The Europa League is entering the latter stages of the opening league phase, with just three rounds of fixtures to go before the play-offs get underway.
Each of the 36 sides can still mathematically qualify for at least the top 24, although bottom of the table Dynamo Kyiv could have their fate sealed should results fail to go their way.
All three British sides in the competition are in action on Thursday evening, with two of them facing off at Ibrox as Rangers host Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur.
Manchester United face what could be a troublesome away trip to the Czech Republic as they take on Viktoria Plzen, while arguably the tie of the round sees Dutch giants Ajax host top of the table Lazio.
- BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE IN RANGERS VS TOTTENHAM
- AJAX TO WIN VS LAZIO
- OVER 2.5 GOALS IN VIKTORIA PLZEN VS MANCHESTER UNITED
- MACCABI TEL AVIV TO WIN VS RFS
- REAL SOCIEDAD TO WIN TO NIL VS DYNAMO KYIV
Bet On The Europa League
Rangers vs Tottenham Hotspur
Rangers and Tottenham are both in a strong position to automatically qualify for the knockout stage and so Wednesday's contest in Glasgow has the makings of an entertaining affair.
Philippe Clement’s Gers hammered Nice 4-1 in France in their last Europa League encounter and have since gone on to win their last three matches in the Scottish Premiership, scoring an impressive 10 goals in the process - six of which came at home to Kilmarnock.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have suffered a slight dip in form, with their 2-2 draw at home to Roma in their last European fixture being the first of four games without a win.
However, while Spurs have looked leaky defensively, they have had few problems in attack. They have netted six goals across their last four matches in all competitions and should be able to play their part while Rangers have scored in each of their last 11 at Ibrox.
BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Ajax vs Lazio
Ajax and Lazio have accrued a combined 23 points from a possible 30 in the Europa League this season but it could be the hosts who come away with all three points against the table toppers on Thursday.
The hosts have lost just one match at the Johan Cruyff Arena this season - a 1-0 loss to Panathinaikos in a game they went on to win on penalties - and Francesco Farioli’s men have gone on to win eight of their nine home fixtures since.
Lazio will undoubtedly provide a stern test to the Dutch giants, with the Eagles having beaten Serie A title challengers Napoli away from home last time out as well as sitting atop the Europa League on goal difference.
However, they are susceptible to a poor performance on the road - their 3-1 loss at relegation-threatened Parma at the beginning of December being their fourth away defeat of the season - and so home advantage could be key in deciding this contest.
AJAX TO WIN
Viktoria Plzen vs Manchester United
Ruben Amorim has a lot of work to do to transform Manchester United back into a title-challenging side and his men could be in for a difficult time of things when they face Plzen on Thursday.
The Red Devils have lost each of their last two matches - a 2-0 defeat at Arsenal before a 3-2 home reverse against Nottingham Forest - but they have scored 10 goals across Amorim’s five games in charge so far, indicating that they are improving in front of goal.
Plzen meanwhile are on a seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions and have lost just one of their last 21 matches at the Doosan Arena. They recorded an impressive 2-1 win over Real Sociedad in their last Europa League fixture here.
This could be a close contest but there could still be plenty of goals to enjoy.At least three goals have been scored in both Plzen’s and United’s last four matches and so it would not be surprising if that was replicated on Wednesday.
OVER 2.5 GOALS
Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Rfs
Israeli outfit Maccabi Tel Aviv claimed an impressive 3-1 victory at Besiktas in their last European encounter and they can take another step towards a play-off spot when they take on fellow strugglers RFS.
The Yellows are on a five-match unbeaten run in all competitions - winning three and drawing two - while only Elfsborg have scored more goals in the Europa League of sides currently outside the top 24.
RFS on the other hand are yet to win in Europe and have failed to win any of their last three competitive matches. It would not be surprising if their winless run is extended in this contest.
MACCABI TEL AVIV TO WIN
Real Sociedad vs Dynamo Kyiv
Dynamo Kyiv have lost all five of their Europa League games this season and their elimination may be all but sealed when they visit La Liga outfit Real Sociedad.
The Ukrainians have scored just one goal in Europe this season, in a 2-1 home loss to Plzen, and they find themselves on a run of four away matches without a win in all competitions.
Sociedad have kept clean sheets in each of their last four matches while their last three at home have seen them win to nil against Barcelona, Ajax and Real Betis. Their defence are expected to hold firm against the misfiring visitors.
REAL SOCIEDAD TO WIN TO NIL
