The five British teams gear up for another round of Europa League action.
AZ Alkmaar v Man Utd - 17:55
Let’s start with AZ Alkmaar v Man Utd – where I’m backing the hosts to win with a draw no bet.
I’m afraid Manchester United simply aren’t very good. With just three wins from their first nine games of the season in all competitions—with none coming on the road—it’s hard to make much of a case for them in Thursday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men scraped past Astana in their opener, while AZ drew at Partizan Belgrade, despite being a man down from the 27th minute onwards.
The Dutch side have lost just once in their 15 competitive fixtures this season, and with United so desperately short of inspiration and ideas, especially away from home, I’m giving AZ a really good chance in this.
Besiktas v Wolves - 17:55
I have a tasty tip for Besiktas v Wolves: Adem Ljajic to be shown a card at 4/1.
Besiktas are statistically the dirtiest side in Turkey (an impressive feat), accumulating 20 yellow cards and two reds in their six matches.
Serbian midfielder Ljajic has been at the centre of this, picking up bookings in four of his five league games and one in Besiktas’ Europa League defeat to Slovan Bratislava.
As both teams tasted defeat in their openers, this should be a high-intensity, full-blooded affair, with the loser knowing qualification is almost gone. Hopefully, this should lead to a few bookings.
Young Boys v Rangers - 17:55
A Rangers/Draw double chance at evens against Young Boys looks quite chunky, so that’s my tip for this clash.
After utterly dominating domestic proceedings last season, Young Boys look just a tad jaded this time around, and while unbeaten, they have drawn three of their last four games, and sit behind Basel at the top of the table.
There was no shame in losing 2-1 against Porto a fortnight ago, but Rangers—who have lost just one of their 18 games this season in all competitions (that coming at home to Celtic)—are building some good momentum under Steven Gerrard, as displayed by their excellent victory against Feyenoord at Ibrox.
Importantly for this tip, Rangers have kept four consecutive clean sheets, and that solidity will hopefully ensure they avoid defeat at Stade de Suisse.
Arsenal v Standard Liege - 20:00
This next one is simple: Arsenal to beat Standard Liege at home with a -1 handicap.
For all their (many) faults, the Gunners are still a very good side at The Emirates, and will surely prove too much for Liege, especially after their incredible 3-0 win at Frankfurt.
I’d expect another much-changed team from Unai Emery—though the second XI still did the business in Germany and against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup—but that shouldn’t matter too much, as the Belgians have already lost away games to St. Truiden and Anderlecht.
It’s always tough with Arsenal (perhaps why this is odds-against), but a professional win is surely the most likely result.
Celtic v CFR Cluj - 20:00
Last but not least, I have Celtic avenging their Champions League qualifying defeat to Cluj with a victory and both teams scoring.
The Romanians beat Celtic 4-3 at Parkhead—still their only defeat of the season—to knock them out of Champions League contention (before going on to lose over two legs against Slavia Prague), but this is where that wrong is put right.
Neil Lennon’s boys have won six of their second Scottish Premiership matches this season, but they’ve only kept one clean sheet at home, conceding against Hearts and Kilmarnock.
Cluj have been a little hit-and-miss domestically—failing to win their last three matches—and with the added needle from the defeat back in August, there’s big value in Celtic battling to a victory.
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