FC Copenhagen v Lugano - 17:55

You have to love the Europa League. The variety of matchups you get from season-to-season is a big draw for me, and while it’s often hard to predict, I believe this is a fairly solid 9/1 four-fold.

I have two early kick-offs and two late ones, starting with FC Copenhagen to beat Lugano.

The Swiss side have started their domestic campaign appallingly, and come into this on the back of four straight defeats. Just four wins in 18 on the road last season shows just what poor travellers they are.

Copenhagen have also lost their last couple in the league (both away from home), but their home advantage will be telling on Thursday, and as experienced European campaigners, they should find a way to claim the points.

Copenhagen - 1pt @ 3/5

Standard Liege v Guimaraes - 17:55

Standard Liege are yet to drop points on home soil this season, and I’m backing them to overcome Portuguese outfit Vitoria de Guimaraes.

Liege won their three group matches at home last season against Sevilla, Krasnodar and Akhisarspor—prior to elimination courtesy of a terrible away record—and it could be similar story this campaign as well.

Guimaraes have a poor record in Europe—crashing out of their last three group stage campaigns in this competition—and they’re unlikely to get anything against a Liege side who love their home comforts.

Standard Liege - 1pt @ 20/23

Gent v St Etienne - 20:00

Looking at the 8pm kick-offs, I’m expecting Gent to beat St. Etienne.

Gent have become accustomed to winning: in their last matches six domestically and in Europa League qualifying, they’ve won five and drawn one.

This is a tough one to call because St. Etienne are perhaps the stronger side on paper, but they’ve started the season poorly, winning just one of their first five matches – including two consecutive away defeats (without scoring).

At this price, backing the home side is the right path to take.

Gent - 1pt @ 23/20

Wolves v Braga - 20:00

Finally, I’m backing Wolves to beat Braga at Molineux.

While their Premier League form hasn’t been great, I have a feeling Nuno will really go for it in the Europa League, and victories home and away against Torino in qualifying shows they’re still a very potent force indeed.

It can be argued that Torino are quite a bit better than Braga, and considering they come into this with just one point from their last four Liga NOS matches, you have to fancy the Black Country outfit on home soil.

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Wolves - 1pt @ 13/20