Manchester United travel away to facePorto
Seeking to bounce back from a humbling Premier League defeat, Manchester United travel to the Estadio do Dragao to face Portuguese giants Porto in their second Europa League fixture of the new season on Thursday night.
Man United have made their joint-worst start to a Premier League campaign, picking up just seven points and losing three of their opening six games, including a miserable three-goal defeat at the hands of Spurs last weekend.
Ten Hag, who has now suffered 10 defeats as Man United boss by a margin of at least three goals – including two this season already – is running out of excuses to explain the Red Devils’ demise. If reports are to be believed, Man United’s hierarchy have no immediate plans for a change of manager, with Ten Hag set to remain in situ for away encounters with Porto and Aston Villa before the international break.
However, if performance levels do not improve quickly, then the under-pressure 54-year-old – who only penned a new two-year contract in July – could be in trouble.
The Red Devils beat Porto 1-0 in their most recent meeting at the Estadio do Dragao back in 2009.
Another win on Thursday should grant Ten Hag more time and would get United up and running in the Europa League before they face Jose Mourinho‘s Fenerbahce on matchday three.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Tottenham Hotspurclash with Ferencvaros
Tottenham Hotspur will endeavour to win their fifth game in a row across all competitions when they travel to the Groupama Arena in Budapest to face Ferencvaros in the Europa League on Thursday evening.
This fixture represents the first meeting between these two clubs and Spurs’ first-ever encounter with Hungarian opposition.
Since suffering back-to-back Premier League defeats, Tottenham have turned a corner and have won each of their last four games in all competitions.
Ange Postecoglou‘s side secured a 3-0 home victory against Azerbaijani outfit Qarabag in their opening Europa League fixture last week despite playing for over 83 minutes with 10 men, and just three days later, they put Manchester United to the sword in impressive fashion by the same scoreline.
Spurs are currently the bookmakers’ favourite to go all the way and win the Europa League this term, but they enter Thursday’s contest with Ferencvaros having won only one of their last nine European away matches.
Tottenham may have never faced Ferencvaros before, but Postecoglou has come up against the Hungarian side twice in his managerial career, leading former club Celtic to a 2-0 home win and a 3-2 away victory in the 2021-22 Europa League group stage.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Lazio welcome Nice to StadioOlimpico
Lazio will welcome Nice to Stadio Olimpico in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday. The hosts began their campaign with a win last week while Les Aiglons played a draw.
Lazio have won their last two games, scoring three goals each, and will look to continue their goalscoring run here. They are unbeaten in their last eight home games in the Europa League and are strong favorites.
Tijani Noslin is suspended for this match while French defender Samuel Gigot is the other absentee for head coach Marco Baroni due to an injury. Pedro provided an assist in the campaign opener against Kyiv and should start here.
Le Gym are unbeaten in their last three games, though the last two have ended in draws. They have suffered six consecutive losses in away games in the Europa League, falling to score in four, which is a cause for concern.
Mohamed-Ali Cho and Tanguy Ndombélé were left out of the squad in the Ligue 1 meeting against Lens and are doubts for the trip to Rome.
Considering the upturn in Lazio’s form and their impressive home record in the competition, we back the hosts to record a comfortable win.
Credit: sportskeeda.com
Real Sociedad, Anderlecht in top clash
Real Sociedad will invite Anderlecht to Anoeta Stadium in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday. Both teams began their campaign on a positive note, with a win for the visitors and Sociedad playing out a draw.
The hosts met Nice in their away game last week and were held to a 1-1 draw. Sociedad had a bit of luck on their side as Evann Guessand missed from the penalty spot in the second half.
They returned to winning ways after six games on Saturday with a 3-0 home win over Valencia in La Liga.
The visitors played Ferencvaros in their campaign opener and second-half goals from Yari Verschaeren and Kasper Dolberg helped them to a 2-1 home win. They extended their unbeaten streak to three games on Sunday with a 1-1 draw against Dender in the Belgian Pro League.
Txuri-Urdin have seen an upturn in form recently, as they are unbeaten in their last three games, keeping two clean sheets. Interestingly, they have lost three of their four home games this season, conceding two goals each, and will look to improve upon that record.
Umar Sadiq is back from an injury spell and could start here. Álvaro Odriozola was left out against Valencia and is a doubt. Sheraldo Becker trained earlier this week and faces a late fitness test.
Paars-wit have won just one of their last six games in all competitions, with four games ending in draws. They are winless in their last eight games in the Europa League, suffering four losses.
Jan Vertonghen and Thorgan Hazard are long-term absentees for the visitors and Nilson Angulo is suspended after being booked twice in the campaign opener. Francis Amuzu is sidelined with a muscle injury while Ludwig Augustinsson and Marco Kana are doubts.
Both teams play for the third time in a week, so fatigue will be a factor. With that in mind and considering their current record in the Europa League, a draw will likely ensue.
Credit: sportskeeda.com
FIXTURES
Ferencváros 17:45 Tottenham Hotspur
Maccabi Tel Aviv 17:45 Midtjylland
Olympiakos Piraeus 17:45 Sporting Braga
Real Sociedad 17:45 Anderlecht
Beşiktaş20:00 Eintracht Frankfurt
Rangers 20:00 Olympique Lyonnais
