FC Zurich vs. Bodo/Glimt (Thursday, 5.45pm)
© Reuters
Bodo/Glimt make the trip to Switzerland to face FC Zurich knowing that a win could move them level on points with PSV Eindhoven in the race to progress further in the Europa League.
However, despite sitting at the bottom of Group A with zero points, Zurich head into this contest with the opportunity to get back into contention for third spot.
We say: FC Zurich 1-2 Bodo/Glimt
These two teams were similarly matched in the reverse fixture and we expect more of the same on Thursday. Nevertheless, there is every chance that the same result may still occur, ending Zurich's faint hopes of Europa Conference League football after Christmas.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
PSV vs. Arsenal (Thursday, 5.45pm)
© Reuters
Needing just a point to seal a first-placed finish in Europa League Group A with a game to spare, Arsenal board a plane to the Netherlands to face PSV Eindhoven on Thursday night.
The Gunners hold a five-point lead over their second-placed Dutch counterparts, who could be left to battle for second place without a satisfactory result here.
We say: PSV Eindhoven 1-1 Arsenal
Whether it was the intimidating Emirates atmosphere or fear of committing too many bodies forwards against a free-flowing Arsenal, PSV's attacking prowess was non-existent last week, but it should be a different story at their Philips Stadion fortress.
Given their repeated failures to translate their dominance into goals in recent weeks, we are struggling to back an altered Arsenal side to claim all three points here, but Arteta's men should hang on for the draw they need to seal their spot in the last-16.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How Arsenal could line up against PSV Eindhoven
> Arsenal injury, suspension list vs. PSV Eindhoven
Larnaca vs. Dynamo Kiev (Thursday, 5.45pm)
© Reuters
AEK Larnaca play host to Dynamo Kiev on Thursday evening with the opportunity to secure a place in the Europa Conference League after Christmas.
These two teams are already out of contention with regards to the top two in their Europa League group, with Kiev losing each of their four fixtures in Group B.
We say: AEK Larnaca 1-1 Dynamo Kiev
Having not suffered a heavy defeat throughout their group-stage campaign, Kiev will still feel that they can extend their stay in Europe. However, we are backing Larnaca to do enough to claim a share of the spoils, securing third spot in the process.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Fenerbahce vs. Rennes (Thursday, 5.45pm)
© Reuters
First place will be up for grabs in Group B action at the Europa League on Thursday as Rennes pay their first-ever visit to Turkey to battle Fenerbahce at Sukuru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul on matchday five.
Both teams have already booked their place in the knockout stage with 10 points each, with the Turks slightly ahead, having scored one more goal.
We say: Fenerbahce 1-1 Rennes
These two balanced sides have played well defensively and in the attacking third in this competition, and they each possess plenty of potential match-winners.
Knowing they are both assured of advancing into the next round would suggest there might not be as much urgency or intensity on either side for this game, so we anticipate the main objective for each will be to ensure no one is seriously injured.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Ludogorets vs. Betis (Thursday, 5.45pm)
© Reuters
The top two teams in Group C of the Europa League will battle it out on Thursday evening as Ludogorets Razgrad welcome Real Betis to Bulgaria.
The hosts could climb to the summit of the group with a victory, while the visitors, who have already qualified for the knockout rounds, will secure top spot if they avoid defeat.
We say: Ludogorets Razgrad 1-2 Real Betis
Ludogorets will fancy their chances on home soil having already beaten both Roma and HJK in front of their own fans, and they pushed Real Betis all the way in the reverse fixture despite losing 3-2 in Spain.
Nevertheless, Pellegrini's men will be regarded as favourites for Thursday's contest and they should have enough quality to secure maximum points and seal top spot in Group C.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Malmo vs. Union SG (Thursday, 5.45pm)
© Reuters
Union SG make the trip to Sweden to play Malmo with the opportunity to guarantee their place in the Europa League knockout stages.
In sharp contrast, Malmo have already been eliminated from European competition this campaign having suffered four successive defeats in Group D.
We say: Malmo 1-2 Union SG
Despite their contrasting records in this competition during 2022-23, Malmo have been far more competitive than you would assume. Nevertheless, with little to play for, we do not expect the Swedish outfit to go the extra mile to match Union SG, who are motivated to earn qualification with a game to spare.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Union Berlin vs. Braga (Thursday, 5.45pm)
© Reuters
Union Berlin can leapfrog Braga into second spot in Group D of the Europa League by beating them on Thursday.
On the flipside, the visitors can seal their spot in the knockout stages by winning at Stadion An der Alten Forsterei.
We say: Union Berlin 1-0 Braga
We expect a very cagey affair at Stadion An der Alten Forsterei, with both teams knowing the significance of this fixture in terms of progressing to the knockout stages.
Whichever team scores first will feel confident of getting the result that they need, and we are backing Union Berlin to do so and hold on for a vital victory.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Lazio vs. Midtjylland (Thursday, 5.45pm)
© Reuters
It is all still up for grabs in finely-poised Europa League Group F before the penultimate matchday, as Lazio and FC Midtjylland are two of four teams locked on five points before they meet on Thursday.
The teams reconvene at Rome's Stadio Olimpico, following a shock 5-1 victory for the Danish side in last month's reverse fixture, but the humbled Biancocelesti have been in brilliant form since: claiming four wins from five in Serie A.
We say: Lazio 2-1 FC Midtjylland
As well as flying high domestically, Lazio are generally a formidable force at home in the Europa League - though four of their last six continental clashes in Rome have finished level. Due to Sarri's squad rotation, it may be a close-run contest to begin with, but the Aquile should ultimately soar past the Wolves.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Freiburg vs. Olympiakos (Thursday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
Freiburg will seal top spot in Group G of the Europa League if they can beat Olympiacos on Thursday.
The visitors, meanwhile, have already been eliminated from the competition, but they can still claim third place and a spot in the Europa Conference League as a result.
We say: Freiburg 2-0 Olympiacos
We expect Freiburg to have too much quality for Olympiacos, who are hamstrung by several absences due to injury and squad registration rules.
The hosts are aiming to maintain their 100% record in the Europa League and can seal top spot in Group G with a victory.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Nantes vs. Qarabag (Thursday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
Nantes will fight to keep their hopes of continental knockout football alive on Thursday, when they host Qarabag FK in the penultimate round of Europa League group-stage fixtures.
The French outfit have picked up just three points from their four games thus far and sit four points behind their opponents, who will guarantee a place at least in the Europa Conference League round of 16 if they avoid a defeat.
We say: Nantes 1-1 Qarabag FK
Qarabag have certainly been the more impressive of the two sides in the group stage thus far, but we do not see them picking up all three points in France, instead opting for a low-scoring draw.
The hosts are far from their best this season and we do not anticipate them having enough to better the Azerbaijani champions and keep the fight for second place alive.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Red Star vs. Trabzonspor (Thursday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
With everything still to play for in the final two rounds of Europa League group stage games, Red Star Belgrade and Trabzonspor will do battle in Serbia on Thursday.
The visitors currently sit second with six points from their four outings, while the hosts will be pushing to leapfrog them having only picked up one win thus far.
We say: Red Star Belgrade 1-1 Trabzonspor
Even with Red Star Belgrade being far from their best in this year's group stage, the Turkish champions face a tough trip on Thursday for a game that is bound to be hotly contested given that the fight for second place is somewhat riding on this match.
The hosts may not be strong enough to see off their visitors, though, and we see the clash ending in a draw, despite the fact that Milojevic's side will likely need all three points.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Ferencvaros vs. Monaco (Thursday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
Ferencvaros can clinch a place in the knockout stage of the Europa League with a victory on Thursday at Groupama Arena against Monaco.
The reigning champions of Hungary are at the top of Group H with nine points after edging Red Star Belgrade 2-1 on matchday four, while Les Monegasques suffered a 4-0 defeat at Trabzonspor as they currently sit third with six points.
We say: Ferencvaros 1-2 Monaco
Monaco are often their own worst enemy in these European fixtures, making critical errors that can completely change the complexion of a game, although they have never lost consecutive matches in a European competition.
On the opposite side, Ferencvaros tend to sit back and sustain a lot of pressure, and while that has been successful for them in the group stage thus far, we expect to see an angry Monaco side unleash its frustrations on the Hungarians.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
HJK Helsinki vs. Roma (Thursday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
Two sides trailing behind in Europa League Group C convene in Finland on Thursday, as last-placed HJK Helsinki host a Roma side with just four points from as many games.
Three of the Giallorossi's haul to date came from last month's reverse fixture in the Italian capital, when the visitors went down to 10 men early on and ultimately lost 3-0.
We say: HJK Helsinki 0-1 Roma
In cold conditions, on an artificial pitch, injury-hit Roma are not likely to hit top form following a few unconvincing performances.
However, they have enough experience and guile within their squad - and on the touchline - to ensure a repeat of their humbling away to Nordic opposition last year is avoided; a single-goal win could be on the cards.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Man Utd vs. Sheriff Tiraspol (Thursday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
Manchester United will endeavour to claim at least the point they need to make it into the knockout rounds of the Europa League when they tackle Sheriff Tiraspol in Group E on Thursday night.
The Red Devils sit three points behind the perfect Real Sociedad in second place, while the Moldovan visitors to Old Trafford are third in the group having claimed just one win so far.
We say: Manchester United 2-0 Sheriff Tiraspol
Coming away from Stamford Bridge with just a point to their name would have disappointed a dominant Man United, who blew Tottenham away at Old Trafford last week and should have no trouble inflicting similar punishment on a managerless Sheriff.
The visitors have not possessed a taste for goals in Europe recently, and we can envisage lightning striking twice as Man United advance to the knockout stages courtesy of another two-goal success.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How Man United could line up against Sheriff
> Man United injury, suspension list vs. Sheriff Tiraspol
Omonia vs. Real Sociedad (Thursday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
Real Sociedad will be looking to maintain their perfect record in Group E of the Europa League when they travel to Cyprus to face Omonia on Thursday.
While the hosts have lost all four group matches, the visitors could secure top spot with a victory if second-placed Manchester United fail to beat Sheriff Tiraspol at Old Trafford.
We say: Omonia 0-2 Real Sociedad
Omonia will be hoping for a manager bounce under Ferrera as they bid to end their Europa League campaign on a high. However, they come up against arguably one of the strongest teams in this season's competition who should have enough quality to secure a routine win on Thursday, despite the absence of a number of key players.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Sturm Graz vs. Feyenoord (Thursday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
Looking to take a giant step towards progressing into the knockout phase of the Europa League, Sturm Graz and Feyenoord go head to head at the Merkur-Arena on Thursday.
The teams are currently tied on five points heading into their penultimate group-stage encounter which has all the makings of an absorbing affair.
We say: Sturm Graz 1-2 Feyenoord
Both teams are expected to be fully up for this one so we are anticipating a keenly-contested and end to end affair. That said, we just about fancy the visitors to see off the threat of their hosts and emerge victorious in the end.