Europa League

Leicester have given themselves work to do in Europa League Group C and really do need to take something from their trip to Spartak Moscow. That is easier said than done against a team which showed they mean business by upsetting Napoli in Italy on Matchday 2.

Celtic can’t afford any more Europa League slip-ups and will be looking to kick-start their campaign against fellow Group G strugglers Ferencvaros. The Hoops were upset by the Hungarian outfit in a Champions League qualifier last season but really should have cruised to victory.

West Ham will be looking to all-but secure a place in the last 16 of the Europa League by seeing off Genk at London Stadium. The Hammers have already claimed a couple of clinical victories and David Moyes would no doubt love to advance with the minimum of fuss.

Rangers know only a win will do when hosting Brondby in Europa League Group A after suffering two defeats so far in this competition. The visitors are also up against it with just one point and the incentive is there for both teams to go all out for victory.

Leicester’s stuttering start to the season continues but they are producing plenty of entertainment. The Foxes have been far from solid in defence and had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Burnley, just as they did in their Europa League Group C opener against Napoli.

West Ham are already on course to enjoy another successful season under David Moyes and should see off Rapid Vienna in the Europa League. The Austrian outfit travel to London on the back of four straight defeats and have gone three matches without scoring a goal.

Celtic failed to make it through last season’s Europa League group stage and could be struggling again this term in a tough pool. Having already lost away to Real Betis, the Hoops face a bang-in-form Bayer Leverkusen side eyeing a fourth straight win in all competitions.

Rangers were undone by Slavia Prague in last season’s Europa League, but may find injury-hit neighbours Sparta more accommodating. Steven Gerrard’s side need to be positive after losing to Lyon on Matchday 1 and have proven they can travel well in this competition.

Sturm Graz have been playing really well of late and may just feel they could catch PSV at the right time in Thursday’s Europa League clash. The visitors have lost two of their last three Eredivisie matches in Holland and have been very vulnerable at the back.

Rangers are finding form at just the right time as they welcome the seven-time French champions to Glasgow for what looks set to be an entertaining night at Ibrox. This is the first competitive meeting between the two clubs since the group stage of the 2007/8 Champions League, when Lyon took home all three points via a 3-0 scoreline.

Ange Postecoglou takes his Celtic side to Spain for what is the first meeting between these two clubs. The Hoops have a score to settle in Seville, travelling to the Andalusian capital for the first time since losing to Porto in the 2003 UEFA Cup final.

Leicester are yet to find their best form this season and look short of confidence as their Europa League campaign gets under way on Thursday night. The Foxes have lost two of their first four matches in the Premier League, losing 4-1 at West Ham last month and 1-0 at home to Manchester City on Saturday.

West Ham are back in Europe and will be determined to get off to get off to a flying start as they head to Croatia for their opening Europa League match. The Hammers are unbeaten in the Premier League after four matches but now begin the challenge of also competing in Europe, which could stretch their squad.