Week five of the Europa League is upon us as teams continue to battle for the coveted knockout places.
A number of big names in this year’s competition still have work to do to make sure they finish in the top eight places this season and progress to the knockout stages.
Time is running out for teams like Manchester United, Porto and Roma to make their push for a top-eight finish and all three teams are focused on for this Thursday’s Europa League predictions.
- ANDERLECHT TO BEAT PORTO
- ATHLETIC BILBAO TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE VS ELFSBORG
- MANCHESTER UNITED TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE VS BODO/GLIMT
- NICE TO BEAT RANGERS
- TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TO BEAT ROMA
Bet On The Europa League
Anderlecht vs Porto
Sat down in 22nd place in the Europa League table with just one win in their first four games, much more was expected for Portuguese giants Porto in this competition this term.
Porto find themselves in poor form heading into Thursday’s trip to Belgium to face Anderlecht, with Vitor Bruno’s side losing all of their last three games in all competitions.
Playing all of their last three games on the road, Porto have lost to Lazio, Benfica and Moreirense in that spell.
Next is a trip to Lotto Park, which has been a fortress for Anderlecht in recent months, as they currently find themselves on a five-game winning streak at home.
Conceding just one goal in their last five home games in all competitions, Anderlecht should be able to inflict another defeat on Porto this week.
ANDERLECHT TO WIN
Athletic Bilbao vs Elfsborg
While the Swedish domestic season is done before the winter really kicks in over in Scandinavia, Elfsborg’s season continues with their Europa League campaign and a tough trip to Athletic Bilbao.
Elfsborg have gone unbeaten in their last five games after what was previously a run of four consecutive defeats.
The Allsvenskan outfit have already stunned Roma in the Europa League this season, but that was in the home comforts of the Boras Arena and a much tougher test awaits at San Mames.
Bilbao have only lost once in 10 outings at home this season in all competitions and have won four of their last five games on their own patch.
With an attack that includes the likes of Nico Williams, Alex Berenguer and Inaki Williams, Bilbao should have enough firepower to overcome Elfsborg.
The Swedish outfit have scored in 11 of their last 12 games so they should get on the scoresheet, but it’s unlikely to be enough to avoid defeat in this one.
ATHLETIC BILBAO TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Manchester United vs Bodo/Glimt
Manchester United’s new era with Ruben Amorim did not start as planned with a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town in his first game in charge but the Red Devils should get back to winning ways against Bodo/Glimt.
It’s a huge week for Glimt, with the reigning Norwegian champions one point ahead of Brann going into the final game of the Eliteserien campaign this weekend.
Fortunately for Bodo/Glimt, they are at home on Sunday and will face a Lillestrom side who have already been relegated.
However, the league title race in Norway will still be a distraction for Kjetil Knutsen and his side ahead of Thursday’s trip to Old Trafford.
Glimt should fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet against this fragile United defence, but in his first home game as the club’s new manager, it would be little surprise to see the Red Devils do the business for Amorim here.
MANCHESTER UNITED TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Nice vs Rangers
All is not well at Ibrox as Rangers prepare to make the trip to the south of France to face Nice on Thursday night.
A 1-1 home draw against Dundee United has left Rangers in third place with 11 points between themselves and arch-rivals Celtic in the Premiership table.
Pressure continues to mount on manager Philippe Clement and things could be about to get worse for the Belgian tactician as the Light Blues make the trip to the Allianz Riviera this week.
Nice find themselves in good form as they are currently on a five-game unbeaten streak with three wins and two draws in that time.
Unbeaten at home this season, the likes of Real Sociedad, Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco and Lille have all left the Allianz Riviera without picking up a win this term.
While Rangers’ better performances have come in the Europa League this season, with a 4-0 win over FCSB in Glasgow followed by a positive 1-1 draw in Greece against Olympiakos, it’s hard to see them getting the better of Nice this week.
Failing to keep a clean sheet in any of their last four away games in all competitions, Nice should find ways through this porous Rangers’ defence to claim the three points on home soil.
NICE TO WIN
Tottenham Hotspur vs Roma
One of the standout fixtures from week five in the Europa League comes from north London, as Tottenham Hotspur host Roma.
Inconsistency has blighted Spurs’ season so far, as they have been brilliant one night and almost shambolic the next.
Having handed Ipswich Town their first win in the Premier League for over 22 years, Spurs then went on to beat reigning champions Manchester City 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium last time out.
This Jekyll and Hyde Tottenham will be hoping that that impressive win over Pep Guardiola’s side can kick-start a more consistent run and Ange Postecoglou’s side have a good opportunity to make it back-to-back wins over Roma on Thursday night.
The Giallorossi have been consistent in recent weeks, but unfortunately for new manager Claudio Ranieri, it has been consistently poor.
Without a win in their last four games in all competitions and losing three of those, Roma certainly look beatable and are unlikely to leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with anything to show for their efforts.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TO WIN
