Ajax are in pole position to qualify from Champions League Group H, as they only need to avoid defeat against Valencia to book a place in the last 16. The Dutch giants will also be keen to claim top spot in this pool, though, and that makes them a solid pick to see off Los Che in Amsterdam.
Gary Rowett has got Millwall going in the right direction and they are fancied to edge out Nottingham Forest in Friday night’s Championship clash. The Lions have won this corresponding fixture for the past couple of seasons and may be facing the Reds at a good time following their loss to Cardiff.
This West Yorkshire rivalry is renewed on Saturday lunchtime when Championship high-flyers Leeds make the short trip to neighbours Huddersfield. The Terriers claimed the bragging rights two years ago when they did the double over their rivals on the way to promotion to the Premier League but it is the Whites who are on course for the top flight this time.
Preston have lost ground in the race for automatic promotion recently and Monday night’s Championship clash is a big test of their credentials for a top-two spot. These teams had contrasting fortunes in midweek and two successive defeats for North End have seen them drop eight points behind Albion.
Swansea and Fulham are both pushing for promotion from the Championship and a cagey contest could be on the cards in Wales. City are far from prolific up front on home turf, netting 11 times in nine games at Liberty Stadium, while the Cottagers have claimed just nine goals in eight away matches.
Arsenal have already won 3-0 away to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League this season but still may be worth opposing in the reverse fixture. The Gunners only need to avoid defeat at Emirates Stadium to reach the knockout rounds, whereas the German outfit are fighting for survival.
Rangers can move another step towards qualifying for the Europa League knockout stages by holding Feyenoord to a draw in Rotterdam. Steven Gerrard’s side shaded a 1-0 victory when these teams met in Glasgow on Matchday 1 but would almost certainly settle for a share of the spoils at De Kuip.
Celtic have been superb in Europa League Group E and can wrap up top spot by beating basement dwellers Rennes at Parkhead. These teams drew 1-1 in France on Matchday 1, but the Hoops have since claimed three straight wins, while Les Rouge et Noir have suffered a trio of defeats.
Manchester United made hard work of beating Astana at home in the Europa League but should be looking to secure a smoother success in the return fixture. The Kazakhstan outfit were resilient at Old Trafford, but have since had the stuffing knocked out of them by suffering three more defeats.
Wolves head to Portugal needing a point to guarantee a place in the last 32 of the Europa League with a game to spare in Group K. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men are second behind Thursday’s opponent and on the brink of qualifying thanks to a 1-0 victory against Slovan Bratislava in their previous European game.
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.
Chelsea’s home clash with Valencia in Champions League Group H was a tight and tense encounter and more of the same is expected at the Mestalla. These teams are locked together on seven points alongside Ajax after four rounds of fixtures and everything is still to play for in this pool.
Ajax have already beaten Lille 3-0 at home in the Champions League this season and the Dutch giants have repeatedly proved they travel well in Europe. Les Dogues have little to play for after picking up just one point from four outings in Group H and just seem a little bit out of their depth at this level.
Juventus are fancied to clinch top spot in Champions League Group D by seeing off main rivals Atletico Madrid at Allianz Stadium. The Bianconeri looked the better team during a 2-2 draw when these sides met in Spain on Matchday 1 and crushed Los Colchoneros 3-0 in Turin last term.