Fenerbahce vs. Union SG (Thursday, 5.45pm)
Looking to respond following a disappointing domestic defeat last time out, Fenerbahce will commence their Europa League campaign with the visit of Union SG on Thursday night.
The Yellow Canaries lost a league battle with Galatasaray over the weekend, whilst Les Unionistes played out a goalless draw with Standard Liege in Belgium.
We say: Fenerbahce 2-0 Union SG
Apart from Saturday's clash with Galatasaray, Fenerbahce have been formidable so far in 2024-25 and should be confident of breezing past Union SG on home soil.
Les Unionistes are struggling domestically and cannot rely on the talents of Fuseini in attack on Thursday, meaning that we are expecting a difficult night for the Belgians in Istanbul.
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Malmo vs. Rangers (Thursday, 5.45pm)
Rangers get their Europa League campaign underway when they make the trip to Sweden to face Allsvenskan leaders Malmo on Thursday.
Philippe Clement's side have made an underwhelming start to the season, which they hope to rectify with a good showing on the continent.
We say: Malmo 1-1 Rangers
Rangers have never beaten a Swedish side in Europe in six attempts, four of which came against Malmo, and with their woeful away form an issue, this could be a more difficult fixture than it initially appears.
Malmo are running away with the title in Sweden and can start to focus on European matters throughout the autumn, and this is a good opportunity for them to get off the mark against pot-one opposition.
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Ajax vs. Besiktas (Thursday, 8.00pm)
Aiming to add a 2024-25 triumph to their illustrious European history, Ajax will start their Europa League campaign with the visit of Turkish giants Besiktas to Johan Cruijff Arena on Thursday night.
De Godenzonen are coming into this clash following a lacklustre draw in the Eredivisie on the weekend, whilst the Black Eagles enjoyed a dramatic victory in the Turkish Super Lig.
We say: Ajax 2-2 Besiktas
Ajax have won back-to-back home matches by an aggregate scoreline of 8-0 recently, although the visit of Besiktas should pose a much sterner test for the Dutch giants on Thursday.
The Black Eagles are unbeaten this season, and we expect that run to extend to nine matches in Amsterdam, but it is likely that they will have to settle for a point.
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Frankfurt vs. Plzen (Thursday, 8.00pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt begin their Europa League campaign with a home fixture at Deutsche Bank Park against Viktoria Plzen on Thursday.
The 2022 winners have started their Bundesliga season in commendable form and seek to carry that into their midweek match, keen to begin positively in the revamped league format.
We say: Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 Viktoria Plzen
Frankfurt are the superior side heading into Thursday night, and we are backing the in-form Bundesliga club to notch a routine victory over a Plzen side that have typically struggled on their travels in Europe.
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FCSB vs. RFS (Thursday, 8.00pm)
FCSB will host Rigas Futbola Skola at the Arena Nationala on Thursday for matchday one of the 2024-25 Europa League, with both aiming to get off to the perfect start to their league phase campaign.
The hosts successfully qualified for the Europa League for the first time since 2017-18, while the visitors will be making just their second appearance in a European competition.
We say: FCSB 2-1 Rigas Futbola Skola
Despite the hosts having an undeniably poor start to their league season, while the visitors have enjoyed an impressive campaign to date, FCSB remain the stronger side, highlighted by already eliminating Maccabi Tel Aviv and LASK from European competition this year.
With FCSB also boasting the advantage of playing at home, we expect the hosts to secure a victory in the opening match of the 2024-25 Europa League.
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Lyon vs. Olympiacos (Thursday, 8.00pm)
French side Lyon will hope to pick up their first win of their Europa League campaign when they host Conference League champions Olympiacos at Groupama Stadium on Thursday.
Both clubs will play eight games as part of the 36-team league phase, and after these fixtures the top-eight sides will automatically progress to the round of 16, while the subsequent 16 teams will compete in a playoff round in order to earn the right to continue in the competition.
We say: Lyon 1-1 Olympiacos
Lyon will be looking to bounce back from their defeat last time out and could begin the match intensely and may score the game's opening goal.
However, it is difficult to ignore their poor form this this season and it would not be surprising if Olympiacos managed to find an equaliser.
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Roma vs. Athletic Bilbao (Thursday, 8.00pm)
Seeking a successful return to the continental stage, Roma meet Athletic Bilbao in their Europa League opener, as they get their campaign under way on Thursday evening.
The clash at Stadio Olimpico will be the teams' first meeting in UEFA competition, coming as the hosts have switched managers and their Basque visitors have run into top form.
We say: Roma 1-1 Athletic Bilbao
Now that Ivan Juric has taken the reins at Roma, the home side should be harder to beat, so Athletic Club's wait for a win on the Italian peninsula may go on.
Both teams would probably settle for a point from one of their tougher league-phase contests, with much friendlier fixtures awaiting either side next month.
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Braga vs. M. Tel Aviv (Thursday, 8.00pm)
Braga and Maccabi Tel Aviv will kick off their Europa League league phase campaigns on Thursday, when they meet in the opening round of fixtures at the Estadio Municipal de Braga.
The hosts sealed their place in the main competition with a playoff-round victory over Rapid Vienna, while their visitors dished out an 8-1 aggregate beating in their tie against Backa Topola.
We say: Braga 3-1 Maccabi Tel Aviv
Maccabi Tel Aviv certainly showed their ability in Europa League qualifying and will travel with momentum on the back of a perfect start to their latest domestic campaign, but a trip to Braga may be a step too far for the Yellows and we expect the Portuguese outfit to come out on top on home turf thanks to the superior quality in their ranks.
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Spurs vs. Qarabag (Thursday, 8.00pm)
Tottenham Hotspur make their return to European competition when they welcome Azeri champions Qarabag FK to North London in the Europa League on Thursday.
Ange Postecoglou will have been delighted to see them drawn at home against their upcoming opponents, avoiding the long-haul trek across Europe and into the Asian border in Azerbaijan.
We say: Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Qarabag FK
Even though Postecoglou is likely to ring the changes, Spurs should still have more than enough firepower to record a routine matchday one victory here.
Qarabag rarely travel well, and their record against English clubs is damning, with six losses from six, and there is little to suggest they can arrest that run here.
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> Solanke to start, Son to be rested: Tottenham predicted lineup vs. Qarabag
> Which key man is banned? Spurs injury, suspension list for Qarabag clash
