The Europa League resumes this week with Matchday 7 of the league phase and, despite the top seven sides in the 36-team standings already assured of a place in the next round, there is still plenty to play for with two matches remaining.
It's up for grabs in a congested top-eight section with just five points separating top-two sides Lazio and Athletic Bilbao from eighth-placed Rangers.
Finishing in the top eight erases the prospect of a play-off to reach the last 16, so the Gers can ill-afford any slip-ups, but they face a tricky trip to Manchester United on Thursday in the standout tie of the round.
Spurs are also on the road as they head to Hoffenheim, while Lazio and Bilbao will look to strengthen their claims with matches against Real Sociedad and Besiktas respectively.
A frantic night of football looks likely and we have picked out five best bets to add more intrigue to the action.
- DRAW & BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE IN HOFFENHEIM VS TOTTENHAM
- DRAW & BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE IN FENERBAHCE VS LYON
- MANCHESTER UNITED TO WIN & BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE VS RANGERS
- LAZIO TO WIN & UNDER 2.5 GOALS VS REAL SOCIEDAD
- ANDERLECHT TO BEAT VIKTORIA PLZEN
Bet On The Europa League
Hoffenheim vs Tottenham
Tottenham are having a miserable time of things domestically, but there has been some respite in the Europa League from their troubles and they are just on the fringes of the top eight in the Europa League.
A long run in this competition would do beleaguered Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou the world of good and they face a Hoffenheim side facing similar issues of their one in the German Bundesliga, where they have won just two of their last 11 matches.
A 3-1 win over fellow strugglers Holstein Kiel last Saturday ended their nine-match winless streak in all competitions, but they are well off the pace in this competition following one win from their six fixtures.
It's hard to be too bullish about either side given their struggles, but the goals could flow with question marks surrounding both defences in this clash.
A draw in which both teams score has been the outcome in each of Spurs' last two Europa matches and that could be the best bet to have in this encounter.
DRAW
BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Fenerbahce vs Lyon
Fenerbahce are on a fantastic run of form in the Turkish Super Lig, losing just one of their last 13 league matches, but Jose Mourinho’s side have work to do if they are to prolong their stay in the Europa League.
Fener are 21st in the standings with two games to go, but there are four teams just behind them who could push them out of the play-off reckoning if they fail to secure two positive results to end the campaign.
And a visit from Lyon looks a tough assignment, with the French side starting the round fourth in the pecking order and with top spot within striking distance.
OL are winless in three matches domestically, but they have taken 13 points from a possible 18 in this competition and the chance to seal their place in the top eight this week suggests they will approach this clash with a positive mindset.
However, the Turkish giants are unbeaten in their last five home matches against French sides and Mourinho has lost just two of his last 25 matches on home soil in the Europa League, so a tight contest can be expected.
Four of Fener’s last five home games have resulted in both teams scoring, while four of Lyon’s last five away games have seen both teams getting on the scoresheet, so a draw in which both teams hit the net looks the best way to go from a punting perspective.
DRAW
BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Manchester United vs Rangers
Much has been said about Manchester United's struggles domestically, with the Red Devils having won just one of their last eight matches in all competitions, but the Europa League could offer them some relief this week when Rangers roll into town for a mouthwatering battle of Britain.
United start this round of fixtures in seventh place in the Europa League standings and can seal their place in the last 16 with a victory over the Gers, who are just a point behind them in eighth, and recent history suggests they can secure an edgy triumph.
Confidence is low in the United camp, but they still possess enough quality to be able to see off a Rangers side who have never beaten United in four meetings.
On each occasion one or both sides have failed to score, but there is scope to expect goals at both ends this time around with the home defence in such a state of disarray and Rangers in great goalscoring form.
The Light Blues have scored 11 goals across their last three outings and also have the incentive to enhance their claims for a top-eight spot, and having drawn 1-1 with Spurs last time out in this competition will at least fancy picking up another point this week.
However, that draw came on home soil and, with Rangers having won just one of their last eight European away games against English opposition, preference is for United to edge home in a match in which both teams score.
MANCHESTER UNITED TO WIN
BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Lazio vs Real Sociedad
Europa League leaders Lazio have dropped just two points in this season's competition and they can edge closer to finishing first with a win over Real Sociedad.
The Italians have conceded just three times across their six matches in Europe and they face a Sociedad side this week who boast the second-best defensive record in the Spanish La Liga.
A cagey contest looks likely, but Lazio have taken well to this competition and look the bet to land a hard-fought three points.
LAZIO & UNDER 2.5 GOALS
Viktoria Plzen vs Anderlecht
If results go their way this week Anderlecht could find themselves in top spot in the Europa League with one game remaining and they should be able to take care of their part of the bargain with a trip to Viktoria Plzen.
The Belgian giants have won four and drawn twice in this competition to sit third behind Lazio and Bilbao and they should be too strong for Plzen, despite the hosts having lost just once from their six outings.
Anderlecht's unbeaten run has seen them win on the road at Slavia Prague and Sociedad this term and they can seal their place in the top eight at the very least with another away-day triumph on Thursday.
ANDERLECHT TO WIN
