The Europa League is back with Rangers, Celtic, West Ham and Leicester City all in action across the next week. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of a busy few days across the continent…
Celtic vs Ferencváros
Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic will be desperate to get up and running in Group G, having tasted two defeats from two in the Europa League so far, rooting them to the bottom of the table. Fortunately for the Hoops, up next is Ferencváros and they’ve had a similarly woeful start to the group stages, losing both of their openers themselves. Celtic know they will have to beat the Hungarians both home and away to stand any chance of progressing to the knockouts.
Where: Celtic Park
When: Tuesday, 3.30pm
How To Watch: BT Sport 1
Sportsman Stat: The Hoops have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 14 games in the competition.
Betfred Odds: Celtic - 4/6, Draw - 3/1, Ferencváros - 9/2
Spartak Moscow vs Leicester City
The Foxes head to Russia on a high, having come from behind to beat Manchester United 4-2 at Old Trafford this weekend. They’ll need all the motivation they can get their hands on after a tepid start to the group stages though, having taken just a point form their two opening ties. Spartak Moscow won’t be beaten easily either - the red and whites were defeated by Legia Warsaw in their first group game but bounced back from that to impressively beat Napoli away last time out.
Where: Otkritie Arena
When: Wednesday, 3.30pm
How To Watch: BT Sport 2
Sportsman Stat: Leicester have won just one of their last seven Europa League matches, and are winless in their last four.
Betfred Odds: Spartak Moscow - 7/2, Draw - 13/5, Leicester City - 17/20
West Ham vs Genk
In contrast to Britain’s other Europa League representatives this season, the Hammers are absolutely flying in the competition so far, beating Dinamo Zagreb and Rapid Vienna to give themselves a commanding position at the top of Group H. Genk sit third with three points after beating Rapid in the opener before being handily 3-0 beaten by Zagreb. Liverpool-linked Nigerian international Onuachu is one to keep an eye, having scored 29 goals in the Belgian top flight last term.
Where: London Stadium
When: Thursday, 8pm
How To Watch: BT Sport 2
Sportsman Stat: Declan Rice could become the third West Ham player to score in three consecutive appearances in a major European competition (excluding qualifiers).
Betfred Odds: West Ham - 2/5, Draw - 4/1, Genk - 15/2
Rangers vs Brondby
Don’t expect too many goals in this one. Rangers and Brondy, along with Rapid Vienna, are the only three teams not to score in the Europa League so far this season. Steven Gerrard’s men will be desperate to turn their fortunes around on the continent, having lost three of their last four games in European competition - as many defeats as in their previous 26 matches in Europe beforehand. The Danes seem like the perfect foil to get Rangers back on track.
Where: Ibrox Stadium
When: Thursday, 8pm
How To Watch: BT Sport 3
Sportsman Stat: Rangers have won seven out of eight meetings with Danish sides, most recently beating Midtjylland home and away during Europa League qualifying in 2019/20.
Betfred Odds: Rangers - 8/15, Draw - 10/3, Brondby - 11/2
Full Europa League Fixtures 20th-21st October
Tuesday
Celtic vs Ferencváros
Wednesday
Spartak Moscow vs Leicester City
Thursday
Rapid Vienna vs Dinamo Zagreb
Real Betis vs Bayer Leverkusen
Lazio vs Marseille
Fenerbahce vs Antwerp
Ludogorets vs Braga
Midtjylland vs Red Star Belgrade
Sparta Prague vs Lyon
SK Sturm Graz vs Real Sociedad
West Ham vs Genk
Lokomotiv Moscow vs Galatasaray
Napoli vs Legia Warsaw
PSV vs Monaco
Rangers vs Brondby
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Olympiacos
