Kairat vs. Alashkert (Thursday, 3.00pm)
After both falling at the second stage of Champions League qualification last week, Kazakh champions Kairat and Alashkert FC of Armenia will now battle it out for a place in the Europa League playoffs on Thursday.
While the pair were ultimately dispatched from Europe's top-tier competition by a clear margin, they now convene at Almaty's Central Stadium for the first leg of a closely-matched tie.
We say: Kairat 2-1 Alashkert FC
Though both sides have been defensively suspect in recent games, Kairat are much further into their domestic campaign and were able to defeat Red Star Belgrade at the Central Stadium just a fortnight ago.
By comparison, Alashkert have a more modest budget and would be delighted to take a draw back to Yerevan, but the hosts are set to take at least a one-goal lead into the second leg.
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Jablonec vs. Celtic (Thursday, 4.45pm)
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Following their awful start to the new season, Celtic travel to the Czech Republic on Thursday, seeking to overcome FK Baumit Jablonec and keep their European campaign alive.
The pair meet in the third qualifying round of the Europa League after the Hoops crashed out of Champions League contention, while the Czech side enter at this stage as reward for finishing third in the Fortuna Liga last term.
We say: FK Baumit Jablonec 1-1 Celtic
It will take a while for Ange Postecoglou to mould Celtic into a competitive unit after last season's travails, but his team must at least avoid defeat at Jablonec to stop the knives coming out.
As the Glasgow giants' planned comeback has got off to a slow start, their underestimated opponents can secure a first-leg draw - keeping them in the tie until next week's return at a potentially anxious Parkhead.
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Omonia vs. Flora (Thursday, 5.00pm)
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Having both fallen at the second stage of Champions League qualification, Cypriot champions Omonia meet Estonia's Flora on Thursday, in the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie.
After their 3-0 aggregate loss to Dinamo Zagreb last week, Henning Berg's home side will be keen to build an advantage ahead of next week's return leg in Tallinn.
We say: Omonia 2-1 Flora
Omonia went so close to making the Champions League last year, before showing well in the Europa League during the autumn, and have the credentials to make this year's playoff round by taking care of Flora.
Though Rauno Sappinen clearly poses a threat on the break, the back-to-back Cypriot champions can capitalise on home advantage this week and take a lead to Talinn next Thursday.
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Lincoln vs. Slovan Bratislava (Thursday, 5.00pm)
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Having both dropped down from the Champions League qualifying rounds, Lincoln Red Imps welcome Slovan Bratislava to the Victoria Stadium for the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round battle.
The Gibraltar giants were sent packing by CFR Cluj in Europe's elite competition, whereas Bratislava ended up on the wrong end of the scoreline against Young Boys last time out.
We say: Lincoln Red Imps 1-3 Slovan Bratislava
Bratislava were able to rotate and rest some of their big-hitters for their league battle at the weekend - which paid dividends during a routine success - and the Slovakian champions ought to make that competitive edge count here.
The Red Imps held their own against Cluj and are not to be written off, but we still expect Bratislava to take a healthy lead into next week's second leg.
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Galatasaray vs. St Johnstone (Thursday, 7.00pm)
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An historic continental campaign begins for St Johnstone on Thursday, as the Scottish cup double winners travel to Galatasaray for the first leg of their Europa League third round qualifying tie.
Callum Davidson's men enter at this stage courtesy of their domestic triumphs in the 2020-21 season, while Galatasaray have dropped down from the Champions League qualifying rounds.
We say: Galatasaray 3-1 St Johnstone
St Johnstone's plethora of attacking options can surely trouble this Galatasaray defence in the first leg, but the Scottish side are unlikely to experience much joy beyond the odd goal or two.
Davidson's men have earned their right to be here just as much as their hosts, but we expect the quality of the Turkish giants to shine through during a resounding first-leg triumph.
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NS Mura vs. Zalgiris (Thursday, 7.00pm)
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Now forced to lock horns for a spot in the Europa League playoff round, NS Mura and FK Zalgiris prepare for battle in the first leg of their third-round qualifying tie at the Fazanerija on Thursday.
The Slovenian hosts were dumped out of the Champions League preliminary rounds by Ludogorets Razgrad, while Zalgiris were sent packing by Ferencvaros 5-1 on aggregate.
We say: NS Mura 0-1 FK Zalgiris
The first leg should be a closer affair than the form book would suggest, with Mura aiming to push their domestic troubles to one side while Zalgiris seek to keep the momentum going from their dominant league form.
With Simundza's men shutting out the opposition in three of their four Champions League games and Zalgiris developing a fondness for away clean sheets, it is difficult to envisage many goals in this encounter, but we still expect the visitors to just edge the first leg.
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Rapid Vienna vs. Anorthosis (Thursday, 7.30pm)
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Rapid Vienna and Anorthosis Famagusta face off at the Allianz Stadion in Austria on Thursday evening for the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie.
The winners of this two-legged tie, with the return fixture to take place in Cyprus the following week, will face Zorya Luhansk in the final qualifying round.
We say: Rapid Vienna 1-1 Anorthosis Famagusta
Rapid Vienna have an advantage given that they have already played a handful of competitive games this season, though results have not exactly been great.
Indeed, the hosts enter this match winless in three - including defeat in their Champions League qualifier - and we can see Famagusta taking a draw back to Cyprus with them.
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Barney Corkhill
