One team on home soil that will be seeking a solid start will be Dinamo Zagreb, who play host to Feyenoord in Group K.
Zagreb Eye Fast Start
The Croatian outfit are normally a formidable presence at home, highlighted by the fact that they have lost just one of their last 15 competitive fixtures at the Stadion Maksimir.
After seven domestic league games, Zagreb are unbeaten and top of their league, so confidence will be high going into Thursday’s encounter.
The 5/4 on offer is even more appealing when you consider that their Dutch opponents won just one and lost four of their six Europa League away games last term.
In Mario Gavranovic, Dinamo have an in-form striker who has bagged five goals in their last three games and the Swiss ace can be backed at 7/4 to score at anytime on Thursday.
Bhoys Hoping to Tame Italian Giants
Elsewhere, the game of the matchday one is at Celtic Park where the Scottish Premiership champions play host to European giants AC Milan.
Celtic have been decimated by fitness problems in recent weeks and an Old Firm defeat to Rangers is not the best build-up to this European tie.
In stark contrast, Milan have won all of their seven competitive matches this season – including a derby win over Inter at the San Siro last weekend.
The Rossoneri have won their last three meetings with Celtic and Stefano Pioli’s men are 20/23 to claim another victory.
Goals Expected on English Soil
Goals look highly likely at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, when Austrian outfit LASK visit North London, with over 3.5 available at 20/21.
Spurs have scored 16 in their last three games but defensive injury issues have also seen them concede six times in those fixtures against Maccabi Haifa, Man Utd and West Ham.
There have also been 22 goals in the last five LASK fixtures, whilst they also lost 7-1 on aggregate to Man Utd in last season’s Europa League.
Jose Mourinho is expected to make changes to his starting XI, with a league game at Burnley on Sunday, so it’s worth considering those that didn’t start against West Ham if eyeing a goalscorer bet. Lucas Moura, who bagged in the qualifier, can be backed at 5/4 to score at anytime.
Foxes Face Tough Assignment
Meanwhile, goals have been a been a problem at home for Leicester in recent weeks and Zorya will look to frustrate them at the King Power Stadium.
The Foxes have failed to score in their last three Premier League home games and look set to be without Jamie Vardy again for Thursday’s Group G clash.
Ukrainian outfit Zorya have drawn three of their last four league games and another draw on Thursday can be backed at 9/2.
Even with a few injuries to contend with, Leicester should have too much for their opponents and it is worth considering Draw HT / Leicester FT bet at 14/5.
*All odds correct at time of writing
