UEFA Europa League (UEL) predictions

Europa League stats and tips

AZ Alkmaar v Beer Sheva - Over / Under 4.5 Goals - under

AZ's recent matches in Champions League and Europa League have delivered goals and thrills along the way, but it has been some time since L. Echteld's charges treated their fans to a ding-dong battle with goals galore. There have been no more than 4 goals in every one of their last 13 outings.

Celje v Omnia Nicosia - Over / Under 1.5 Goals - over

Every one of Celje's last 11 Champions League and Europa League games has had two or more goals, suggesting that we could be in for a treat as they go head to head with Omonia Nicosia on Thursday evening.

Salzburg v Milan - Double Chance - home win or draw

D. Röhl and his FC Red Bull Salzburg side have found a convenient knack of claiming something from pretty much every Europa League game they play. They're unbeaten in 5 in the Europa League now, so R. Amorim and his Milan team will have to be at their best if they're to get the win at Red Bull Arena Salzburg on Thursday.

Lech Poznan v Leverkusen - Over / Under 2.5 Goals - under

Bayer Leverkusen have played out some low-scoring games in Champions League and Europa League recently. There have been under 2.5 goals in all of C. Martínez Novell's side's last 5 outings and, with N. Frederiksen and his Lech Poznan ahead on Thursday evening, their strikers really should be putting in some additional practice on the training ground.

Lyon v C Palace - Over / Under 4.5 Goals - under

Crystal Palace's recent games in Champions League and Europa League have delivered decent entertainment, and a fair amount of goals, but it has been too long since P. Sage's players treated their fans to the kind of wild ride they'll remember for years to come. There have been under 4.5 goals in all of their last 18 games.

Sparta v Lillestrøm - Over / Under 2.5 Goals - over

Sparta Prague's recent Champions League and Europa League outings have been packed with goalmouth action. Every one of their last 7 have had over 2.5 goals, and Thursday against Lillestrøm SK may well deliver more of the same. Here's hoping that B. Priske Pedersen and H. Ødegaard send their lads out to go for glory.

Union SG v R.Sociedad - Both Teams To Score - yes

Real Sociedad fans have been spoilt with entertainment at each end when their team plays in the Europa League, with both teams having found the net in each of their last 5 games. Union Saint Gilloise on Thursday evening should be another thriller.

Benfica v Celtic - Half Time / Full Time - home / home

Those that favour the half time/full time market will be keeping their eye on Benfica. M. Saraiva Da Silva's side has been impressively superior in recent Europa League games, leading at half time in each of their last 3 and going on to win them all at FT. Celtic on Thursday night can't come soon enough.

Bournemouth v Sturm Graz - Over / Under 4.5 Goals - under

SK Puntigamer Sturm Graz's recent matches in Champions League and Europa League have delivered spills and thrills aplenty, but it has been a while since F. Ingolitsch's charges treated their fans to one of those games that has you waxing lyrical in the pub afterwards. There have been no more than 4 goals in all of their last 14 outings.

Celta v Juventus - Win / Draw / Win - away win

Losing streaks can be incredibly difficult to break, but that's the task facing Celta de Vigo boss C. Giráldez González on Thursday. His side face Juventus having failed to get anything but defeat out of their last 3 Europa League matches.

D. Zagreb v Anderlecht - Over / Under 0.5 Goals - over

Bore-draws have been a highly uncommon occurrence in RSC Anderlecht's Champions League and Europa League outings recently. Their last 35 have had over 0.5 goals, and Thursday night's meeting with M. Kovačević's Dinamo Zagreb really should be a similar story.

Ferencvaros v Plzen - Half Time / Full Time - home / home

Those that favour the half time/full time market will be keeping their eye on Ferencvaros TC. B. Borbely's side has been remarkably dominant in recent Europa League outings, holding the lead at HT in each of their last 3 and going on to win them all at full time. Viktoria Plzen on Thursday night could well be more of the same.

Jagiellonia v Ararat-Armenia - Over / Under 4.5 Goals - under

Jagiellonia Bialystok's recent games in Champions League and Europa League have delivered goals and thrills along the way, but it has been too long since A. Siemieniec's players treated their fans to the kind of wild ride they'll remember for years to come. There have been no more than 4 goals in all of their last 27 outings.

Marseille v Olympiakos - Win / Draw / Win - away win

It's never easy to end a losing run, but that's what's required of Marseille boss B. Génésio on Thursday. His side face Olympiakos having failed to get anything but defeat out of their last 3 Champions League and Europa League matches.

NEC v Levski - Win / Draw / Win - away win

Bad form can be tough to shift, but that's what's required of NEC Nijmegen boss D. Schreuder on Thursday. His players face Levski Sofia having lost each of their last 3 Champions League and Europa League outings.

Rennes v Crete - Half Time / Full Time - away / away

Anyone looking to bet on the half time/full time market will have noticed the form of OFI Crete FC. C. Kontis's side has been remarkably dominant in recent Europa League outings, holding the lead at HT in each of their last 3 and going on to win them all at full time. Rennes on Thursday night will be one to watch.

Hoffenheim v Besiktas - Over / Under 2.5 Goals - under

Low scoring matches aren't always tedious affairs, but fans of Besiktas have had plenty of opportunity to test that theory this campaign. 5 of their side's encounters in the Europa League have finished with under 2.5 goals so far - the most in the competition. Will C. Ilzer and his TSG 1899 Hoffenheim team be capable of adding some goals into this clash on Thursday? Or will it be yet another low scoring affair?