The 2021-22 Europa League group stage got up and running on Wednesday night with Legia Warsaw overcoming Spartak Moscow in Group C, but with the majority of teams in action on Thursday, it promises to be an exciting evening of football.
A total of 15 matches will be taking place in Europe’s secondary competition on Thursday, with four British teams – West Ham, Leicester, Celtic and Rangers – all hoping to make positive starts.
The newly trimmed down competition means there should be plenty of emphasis on quality rather than quantity, while with only the eight group winners being guaranteed a place in the round of 16, it already feels like there is plenty at stake.
Hammers Face Baptism of Fire in Zagreb
West Ham are back in Europe for the first time in five years, although this will be their first appearance in the main draw of a continental competition since 2006.
David Moyes’ side will face a tough opening match in Group H, as they head to Croatia to take on a Dinamo Zagreb side that reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League last season, narrowly losing out to eventual champions Villarreal.
Dinamo beat Tottenham during their run through to the last eight and they boast a formidable home record in the Europa League, losing just one of their last 15 matches at Stadion Maksimir.
That would be intimidating enough for most experienced European sides, never mind a West Ham team that lacks recent continental history, so backing Dinamo to claim a victory at 14/5 could prove the right call.
Gers to Come Unstuck Against Improving Lyon
Another British team facing a tough opening fixture on Matchday One are Scottish champions Rangers, who will play host to Ligue 1 giants Lyon in Group A.
Steven Gerrard’s side have reached the round of 16 of the Europa League in each of the last two seasons, but they have struggled in Europe so far this term, as they followed up being dumped out of Champions League qualifying by Malmo by narrowly overcoming Armenian minnows Alashkert to reach the group stage.
Rangers have only won one of their last six European matches, a run that stretches back to last season, and they will be facing a Lyon side that appears to be finding its feet under new head coach Peter Bosz.
The French side failed to win their opening three games under the Dutchman, but they have since recorded back-to-back wins over Nantes and Strasbourg and are priced at 7/5 to make it a third straight success when they visit Ibrox.
Lazio to Profit In Istanbul
Turkish giants Galatasaray have struggled in Europe so far this season, as they were dumped out of Champions League qualifying in emphatic fashion by PSV, before limping past St Johnstone and Randers to reach the Europa League group stage.
Group E opponents Lazio have largely impressed under new boss Maurizio Sarri, scoring nine goals across their opening two Serie A matches of the season against Empoli and Spezia, although last weekend’s defeat to AC Milan has threatened to derail their early promise.
Lazio also hold a good record against Gala, as they are unbeaten in their last three meetings with the Super Lig club, claiming a 1-1 draw on their most recent visit to Istanbul in 2016.
I Biancocelesti are not the best travellers in Europe, but they will be taking on a far from vintage Galatasaray side and therefore look good value to win the match at 13/10.
*All odds correct at time of writing.