The Europa League enters the final round of matches from the group stages as teams battle for a place in the knockout phase. Who will make clinch the remaining 11 places? Here are Things to look out for in the Europa League: Matchweek 6. Bet on the Europa League here.
All to play for in Group G
All four teams in Group G; Rangers, Porto, Young Boys and Feyenoord are entering the finale of the group stage knowing they could be in the last 32 draw next Monday. Rangers are top with eight points, followed by Porto and Young Boys who are tied on seven points in second and bottom-placed Feyenoord who have five points. Steven Gerrard’s Rangers face Dutch side Feyenoord and will need a point to go through. Portuguese giants Porto and Young Boys will both be through with a win. Therefore we should be treated to a dramatic ending tonight.
Lazio’s last chance
Lazio’s performances in the Europa League have been underwhelming. They came into Group E as favourites to win it but have collected just six points from five games. Therefore, they simply have to win tonight and hope Celtic do them a favour by beating Romanians CFR Cluj away from home. The Italians are enjoying a phenomenal domestic campaign. They have won eight of their last nine matches, including each of the last five. Even if they beat Rennes away from home, their fate will be hanging by a thread. Cluj knocked Celtic out of the Champions League qualifiers back in the summer and taking into account that the Romanians need just a point to go through, we should expect a thrilling ending in Group E.
Dangerous opponents await the runners-up
Ajax, Inter Milan, Benfica, RB Salzburg and Bayer Leverkusen were some of the top teams that were knocked out of the Champions League. The first four teams are seeded teams, meaning they will meet the runners-up in the last 32. Ajax were semi-finalists in last season Champions League while Inter Milan were in the group of death. The Italians also sit top of Serie A meaning many teams will want to avoid them in this early stage. Meanwhile, Salzburg came close to going through but ultimately came short and with Erling Braut Haaland in attack, they’re definitely a dangerous team that must be avoided. As a results, tonight teams have an extra incentive to claim first place in their groups.
Chance for Martinelli to impress, again
Arsenal’s youngster Gabriel Martinelli marked his first Premier League start with a goal in Arsenal’s 3-1 win over West Ham on Monday. At 18 years and 174 days old, Martinelli’s goal made him the youngest ever Arsenal player to score on their first league start. On Thursday, he has a chance to add to his Europa League tally when the Gunners meet Belgian side Standard Liege. Martinelli scored twice when they met in the reverse fixture which Arsenal won 4-0. With seven goals in 14 appearances so far this season, the young Brazilian is one of the few shining lights in Arsenal’s underwhelming season.
United to make it three wins in a row?
Following their worst start to the season in over 30 years, Manchester United are enduring an upturn in form. They have beaten Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City in their last two games and not many teams can say that. They have a chance to make it three wins in a row when they meet Dutch side AZ Alkmaar. The Red Devils have already secured a place in the last 32 but they’ll want to finish top of the Group L and avoid the likes of Inter Milan and Ajax. Wwith a ton of fixtures coming up this December Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team are hitting top form at the right moment.