HJK Helsinki vs. Silkeborg (Thursday, 5.00pm)
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HJK Helsinki play host to Silkeborg at the Sonera Stadium in the first leg of their Europa League qualifying playoff round clash on Thursday.
The visiting side head into the game off the back of suffering their first loss of the 2022-23 Danish Superliga campaign and will look to quickly return to winning ways.
We say: HJK Helsinki 2-2 Silkeborg
HJK have enjoyed a perfect campaign in the Europa League qualifiers, winning their two games so far while also keeping two clean sheets. However, they should expect a stern challenge from Silkeborg, who possesses the firepower needed to grab the result on Thursday. We anticipate a thrilling contest, with both sides cancelling out each other's efforts and settling for a draw, leaving all to play for in the second leg.
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Ferencvaros vs. Shamrock (Thursday, 5.30pm)
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Shamrock Rovers square off against Ferencvaros in the first leg of their Europa League playoff tie on Thursday night.
While whoever loses this two-legged contest will drop into the Europa Conference League, both teams will be focused on trying to earn a rare spot in the group stages of European football's secondary competition.
We say: Ferencvaros 2-0 Shamrock Rovers
While Shamrock can claim to be in good form and be playing under less pressure on Thursday evening, the better quality is in Ferencvaros' ranks. Although we anticipate a competitive contest, the home side should come through with the victory, potentially with a clean sheet to boot.
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Pyunik vs. Sheriff Tiraspol (Thursday, 6.00pm)
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FC Pyunik will entertain the challenge of Sheriff Tiraspol in the first leg of their Europa League playoffs at the Republican Stadium on Thursday.
Both sides were beaten in the third round of the Champions League playoffs and will now have to settle for a place in Europe's second-tier club competition.
We say: FC Pyunik 1-1 Sheriff Tiraspol
Following their Champions League failures, both sides will be keen to make it up to their supporters with a place in the Europa League, so we expect an end-to-end affair here. We can also see the teams matching each other over the course of the game, resulting in honours even at the end of the 90 minutes.
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Malmo vs. Sivasspor (Thursday, 6.00pm)
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Malmo and Sivasspor go head to head at the Eleda Stadion in the first of their two-legged Europa League qualifying playoff round clash on Thursday.
The visitors head into the game without a win from their opening three games of the 2022-23 campaign and will be looking to end this dry spell and place of foot in the group stages of the European competition.
We say: Malmo 2-1 Sivasspor
Malmo will fancy their chances of picking up the desired results on Thursday as they go up against a floundering Sivasspor side who are yet to taste victory this season. We are backing the Swedish side to pick up a vital first-leg win in front of their home fans and edge closer to a place in the group stages.
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Apollon Limassol vs. Olympiacos (Thursday, 6.00pm)
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Apollon Limassol and Olympiacos square off at the Tsirion Athlitiko Kentro in the first leg of their Europa League qualifying playoff round matchup on Thursday.
The home side, who head into the game fresh off the back of clinching the Cyprus Super Cup title, will look to continue in the same vein and place one foot in the group stages of the competition.
We say: Apollon Limassol 3-2 Olympiacos
Buoyed by their Super Cup triumph, Apollon Limassol will head into Thursday with sky-high confidence as they seek a third straight win in all competitions. The Cyprus outfit take on a struggling opposing side who have managed just one win in their last five outings and we fancy them coming out on top in front of their home fans.
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FC Zurich vs. Hearts (Thursday, 6.00pm)
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Swiss champions FC Zurich will face Scottish outfit Hearts at Kybunpark in St Gallen for the first leg of their Europa League playoff on Thursday night.
FCZ secured safe passage through to this stage after beating Linfield over two legs, while the visitors will be taking part in their first European qualifier since the 2016-17 campaign.
We say: FC Zurich 1-1 Hearts
Despite their two-legged win over Linfield, Zurich's domestic form is understandably a concern for the Swiss side heading into Thursday's contest, while Hearts have made a bright start to their top-flight campaign.
Nevertheless, a closely-fought contest is set to be played out in St Gallen and we can see the spoils being shared on this occasion.
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Ludogorets vs. Zalgiris (Thursday, 6.45pm)
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Ludogorets Razgrad and FK Zalgiris will do battle in the first leg of their Europa League qualifying tie at the Huvepharma Arena on Thursday.
Having both seen their Champions League hopes come to an end, the teams will be keen to avoid missing out on Europe's secondary club tournament.
We say: Ludogorets Razgrad 2-0 FK Zalgiris
Ludogorets know that they must capitalise on playing in front of their fans if they are to be in the driving seat of the tie ahead of next week's return leg. We are backing them to get the job done come the sound of the final whistle.
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Gent vs. Omonia (Thursday, 7.30pm)
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Gent take on Omonia in the first leg of their Europa League qualifying playoff on Thursday.
Both clubs qualified for this stage as a result of winning their domestic cups last season.
We say: Gent 2-0 Omonia
Gent are four competitive games ahead of their forthcoming opponents, which could make a huge difference in determining the result.
Omonia have consistently punched above their weight in Europe in recent years, but a lack of match fitness could catch up with them towards the end of the game.
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Austria Vienna vs. Fenerbahce (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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Austria Vienna host Fenerbahce in the first leg of their Europa League qualifying playoff on Thursday.
The Austrians will be hoping for a positive result on home soil before next week's tricky trip to Istanbul.
We say: Austria Vienna 1-1 Fenerbahce
Despite the visitors boasting superior individual quality, we can envisage Austria Vienna digging in to claim a draw.
That outcome would probably suit both parties, with Fenerbahce feeling that they are far more likely to win in front of a raucous Sukru Saracoglu Stadium next Thursday.
