The extension of the Europa League means we’re now treated to monster Thursday slates, with 18 fixtures taking place every league phase matchday. The new format is still in its infancy, with teams having plenty of time to make up ground and work their way into either an automatic qualifying spot for the knockout stages or the play-off round.
Matchday 3 is blessed with narratives in abundance, and many eyes will undoubtedly be cast upon Istanbul as Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce take on Manchester United. While much of Thursday’s talk will surround that fixture, there are 17 other encounters to discuss and enjoy.
Thursday’s action kicks off with seven games getting underway at 17:45 (GMT). The two English representatives aren’t in action until later on, but the likes of Nice, Ajax, and Real Sociedad are involved in this slate, with Roma needing a victory at home to Dynamo Kyiv.
Nice have drawn a lot this season and were thumped by Lazio last time out. Ferencvaros proved against Tottenham that they’ll make life difficult for anyone on home soil, and the French side could come unstuck in Budapest. Ajax make the long trip to Azerbaijan to face Qarabag and will have to work hard for all three points, while Sociedad have the benefit of facing Israeli side Maccabi Tel-Aviv in Belgrade, Serbia.
Eintracht Frankfurt boast one of Europe’s most in-form forwards in Omar Marmoush, and they’ll be expected to earn back-to-back league phase wins at home against RFS. This is a good Frankfurt team that has fought tooth and nail against Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen in their two most recent Bundesliga outings.
Erik ten Hag has rediscovered some stability in the wake of Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham last month, but they remain an unpredictable force. After impressing in the second half against Brentford, who knows which Red Devils outfit will turn up against Mourinho’s Fenerbahce on Thursday night?
Spurs are one of just five teams with a 100% record through two games, and they should enjoy a fairly serene evening on home soil against AZ. After beating Elfsborg 3-2, the Dutch side were comfortably beaten by Athletic Club on Matchday 2. Troy Parrott’s N17 homecoming will be something to look out for.
Rangers were thumped by an improving Lyon team last time out, and they’re facing a Steaua Bucharest team that’s also won two out of two. They’ve not beaten stellar opposition, mind, and perhaps a rampant Ibrox can inspire the struggling Gers on Thursday.
Porto will be expected to climb up the table as they face Hoffenheim at home, while Lyon’s recent form suggests they’ll be too good for Besiktas. Athletic Club face banana-skin opposition in Slavia Prague in the Basque Country.
Anderlecht are also primed to continue their winning start to the competition against Ludogorets, but table-toppers Lazio have a tricky away trip to FC Twente.
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