Europa League

Sporting have recovered well from a 3-2 loss away to PSV on Matchday 1 of Europa League Group D and are fancied to gain revenge in Portugal. The Lions rattled off three straight wins in this competition following a change of leadership and have also shown improved form when on domestic duty.

Wolves did well to come from behind and beat Slovan Bratislava 2-1 in Slovakia and are fancied to come out on top in another open encounter at Molineux. Wanderers are currently a point behind Europa League Group K leaders Braga, with their opponents three points back in third at the halfway stage.

Celtic edged out Lazio 2-1 in a cracking Europa League contest at Parkhead, but we’re backing the Serie A outfit to claim revenge in the reverse fixture. The Hoops have a dreadful record when travelling to Italy in UEFA competitions, suffering nine defeats in 12 winless trips to this country.

Rangers were good value for their point when drawing 1-1 away to Porto in the Europa League and are fancied to come out on top in the return fixture. Both teams are on four points in what is proving a very tight pool, but home advantage has generally been the deciding factor in this section.

United haven’t been pretty to watch in the Europa League, but they are just about getting the job done and should see off Partizan Belgrade. The Red Devils top the Group L table on seven points after winning 1-0 in Serbia and will be all but through if doing the double over Savo Milosevic’s side.

PSV are going through a rocky patch in the Eredivisie but travelling to Linz to take on LASK in the Europa League could prove a welcome respite. The Dutch outfit were much the better team when these sides played out a goalless draw in Eindhoven a couple of weeks ago and still top the Group D table.

Feyenoord are facing an uphill battle to qualify from Europa League Group G after losing away to Young Boys two weeks ago but can gain quick revenge in Rotterdam. Home advantage has been a decisive factor in the fixtures so far in this pool and we’re hoping that trend continues at De Kuip.

Arsenal just edged out Vitoria 3-2 in an entertaining Europa League encounter at Emirates Stadium and we’re expecting a similar outcome in Portugal. The Gunners are flying high at the top of the Group F table with nine points from three games, whereas their hosts have yet to get off the mark.

Torino played to Wolves’ strengths in the first leg of their Europa League tie and it may be a case of more of the same at Molineux. Wanderers returned from Italy with a 3-2 lead, despite only having 37 per cent of the possession, and can again catch their opponents out on the counter-attack.

Rangers returned from Poland with a satisfactory goalless stalemate against Legia Warsaw and will now be confident of reaching the Europa League group stage. Steven Gerrard’s side have rattled off four straight home wins this season, with 17 goals scored and just two conceded at Ibrox.

Celtic were good value for last week’s 2-0 Europa League win over AIK and are fancied to confirm their superiority with another success in Sweden. The Hoops had chances to increase that advantage when their opponents were forced to chase the game late on and can capitalise on a similar scenario.

Wolves can afford to ease off when hosting Pyunik in the second leg of their Europa League qualifier, having already come back from Armenia with a 4-0 advantage. Wanderers boss Nuno Espirito Santo could now be forgiven for having one eye on Monday’s Premier League clash with Man Utd.

Rangers were really impressive going forward when beating Midtjylland 4-2 away and can do the double over the Danes in this Europa League qualifier. Steven Gerrard’s side have been in rampant form up front so far this season and the manager will be keen to maintain that momentum at Ibrox.

Aberdeen have a mountain to climb against Rijeka after losing the first leg of their Europa League qualifier 2-0 and we fear this challenge is beyond them. Derek McInnes has never made it past this point in five previous attempts with the Dons and everything points towards more heartbreak.