European club football returns in the first week back after the international break and it’s crunch time for several clubs in what has been a highly competitive UEFA Europa League season.
Olympique Lyon are the only team in the tournament with a 100% winning record, which they are tipped to continue, while Napoli are predicted to consolidate a strong start to the campaign.
There are also opportunities for PSV Eindhoven and Lazio, for whom European fortunes have been mixed this season.
24 November: Spartak Moscow v Napoli
The matchday starts with a clash between Spartak Moscow and Serie A table-toppers Napoli at the Otkritie Arena in Moscow.
Napoli top Group C and have seen three or more goals in all of their four Europa League matches thus far in the current campaign, scoring 11 in total.
Spartak Moscow are winless in seven matches in all competitions, with that run including defeats to Leicester City (4-3), Zenit (7-1), and most recently Krasnodar (2-1). On paper, this looks likely to be another high-scoring Napoli victory.
25 November: Lokomotiv Moscow v Lazio
Lokomotiv Moscow are winless in their last three matches, including a 2-1 home defeat to Akhmat Grozny in their most recent game. They are unlikely to topple Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio, who beat them 2-0 in the reverse fixture.
With a Lazio win paying just short of even money at the time of writing, this is a bet which could yield fairly high returns for relatively low risk.
25 November: Rapid Vienna v West Ham United
West Ham have been one of the standout teams of the competition so far and they top Group H with 10 points from four matches, while Rapid Vienna have three points from four games.
David Moyes’ men have been hugely impressive in the Premier League this season and it is likely that they will cement the top spot in their group with another victory in Vienna after a 2-0 triumph in the reverse fixture.
25 November: PSV Eindhoven v Sturm Graz
PSV have been in fine, free-scoring form in the Netherlands, with four straight home Eredivisie wins under their belt. Against Sturm Graz, who they beat 4-1 on the road, they should have little trouble picking up another comfortable win at the Philips Stadion.
The Dutch side will likely go all out to win this game, as there is plenty riding on it. They are battling with Monaco and Real Sociedad for knockout places in a race that looks set to go to the wire.
25 November: Brøndby v Lyon
Lyon are the Europa League’s form team and they will be up against Group A whipping boys Brøndby. Lyon won 3-0 at home when these teams last met and are currently paying above even money for another victory on the road.
The French giants are predicted to continue their perfect streak in Europe this season at the Brøndby Stadium.