Barcelona vs. Man Utd (Thursday, 5.45pm)
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A blockbuster encounter between two European juggernauts takes place a Camp Nou on Thursday night as Barcelona play host to Manchester United in the first leg of their Europa League playoff.
The two teams have previously etched their names into Champions League folklore, but their latest meeting over two legs will be their first in Europe's secondary club competition.
We say: Barcelona 2-2 Manchester United
Barcelona are right to feel optimistic heading into Thursday's battle, but their impressive unbeaten run and defensive exploits are set to be put to the test by a Man United outfit who continue to go from strength to strength under Ten Hag.
Whether a tight affair or free-flowing contest will be on show at Camp Nou remains to be seen, but we are predicting the game to gradually morph into the latter, with the spoils shared in a closely-fought yet entertaining first-leg tie.
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> How Man United could line up against Barcelona
> How Barcelona could line up against Man United
> Barcelona injury, suspension list vs. Manchester United
> Man United injury, suspension list vs. Barcelona
Shakhtar vs. Rennes (Thursday, 5.45pm)
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Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk restart their competitive season with a Europa League knockout tie against Rennes on Thursday evening.
Shakhtar have not played a competitive fixture in three months, but will hope their excellent European pedigree can see them through over two legs here.
We say: Shakhtar Donetsk 0-2 Rennes
Losing their talisman as well as playing their home matches in another country suggests that Shakhtar may find this assignment much tougher than they would have done in previous years.
Rennes are hopelessly out of form but do have plenty of players on the pitch who can make the difference and should have more than Shakhtar on the night.
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Ajax vs. Union Berlin (Thursday, 5.45pm)
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Ajax and Union Berlin resume their continental efforts on Thursday evening when they square off in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie.
Both clubs are currently competing for silverware in their respective leagues, leaving it open to interpretation whether this competition is a distraction at this stage of the season.
We say: Ajax 1-1 Union Berlin
With both clubs in a period of strong form, this can only be a highly-competitive contest. There will be a desire to remain in the tie ahead of the second leg in Germany, and we would not be surprised to see a share of the spoils play out in Amsterdam.
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Salzburg vs. Roma (Thursday, 5.45pm)
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The Europa League knockout stages get underway on Thursday, when Red Bull Salzburg host Roma in the first leg of the teams' playoff round tie.
With a place in the last 16 at stake, the Austrian champions will want to take a lead to Rome next week, but their visitors are enjoying some fine form domestically and lifted the Europa Conference League title last term.
We say: Red Bull Salzburg 1-1 Roma
Both runners-up in the Europa League's predecessor - the UEFA Cup - during the 1990s, these clubs boast significant European pedigree and are seemingly well-matched.
Yet, Roma's recent form has shown they can grind out results where in the past they would have folded, so the visitors can return to Italy on level terms ahead of the second leg.
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Juventus vs. Nantes (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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After three months in hibernation, the Europa League returns on Thursday, when Juventus welcome Nantes to Turin for the first leg of the teams' playoff round tie.
With a place in the last 16 at stake, the crisis-hit Italian giants will want to take a lead to France, but their visitors are enjoying a purple patch at the moment, having lost just one of their last seven Ligue 1 games.
We say: Juventus 1-0 Nantes
The odd aberration aside, Juventus give very little away at the back, while Nantes are hardly prolific, for all their much-improved form. A low-scoring encounter should ensue, and a one-goal margin of victory for the Old Lady would keep the tie finely balanced ahead of next week's second leg.
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Sporting Lisbon vs. Midtjylland (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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Sporting Lisbon and FC Midtjylland go head to head at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in the first leg of their Europa League knockout-stage clash on Thursday.
Ruben Amorim's side, who are currently 15 off the top of the Primeira Liga standings, will be looking to return to winning ways and kick off their hunt for continental glory on a high.
We say: Sporting Lisbon 3-1 FC Midtjylland
While Midtjylland will be looking to maintain their recent run, they go up against a Sporting Lisbon side who have won seven of their last nine home matches. Amorim's side boasts the firepower needed to get the job done and we are backing them to come away with a comfortable victory
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B. Leverkusen vs. Monaco (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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For the fourth time in a European competition, Bayer Leverkusen and Monaco will tussle on Thursday at BayArena in Germany in the opening leg of their knockout playoff round tie in the Europa League.
Les Monegasques advanced to this stage by finishing second in Group H, while Die Schwarzroten were relegated to this tournament when they wound up third in the group phase of the Champions League.
We say: Bayer Leverkusen 1-2 Monaco
Monaco seem to come to life every season at the beginning of the calendar year, and their form domestically has been a lot more consistent when compared to their German counterparts this month.
Leverkusen have been better at home in the Bundesliga of late but have not been quite as sharp against the elite teams in Germany, and there is not much evidence to suggest they can improve their poor form in Europe.
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Sevilla vs. PSV (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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Sevilla and PSV Eindhoven do battle in Spain on Thursday as both clubs square off in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie.
At a time when the home side occupy 12th position in the La Liga standings, PSV are down in fourth spot in the Eredivisie table.
We say: Sevilla 2-1 PSV Eindhoven
On paper and current form, this feels like an extremely well-matched tie, and one that we expect to go the distance before a ball has been kicked. However, as far as Thursday is concerned, we are backing Sevilla to continue their recent resurgence and battle their way to victory by the goal in three.
