Ajax vs. Galatasaray (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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Looking to retain their unbeaten status for the entirety of the league phase, Galatasaray will visit the home of Ajax in the Europa League on Thursday night.
De Godenzonen are set to be involved in the playoff round next month, whilst Cimbom are still fighting for an automatic spot in the last 16 of the competition.
We say: Ajax 1-1 Galatasaray
With two European heavyweights clashing in Amsterdam, we are expecting a hard-fought affair between Ajax and Galatasaray on Thursday night.
Cimbom will be desperate to earn three points but will also be cautious of losing their unbeaten status, so a share of the points seems to be the most likely outcome.
> Europa League preview: Ajax vs Galatasaray
Athletic Bilbao vs. Plzen (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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Athletic Bilbao and Viktoria Plzen will both be looking to seal last-16 spots when they face off in Thursday's Europa League clash at San Mames.
The hosts head into the final round of the league phase in third place, while the side from Czechia are sitting in 11th position with two points separating them from the top eight.
We say: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Viktoria Plzen
Athletic have struggled to produce their best form in the first month of 2025, but they will still take confidence from the fact they have won all three of their home matches in the league phase, and we think they will produce another strong performance in front of their own supporters to take maximum points from Thursday's fixture.
> Europa League preview: Athletic Bilbao vs Plzen
Dynamo Kiev vs. RFS (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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In a battle for pride, Dynamo Kiev are set to welcome Rigas Futbola Skola to Volksparkstadion on Thursday in their final Europa League game of the league phase.
Both sides have been eliminated from the competition, with the hosts last in 36th place having accumulated one point in seven games, while the visitors are 30th with five points and their 1-0 victory against Ajax on January 23 was not enough to prevent their exit from the competition.
We say: Dynamo Kiev 0-2 Rigas Futbola Skola
Neither side are likely to play to their best level considering both have been eliminated, but RFS will be confident of achieving a positive result given their victory last time out in Europe.
Additionally, Dynamo Kiev's record at home in the Europa League is concerning, as is their goal return, and it is difficult to see them avoiding defeat on Thursday.
> Europa League preview: Dynamo Kiev vs RFS
Midtjylland vs. Fenerbahce (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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Two teams battling to stay above the drop zone in the Europa League face off at MCH Arena, where FC Midtjylland host Fenerbahce in Thursday evening's high-stakes clash.
Only one point separates both sides, with FCM sitting 19th in the standings on 10 points, while the visitors are 23rd with nine, just one above 25th-placed Porto.
We say: FC Midtjylland 1-2 Fenerbahce
With a playoff spot at stake, both teams are expected to play cautiously, aware that a loss could result in elimination, though each will still push for a win, knowing it would put them in a stronger position for qualification.
Given their current standing, Fenerbahce will be the more driven side, buoyed by their strong away form in the competition, which could set the stage for a narrow victory for the visiting team.
> Europa League preview: Midtjylland vs Fenerbahce
FC Twente vs. Besiktas (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer takes his Besiktas side to the Netherlands where they will face FC Twente at De Grolsch Veste in a crucial Europa League contest on Thursday night.
Both teams enter their final League Phase fixture in danger of failing to qualify for the knockout rounds and needing a victory to secure a place in the top 24.
We say: FC Twente 2-2 Besiktas
Thursday's contest will see the team who has drawn the most matches (Twente - four) come up against a Besiktas side who are one of only four teams that are yet to draw in this season's Europa League.
Indeed, it difficult to predict which way this one will go between two evenly matched teams. Twente must push for a win on home soil, but we are backing Besiktas to claim at least a share of the spoils in the Netherlands.
> Europa League preview: FC Twente vs Besiktas
FCSB vs. Man Utd (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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Seeking to secure automatic qualification for the last 16 of the Europa League, Manchester United travel to Romania to take on FCSB at the National Arena in their final League Phase fixture on Thursday night.
The two teams will face each other for the very first time in Bucharest and are separated by only one point in the 36-team standings.
We say: FCSB 1-2 Manchester United
Each of Man United's last three Europa League wins have come by a one-goal margin and another closely-fought contest could be on the cards on Thursday between two teams determined not to lose as they endeavour to maintain their position in the top eight.
Although FCSB boast an impressive home record at this stage of the competition, Man United will be regarded as favourites and should have enough quality in the side Amorim selects to secure maximum points in Bucharest.
> Europa League preview: FCSB vs Man Utd
> Amorim to shuffle the pack again? Predicted Man United lineup vs. FCSB
> Will Ugarte be available? Man United injury, suspension news vs. FCSB
Ferencvaros vs. AZ (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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Ferencvaros and AZ Alkmaar have a lot riding on the events of Thursday's Europa League final round of games when both clubs battle at the Groupama Arena.
The hosts, occupying a playoff place, could be eliminated, while their Dutch opponents could advance to the round of 16 automatically as they face off with a Hungarian side for the first time in Europe.
We say: Ferencvaros 2-1 AZ Alkmaar
AZ's away losses in this year's Europa League phase have been at Athletic Club and Spurs, clubs playing in superior divisions, although they blew a two-goal lead against eliminated Ludogorets.
While the Dutch side are superior on paper, Ferencvaros' lack of a safety net for progressing regardless of the result could see the hosts push extra hard for a positive outcome at the Groupama Arena, thus edging the Eredivisie club.
> Europa League preview: Ferencvaros vs AZ
Lyon vs. Ludogorets (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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Lyon will welcome Ludogorets Razgrad to the Groupama Stadium on the final matchday of the league phase in the Europa League on Thursday just days after sacking their manager Pierre Sage.
After a poor start to 2025, controversial owner John Textor pulled the trigger on the manager amid a chaotic time at the club, who still face a potential demotion in the summer.
We say: Lyon 2-0 Ludogorets Razgrad
Despite more drama in the week with the sacking of Sage, even that should not do much to derail Lyon's hopes of finishing in the top eight, and they have been handed a very favourable final fixture.
With the Super Cup against Botev Plovdiv coming up on Tuesday, it is fair to assume that most of the focus will be on that for already-eliminated Ludogorets, but they will still want to put in a good showing against a European giant like Lyon.
> Europa League preview: Lyon vs Ludogorets
M. Tel Aviv vs. Porto (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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Both battling for a spot in the playoff round of the competition, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Porto will lock horns on gameweek eight of the Europa League on Thursday night.
The Yellows suffered a damaging defeat in Norway last week, whilst the Dragons' progression into the next stage was thrown into serious doubt following a shock home loss.
We say: Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-3 Porto
With progression into the playoff round highly unlikely for Maccabi Tel Aviv, we could see a care-free approach from the hosts on Thursday night.
That should allow more space in attacking areas for Porto, who have the quality to take advantage and book their spot in the knockout stages.
> Europa League preview: M. Tel Aviv vs Porto
Nice vs. Bodo/Glimt (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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Bodo/Glimt have the chance to make club history when they travel to the Europa League's biggest underachievers Nice at the Allianz Riviera on Thursday night.
While Nice are already surprisingly eliminated, Bodo/Glimt are on the cusp of reaching the last 16 of the Europa League for the first time in their history.
We say: Nice 1-2 Bodo/Glimt
Nice are set to name a heavily-rotated XI with elimination already confirmed, and that could open the door for Bodo/Glimt to earn a hugely important, and rare, away win in Europe, that would take them into the last 16.
These two sides have committed the fewest fouls of all 36 clubs in the Europa League, and that could be evident again, with nothing on the line for the home side, who also fell to a disappointing defeat last midweek.
> Europa League preview: Nice vs Bodo/Glimt
Olympiacos vs. Qarabag (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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Aiming to climb into the automatic qualification places, Olympiacos seek success in their final league phase fixture of the Europa League against eliminated Qarabag FK at Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis on Thursday.
Jose Luis Mendilibar's men, unbeaten in all competitions since October, are undoubted favourites heading into this week's match, but the Piraeus-based club will be cautious against an opponent without defeat in four previous match-ups against Greek teams.
We say: Olympiacos 2-0 Qarabag FK
Given the low-scoring Olympiacos' motivation for a top-eight berth and Qarabag's elimination, the Greek side are backed to secure a slender win on Thursday.
However, much will depend on El Kaabi delivering the goods despite his side's overreliance on him for goalscoring contributions.
> Europa League preview: Olympiacos vs Qarabag
Rangers vs. Union SG (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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Rangers and Union SG are set to clash on Thursday night in the final matchday of the Europa League, both aiming for a spot in the top eight of the league phase table.
The hosts are 13th in the standings with 11 points from seven games, while the visitors are 15th and also with 11 points, leaving the pair trailing the top eight by three points.
We say: Rangers 2-1 Union SG
Both teams will be desperate to secure the victory in an attempt to push into the top eight, but with Rangers boasting the home advantage, where they have only lost twice this season, we believe the hosts will win here.
> Europa League preview: Rangers vs Union SG
Real Sociedad vs. PAOK (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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Real Sociedad and PAOK will both be looking to secure their spots in the Europa League playoff round when they lock horns in Thursday's meeting at the Reale Arena.
La Real occupy 18th place in the league phase with 10 points to their name, while PAOK are sitting just one place above their hosts on goal difference.
We say: Real Sociedad 2-1 PAOK
PAOK may have won their last three European matches, but they have lost two of their three away games in the league phase, and with that in mind, we think they will fall just short against a Real Sociedad side that have won their previous two home Europa League fixtures.
> Europa League preview: Real Sociedad vs PAOK
Roma vs. Frankfurt (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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Only a win will guarantee Roma's place in the Europa League knockout rounds, as they host already-qualified Eintracht Frankfurt in Thursday's league phase finale.
The Italian club have just a one-point buffer to the elimination zone, while their German counterparts are sitting pretty in second place.
We say: Roma 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
Consistently inconsistent, Roma tend to be a little more predictable on home turf, where they are far tougher to beat.
As Frankfurt only need one point, they can afford to settle for a draw, but the hosts may have a nervous wait to see whether they will go through.
> Europa League preview: Roma vs Frankfurt
Anderlecht vs. Hoffenheim (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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Belgian side Anderlecht will hope to confirm their automatic qualification for the Europa League round of 16 when they host Hoffenheim at Lotto Park on Thursday.
The home team are seventh with 14 points and a win on Thursday would secure automatic progression, whereas the visitors' 3-2 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on January 23 left them 28th with six points and on the brink of elimination given they are three points and four places from the round of 16 playoffs.
We say: Anderlecht 2-1 Hoffenheim
Anderlecht should be considered strong favourites considering their strong record at home, as well as the fact the visitors are in the midst of an injury crisis.
Hoffenheim may be forced to attack aggressively given they must win if they are to have a chance of reaching the round of 16, and if they were to do so, they may leave space in behind their defensive line for the hosts to exploit.
> Europa League preview: Anderlecht vs Hoffenheim
Slavia Prague vs. Malmo (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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In one of just two dead rubbers on the final matchday of the league phase in the Europa League, Slavia Prague and Malmo meet in the Czech capital on Thursday.
With both clubs already eliminated, the two are playing solely for pride, and a more respectable position in the 36-team standings.
We say: Slavia Prague 2-1 Malmo
With neither side having anything to play for, this could be treated more like a friendly, but both should still name strong teams in order to provide important match practice during respective winter breaks.
Henrik Rydstrom's Malmo side have not kept a clean sheet in 12 games, and frequently lose away from home on the continent, while Slavia will be desperate to end their club-record losing run in Europe.
> Europa League preview: Slavia Prague vs Malmo
Braga vs. Lazio (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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Having already confirmed direct entry to the last 16, Europa League leaders Lazio will aim to round off their league-phase campaign in style when they visit Braga on Thursday.
While six wins from seven have taken the Italian side straight through before the final matchday, their hosts' hopes of making the playoffs hang by a thread.
We say: Braga 2-2 Lazio
Lazio have actually lost five of their seven away games against Portuguese clubs, but they are set to avoid defeat this week.
Even without some key players - and with thoughts already drifting towards the knockout round - they should still be strong enough to eliminate Braga.
> Europa League preview: Braga vs Lazio
Spurs vs. Elfsborg (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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Tottenham Hotspur will put their dismal Premier League campaign to one side when they welcome Elfsborg to North London for their final League Phase fixture in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Spurs are gearing up for their first meeting with Swedish opposition since losing 2-1 to Osters IK in the 1995 Intertoto Cup.
We say: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Elfsborg
It is difficult to back against a struggling, injury-hit Spurs side at present, but they will be regarded as favourites to get the better of a relatively youthful Elfsborg team on Thursday.
If the hosts are boosted by a couple of players returning from injury, then they will fancy their chances of edging past their Swedish counterparts who have lost each of their last three European away matches.
> Europa League preview: Spurs vs Elfsborg
> Will Van de Ven, Romero return? Predicted Spurs lineup vs. Elfsborg
> Another attacking blow: Tottenham injury list for Elfsborg clash
Matt Law
