meeting at Lotto Park in Brussels on Wednesday night.

The two teams meet for the first time since 1985 when Ferencvaros claimed a 2-1 aggregate win in the qualifying round of the Champions League.

We say: Anderlecht 1-1 Ferencvaros

Ferencvaros are certainly the form side heading into Wednesday's fixture and will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to nine matches in all competitions.

They also boast a strong record against Belgian opposition, but we feel that Anderlecht could frustrate their Hungarian counterparts and find a way to claim at least a share of the spoils from this one.