Europa League Preview
The 2024/2025 Europa League season kicks off this Wednesday, featuring matches guaranteed to deliver goals. Here are our top picks for this week!
Manchester United begin their Europa League campaign with a straightforward task at Old Trafford. After a mixed start in the Premier League – 2 losses, 1 draw, and 1 win – Erik ten Hag will be eager to secure a stronger European start. United head into the match following a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace, a game where many fans felt they deserved all 3 points after dominating but failing to convert chances. Before the Palace draw, the Red Devils were in red-hot scoring form, netting 10 goals across two matches – 3 against Southampton and 7 against Barnsley. Given their recent success against weaker opposition, a similar outcome is expected against FC Twente. Although the two sides have never met, United's impressive run of 10 goals scored and 0 conceded in their last three games, along with the return of key players like Mason Mount and Højlund, points to a strong start in Europe on Wednesday.
FC Twente had a slow start to the season but found their stride before the trip to Manchester, with a 1-1 draw against Zwolle followed by 2-0 and 7-0 victories over Heerenveen and Almere City. With improvements in both defence and finishing, Twente will arrive at Old Trafford with renewed confidence. However, despite their recent form, it's undeniable that Manchester United hold a significant edge in quality. It's difficult to imagine Twente replicating their domestic success or escaping with anything other than a loss on Wednesday. Given United's dominant performances against weaker opponents, a high-scoring affair seems likely, along with another solid defensive showing from the Red Devils.
Team picks
Handicap: Manchester United (-2.5)
Anytime goalscorer: Joshua Zirkzee
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We’re expecting another high-scoring affair on Thursday night as Tottenham host Qarabag. After a shaky start to the Premier League season, Spurs seem to be building momentum with a 2-1 win over Coventry, albeit with a late and unconvincing winner, followed by a more convincing 3-1 victory against Brentford over the weekend. Tottenham's season has been a rollercoaster of results, from a 1-1 draw with Leicester to a 4-0 demolition of Everton, only to suffer back-to-back losses to Newcastle and Arsenal. Defensive instability has been a major concern for Spurs, as they've failed to keep a clean sheet in five of their six opening fixtures across all competitions. Despite this, they’re facing a significantly weaker opponent to open their Europa League campaign, and we expect them to secure all three points. However, given their poor defensive form, it wouldn’t be surprising if they conceded at least one goal.
Qarabag head to London in fine form, currently sitting atop their domestic league with 5 wins and 1 loss, boasting an impressive 16 goals scored and just 4 conceded. Their momentum is strong, having won three consecutive matches—3-1, 2-1, and 4-0—heading into this Europa League clash. While the Azerbaijani League is no match for the level of competition Tottenham faces in England, Qarabag will arrive with plenty of confidence and little to lose, which could present a slight challenge for Spurs on Thursday. Though it's hard to see Tottenham losing this one, Qarabag's attacking form and Tottenham's shaky backline suggest that we may see goals at both ends of the pitch, in a high-scoring fixture.
Team picks
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