Like the Champions League, UEFA have decided to change things up, so we’ll have to see how it is received as the season unfolds. In this preview, I’m going to be sharing my thoughts on three UEFA Europa League games.
Wednesday
Manchester United v FC Twente
After a shaky start to the season, Manchester United have found a little bit of stability. The Red Devils have kept three clean sheets in their last three games, though they’ve not played a high calibre of opposition.
Coming into the game after Dutch side FC Twente will be an interesting proposition. The Tukkers find themselves in fourth place in the Eredivisie and have been in European competition the past few seasons.
So far this season, their star player has been Sam Steijn. The 22-year-old is an attacking midfielder, and he’s already netted seven goals in nine games, including in the Champions League qualifiers. With his confidence sky high, I can see him getting on the scoresheet again. Steijn is currently 7/2 to score anytime.
When it comes to the outcome of this game, I do think Manchester United are too short to win 1/4. They only won one game in the Champions League last season and lost twice at Old Trafford in the same competition. I think this will be a tight contest, and it wouldn’t shock me if Twente got a positive result. They’re 13/5 on the double chance, which looks more than fair.
Selections:
Sam Steijn To Score Anytime (7/2)
FC Twente Double Chance (13/5)
Thursday
Malmo v Rangers
Both teams come into this competition after they got knocked out in the Champions League qualifying rounds last month. When it comes to the beating, Malmo are favourites at 11/8, while Rangers are the outsiders at 2/1, so it’s a close game on paper.
Despite a European pedigree, Malmo has made little impression in recent continental competitions in recent years. The Swedish side have lost nine of their last twelve games. Therefore, they can be hard to trust.
Rangers, on the other hand, have done well in the UEFA Europa League, as they made the final of the competition in the 2021-2022 season, losing to Eintracht Frankfurt. I would rather back them to win at 2/1 than Malmo.
One player that I have on my eye to get on the scoresheet in this game is Rangers captain, James Tavernier. Despite playing as a right-back, Tavernier has always been a proven goal threat in his career. He’s netted 16 goals in European competitions, and in the 2021-2022 season he won the UEFA Europa League golden boot for Rangers. Though he’s had a slow start to the season, he did score against Dundee United in the Scottish League Cup last weekend, so he might just be starting to find form. The 32-year-old is 15/4 to score anytime in Sweden on Thursday night.
Selection:
James Tavernier To Score Anytime (15/4)
Tottenham v Qarabag
A lot of neutrals will be interested to see how Tottenham fare in the Europa League this season. For their opening game, they’ll be hosting Azerbaijani champions, Qarabag, who shouldn’t be overlooked.
Qarabag has been a permanent fixture in European competitions in the past decade, featuring in the Champions League. Last season they gave Bundesliga Champions Bayern Leverkusen a scare in the round of 16, losing by one goal on aggregate. Therefore, Spurs will need to be on the guard.
The North London side have had mixed results this season, but they come into this game after a 3-1 win against Brentford. Spurs, though, will be missing a few key players. The likes of Cristian Romero and Richarlison are unavailable, so this game will be a test.
Moreover, Spurs have been a bit frail at the back and have only kept one clean sheet this season. With Qarabag’s ability to score goals, I can see them getting at least one goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Despite this, I do think Spurs should have another quality to get the job done, so I am going to side with them to win, but both teams to score at 6/4.
Selections
Tottenham To Win And BTTS (6/4)
