Europa League fixtures today – your guide to Thursday’s games

The Europa League returns to our screens for the third instalment of 2023/24 group stage action on Thursday evening.

The postponement of Villarreal’s clash with Israeli outfit Maccabi Haifa means there is one fewer game on the schedule this week, with four British clubs once again in action.

It was a positive week for Premier League clubs last time out, although Brighton in particular have work to do if they’re to progress from a compact Group B.

Here’s everything you need to know about Thursday’s Europa League action.

The Europa Conference League champions have been such impressive performers in Europe under David Moyes.

West Ham were Europa League semi-finalists two seasons ago and have now made an excellent start to this campaign. The Hammers are two from two in Group A after beating Freiburg away from home on Matchday 2.

However, another tricky away trip beckons off the back of a 4-1 beatdown at Aston Villa on Sunday. Olympiacos could do with snatching all three points after claiming just a point from their opening two games.

Matchday 2 was a disaster for Rangers as they were beaten by Aris Limassol in Cyprus. Having made such a good start to the group by beating Real Betis, the Scottish giants are now back to square one.

On a positive note, they will have a manager in charge for Thursday’s fixture after Steve Davis oversaw their defeat to Limassol. Philippe Clement has been appointed as Michael Beale’s successor.

Their Matchday 3 encounter is a tough one away at Sparta Prague. The Czechs opened their account with a win over Limassol before they were beaten in Betis, leaving all four teams with three points in Group C.

Marseille, bouyed by the arrival of Gennaro Gattuso as manager, seemed intent on adding to Brighton’s European misery on Matchday 2 when they raced into a 2-0 first half lead, but the Seagulls fought back after the restart and rescued a point.

Brighton will take a bundle of confidence from their showing in France, although they are winless in five games in all competitions.

Nevertheless, surely Roberto De Zerbi’s side will have too much for this sorry Ajax side to handle? The Dutch giants parted ways with Maurice Steijn after yet another defeat at the weekend. Ajax have notched draws both of their group games but currently sit 17th in the Eredivisie having won just one of seven league encounters.

Jurgen Klopp has made use of his squad at the start of Liverpool’s Europa League journey and will likely rely on his fringe players once again to get the job done on Thursday.

The Reds returned to winning ways with a 2-0 win in the Merseyside derby on Saturday and have so far recorded a perfect record in the group stage. LASK and Union Saint-Gilloise have both been beaten by the Premier League side.

Toulouse are next to enter the Anfield cauldron and have made a positive start to their European campaign having notched four points from a possible six. However, their Ligue 1 mediocrity so far this season suggests they won’t be much of a test for Klopp’s side.

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