The first day of the Europa League’s maxi-group, spread over two days, ends with a string of interesting matches. Tonight, Lyon, led by former Roma and Milan coach Paulo Fonseca, takes the field in the Netherlands against Utrecht, which is preparing to return to the continental stage after a six-year absence.
Les Gones, who reached the quarterfinals in last season’s competition – suffering a dramatic elimination at the hands of Manchester United – are going strong in Ligue 1 (only defeats, with the exception of the loss to Rennes) and should be able to make their greater experience at this level count against the Dutch side. Utrecht, however, are not coming into this match on a high, having lost two consecutive games in the Eredivisie against the not-so-irresistible Fortuna Sittard and Groningen.
All eyes are also on Francesco Farioli’s Porto, which has gotten off to a flying start in Liga Portugal: the Dragoes have had a sparkling start, still with a perfect record after six league games and with amazing numbers (15 goals scored and just one conceded). The winning streak of the team coached by the young Italian coach should continue in Salzburg: the Austrians are not what they were a few years ago, as demonstrated by the fact that they are struggling even at home, where they are currently forced to chase Rapid Vienna and Sturm Graz (against the latter, they have just lost an important head-to-head match). The match between Stuttgart and Celta Vigo is also an intriguing one. The Germans have yet to lose a game at home and are likely to avoid defeat against the Galician club, which has only managed draws in La Liga (five 1-1 draws in a row in the Spanish top flight).
Predictions for the other matches
Rangers are certainly not shining in their own league (after five rounds, they are second from bottom, nine points behind the leaders), but last weekend they ended their winless streak by beating Hibernian 2-0 at Ibrox, giving them some breathing space.
However, Genk remain a tough opponent and, although the Scots have an extra gear at home, they could cause Russell Martin’s men a lot of headaches—already eliminated from the Champions League in the summer by another Belgian side, Club Brugge—in a game that is likely to see at least three goals scored. Another potentially exciting match is Ferencvaros vs. Viktoria Plzen, a rematch of last year’s playoff: both teams are scoring with some regularity.
Europa League: possible winners
Lyon or draw (in Utrecht-Lyon)
Porto (in Salzburg-Porto)
Stuttgart or draw (in Stuttgart-Celta Vigo)
The match with at least three goals in total
Rangers-Genk
Europa League: matches with at least one goal per team
Utrecht-Lyon
Ferencvaros-Viktoria Plzen
Odds comparison
A Porto win is priced at 2.00 on Goldbet, Lottomatica, and Snai. The “Goal” bet in Ferencvaros-Viktoria Plzen is quoted at 1.60 on Goldbet, Lottomatica, and Snai.