42 goals were scored on Europa League matchday one, with Lazio contributing four to this total.
Meanwhile, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise won their first-ever match in a UEFA group stage, while Real Sociedad were victorious in England for the very first time.
There’s a slightly reduced card of 15 matches this week:
Arsenal vs PSV Eindhoven has been postponed due to ‘the severe limitations on police resources’ following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
So, here’s a preview of all the games that are going ahead across the continent.
Group tables:
Group A: Bodø/Glimt vs FC Zürich
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Bodø/Glimt vs FC Zürich
Bodø/Glimt to win 3-1 against FC Zürich- 10/1!
Will Bodø/Glimt’s remarkable European home form continue?
The Norwegian champions have won 13 consecutive continental home fixtures, notably beating Roma (twice) and Celtic en route to last season’s Europa Conference League quarter-finals.
Last week, competing in the Europa League group phase for the first time, the Yellow Horde earned a credible draw away to PSV Eindhoven.
Albert Grønbæk breaking the deadlock in the Netherlands on the cusp of half time.
Now, with the night’s other fixture not taking place, will Kjetil Knutsen’s team move top of Group A?
Swiss Champions Zürich were pre-tournament favourites to finish bottom and that’s the position they already occupy.
Mirlind Kryeziu did equalise from the penalty spot against Arsenal at Kybunpark, but the English giants left St. Gallen with a 2-1 victory.
Franco Foda’s team did beat Linfield in Belfast and Hearts in Edinburgh during qualifying, but Zürich had only won two of their previous 16 European away fixtures beforehand.
So, Bodø/Glimt are big favourites to make it 14 straight wins at Aspmyra Stadion.
Group B: Dynamo Kyiv vs AEK Larnaca
Dynamo Kyiv vs AEK Larnaca
Dynamo Kyiv to win 2-0 against AEK Larnaca- 7/1!
Both clubs were beaten 2-1 a week ago, so both will be keen to get off the mark at Stadion Cracovii im. Józefa Piłsudskiego.
Dynamo Kyiv looked set to hold Fenerbahçe to a draw, Viktor Tsyhankov equalising in İstanbul, only for the hosts to win it in stoppage time.
Mircea Lucescu’s side overcame both Fenerbahçe and Sturm Graz during qualifying, a remarkable feat given the ongoing Russian invasion.
This means Dynamo Kyiv have qualified for a UEFA group stage in 17 successive seasons, but they haven’t finished higher than third in a group since 2018.
Playing at their temporary home in Poland, will the Blue and Whites claim an historic victory?
Meanwhile, AEK Larnaca were beaten 2-1 by Rennes in Cyprus; Oier Sanjurjo equalising before the French outfit snatched the points with the final kick of the night.
The Green-Yellows overcame Partizan and Dnipro-1 in qualification, but have only ever won two of 13 matches in group stages.
Dynamo Kyiv, despite having home advantage only in name, are favourites in Kraków.
Group B: Stade Rennais vs Fenerbahçe
Group B’s two victorious sides from the opening night will both be seeking to maintain their perfect starts in Brittany.
Stade Rennais dramatically beat AEK Larnaca in Cyprus, with Lorenz Assignon snatching a 94th minute winner.
Les Rouge et Noir are appearing in a UEFA group stage for the fifth successive season, falling to Leicester in the Europa Conference League round of 16 last time round.
Rennes are also unbeaten in five UEFA home matches, a record Bruno Génésio’s side will be looking to extend here.
As for Fenerbahçe, this’ll be their tenth visit to France, with their only victories coming in Bordeaux in 1985 and Marseille in 2012.
The Yellow Canaries beat Dynamo Kyiv at Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium last Thursday, with Michy Batshuayi bundling home the stoppage time winner on debut.
Jorge Jesus’ task is to lead the Turkish giants into the knockout stages of this competition for the first time since 2018/19.
Here, will Rennes make home advantage count at Roazhon Park?
Group C: Real Betis vs Ludogorets Razgrad
Real Betis vs Ludogorets Razgrad
Real Betis to win 2-0 against Ludogorets- 11/2!
Group C’s two victors from matchday one go head-to-head at Estadio Benito Villamarín.
Real Betis comfortably beat HJK a week ago; Willian José bagging a brace in Helsinki.
Los Verdiblancos began last season’s Europa League with back-to-back wins and have never lost a home group game in this tournament.
So, having moved up to third in La Liga by beating Villarreal on Sunday night, Manuel Pellegrini’s team are big favourites to win here.
Ludogorets Razgrad though have already proven that they’re capable of springing a surprise.
The Eagles beat Roma 2-1 a week ago; Cauly and Nonato on target, the latter doing so mere seconds after the Italian side had equalised.
This is the Bulgarian Champions’ seventh successive season in a group stage, although they’ve ended up rock bottom of each of the last two.
So, that was Ludogorets’ first European win (excluding qualifiers) since October 2019, ending an 18-match barren run.
In less good news, they’ve lost all three previous trips to Spain, 1-0, 4-0 and 6-0, with this one set to go the same way.
Group C: Roma vs HJK
Read more about Roma vs HJK by clicking here.
Just when Roma fans started to believe this could be a season to remember, they’ve come crashing back down to earth.
I Giallorossi accumulated ten points from four Serie A games in August, notably outplaying Juventus in a 1-1 draw at home.
However, in their first match of this month, José Mourinho’s men were truly shambolic in a 4-0 defeat at Udinese, their biggest defeat againt a side from outside ‘le Sette Sorelle’ since 2010.
This form then continued into this competition with Roma suffering a shock matchday one defeat to Ludogorets last Thursday.
Eldor Shomurodov had seemingly snatched a point in Razgrad, only for the Bulgarian champions to go straight up the other end and retake the lead.
On Monday night, they did at least stop the rot, beating Empoli 2-1 thanks to Paulo Dybala’s gorgeous opener and Tammy Abraham’s winner from close-range.
Back in this competition, with a double-header against Real Betis coming up, la Lupa really can’t afford another slip up here.
HJK meantime are just delighted to be in the Europa League group stages, overcoming RFS, Maribor and Silkeborg in qualifiers to get here.
So, the fact Toni Koskela’s side looked out of their depth on matchday one, beaten 2-0 by Betis in Helsinki, isn’t too surprising.
When the draw was made, HJK were probably aiming to oust Ludogorets into third, so anything they claim in the Eternal City will be a massive bonus.
Given that the Finnish champions have lost both previous visits to Italy, a home win should be on the cards at Stadio Olimpico.
Group D: Braga vs Union Berlin
Braga vs Union Berlin
Braga to win 2-1 against Union Berlin- 8/1!
They may be top of the Bundesliga right now, but Union Berlin are yet to get off the mark in this competition.
On Sunday, Die Eisernen beat Köln 1-0, so sit top of the top-division for the very first time in their entire history.
In this competition though, Urs Fischer’ team kicked off with a shock 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Royale Union Saint-Gilloise last Thursday.
Having been forced to play last season’s European matches at the Olympiastadion, this was supposed to be an occasion to savour at Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
Now, will Union Berlin be victorious as they visit Portugal for the very first time?
Braga meantime comfortably won 2-0 in Malmö last mid-week; Bruno Rodrigues and Ricardo Horta the scorers.
The Archbishops certainly know their way around the Europa League, reaching the 2011 final with this their eighth appearance in the group phase in 11 seasons.
Having reached the quarter-finals of this competition last year, Artur Jorge’s team would love something similar this time round.
Braga actually won five of six European home games last season, drawing the other.
Thus, those inside the iconic Estádio Municipal de Braga will be expecting their team will deliver three points.
Group D: Royale Union Saint-Gilloise vs Malmö
Royale Union Saint-Gilloise made their debut in a UEFA group stage last Thursday, although based on their performance you wouldn’t have known it.
A week ago, Senne Lynen’s goal on the cusp of half time saw les Unionistes beat Union Berlin 1-0 at Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
Union SG finished second in Belgium’s top-flight last season, as a newly-promoted club no less, so are competing in Europe for the first time since 1964.
Karel Geraerts’ team beat Rangers 2-0 in Champions League qualifying last month, before losing the second leg 3-0 at Ibrox.
Nevertheless, the former will ensure USG are confident of another victory at their temporary home of Den Dreef.
Malmö meanwhile boast vastly more continental expirence, but are currently at the foot of Group D, easily beaten by Braga last mid-week.
The Swedish Champions were competing in the Champions League 12 months ago, with this their seventh group phase appearance in 11 seasons.
However, Malmö have never won in Belgium, losing their last two visits in Mechelen in 1989 and in Genk four years ago.
So, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise should be confident of victory in Leuven.
Group E: FC Sheriff Tiraspol vs Manchester United
Read more about Sheriff vs Manchester United by clicking here.
FC Sheriff Tiraspol vs Manchester United
Manchester United to win 3-0 against Sheriff- 13/2!
Having lost at home in the Europa League for the first time in a decade, nothing less than three points will do for Manchester United, as they make the long 1,432 mile pilgrimage to Chișinău.
Last Thursday, Group E’s big two met at Old Trafford, with Real Sociedad winning a generally uneventful affair 1-0.
La Real’s winner came from the penalty spot with Lisandro Martínez penalised for handball; it’s universally agreed that this was a baffling call.
Having not been in action last weekend, and with Sunday’s game against Leeds almost certainly off, Erik ten Hag will be looking for a reaction here.
As for the hosts, outwith true football hipsters, few were familiar with FC Sheriff Tiraspol 12 months ago.
That is until they became the first Moldovan club to qualify for the Champions League group stages before beating Real Madrid 2-1 at the Bernabéu.
Since then though, manager Yuriy Vernydub has joined the Ukrainian Army, with numerous key players also departing.
Thus, Sheriff struggled during the summer qualifiers, narrowly beating HŠK Zrinjski Mostar and Maribor, losing to Viktoria Plzeň and then needing a penalty shootout to oust Pyunik.
Having said all of that, Stjepan Tomas’ side were superb on matchday one, demolishing Omonia 3-0 in Nicosia.
Rasheed Akanbi opening the scoring after less than 100 seconds, before Iyayi Atiemwen and Mouhamed Diop secured the victory.
Given that Sheriff have won 20 of the last 22 Divizia Națională titles, the successfulness of their season is determined in Europe.
Unfortunately for them, due to Transnistria’s close ties with Russia, this game will not take place in Tiraspol.
39 miles west at Zimbru Stadium, it’ll still be a big occasion, so can the Moldovan champions famously defeat Manchester United?
Group E: Real Sociedad vs Omonia
Following an historic victory at Old Trafford, can Real Sociedad continue to assert their authority in Group E?
Last Thursday, Brais Méndez’s penalty saw La Real beat Manchester United in one of the shocks of the opening nights.
Los Txuri-Urdin’s last three Europa League campaigns have all followed the same pattern; finish second in their group before losing in the first knockout round.
This time, with that statement victory under the belts, Imanol Alguacil’s team are aiming for top spot.
Omonia meanwhile were demolished 3-0 by FC Sheriff Tiraspol in Nicosia on matchday one.
Neil Lennon’s team hammered Gent in the play-off round, but were then dreadful in their group opener.
This is Omonia’s third successive season in a group stage, but they’ve now only won one of 13 matches.
The Cypriot Cup winners lost their only previous visit to Spain, beaten by Granada two years ago, with this one at Anoeta likely to be a repeat.
Group F: Feyenoord vs Sturm Graz
Feyenoord vs Sturm Graz
Feyenoord to win 3-1 against Sturm Graz- 10/1!
Feyenoord reached last season’s Europa Conference League Final, but early indications are that they’ll find life in this competition a little tougher.
On matchday one, the Dutch giants found themsleves 4-0 down against Lazio, with Santiago Giménez’s late brace at Stadio Olimpico making the scoreline a tad less embarrassing.
Despite last year’s run in the third-tier tournament, Feyenoord have not reached the knockout phase of a higher-level continental competition since 2014/15.
If Arne Slot’s team are to change that, De Kuip will need to remain a fortress.
De club aan de Maas were unbeaten in European home matches last season, winning eight of nine.
Sturm Graz meantime were victorious last Thursday; Emanuel Emegha’s early goal downing Midtjylland at Liebenauer Stadium
Die Schwoazn finished bottom of their group 12 months ago, so are targeting a place in the knockouts for the first time since 1983/84.
Will the partisan home crowd road Feyenoord to victory in Rotterdam?
Group F: Midtjylland vs Lazio
Will Lazio make it two wins out of two to start their Europa League campaign?
Last Thursday, I Biancocelesti were 4-0 up against Feyenoord after little over an hour, before going onto win 4-2.
Luis Alberto and Felipe Anderson both on target, before Matías Vecino bagged a brace at Stadio Olimpico.
Lazio are competing in a tenth UEFA group stage in 11 seasons, nine of which have been in this competition.
However, in this period, their best runs have been the quarter-finals, in 2013 and 2018, so are hoping for better under Maurizio Sarri, who lifted this trophy with Chelsea three years ago.
Here, will Lazio leave Herning top of the group?
FC Midtjylland meantime were disappointing in their group opener, beaten 1-0 by Sturm Graz in Austria.
That means the Wolves have now lost three successive European fixtures, winning just four of their last 23 outings in UEFA competition.
Should that form continue, Albert Capellas’ side will finish rock bottom of Group F.
All in all, Lazio will fancy their chances at MCH Arena.
Group G: Olympiacos vs Freiburg
Olympiacos vs Freiburg
Olympiacos to draw 1-1 with Freiburg- 11/2!
Olympiacos are very much part of the furniture in European football, but their recent form is alarming.
On matchday one, the Greek Champions were beaten 2-1 by Nantes at Stade de la Beaujoire, conceding in the third minute of stoppage time.
Earlier this season, they were dumped out of Champions League qualifying by Maccabi Haifa, hammered 4-0 in Piraeus.
Carlos Corberán’s team did then overcome ŠK Slovan Bratislava and Apollon Limassol, but drew all four of those matches, thereby needing penalties both times.
Overall, Olympiacos are now winless in ten outings in UEFA competition, and ending that streak won’t be easy in a tough section.
No such concerns for Freiburg, who beat Qarabağ 2-1 a week ago, with Vincenzo Grifo and Ritsu Dōan both on target early at Europa-Park Stadion.
The Bundesliga club finished third in their only other UEFA group stage appearance, this coming nine years ago, so are targeting the knockouts for the very first time.
Will Christian Streich’s side leave Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium with a famous victory?
Group G: Qarabağ vs Nantes
After a dramatic return to European action on matchday one, will Nantes make it two wins out of two, as they make the long, 2,500+ mile journey east to Bakı?
Last Thursday, Evann Guessand’s last-gasp goal saw Nantes beat Olympiacos 2-1 at Stade de la Beaujoire.
This was la Maison Jaune’s first match in UEFA competition for 21 years, qualifying as Coupe de France winners.
Antoine Kombouaré's team though aren’t just here to make up the number, looking to lead les Canaris into the knockout phase.
Qarabağ meantime were beaten 2-1 by Freiburg last mid-week; Marko Vešović's long-range strike unable to spark a comeback.
This is the Horseman’s ninth successive season in a UEFA group stage, with last year the first time they’ve ever finished in the top two, doing so in the Europa Conference League.
Excluding qualifiers, Gurban Gurbanov’s side have only won one of their last 17 European home games, a 2-1 victory over Kairat 11 months ago.
So, will Nantes leave Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium with all three points?
Group H: Trabzonspor vs Crvena zvezda
Trabzonspor vs Crvena zvezda
Trabzonspor to win 1-0 against Red Star Belgrade- 15/2!
After both were beaten on matchday one, who will get back on track in Trabzon?
Hosts Trabzonspor won their first Süper Lig title since 1984 last season, but this hasn’t yet improved their fortunes on the continent.
A week ago, they were beaten 3-2 by Ferencváros, with Maxi Gómez and Umut Bozok scoring in vain in Budapest.
So, including their Champions League play-off defeat to København, Trabzonspor are now winless in 14 European outings.
Their last victory, excluding qualifiers, came against Metalist Kharkiv eight years ago.
Red Star Belgrade meantime suffered an extremely rare home defeat last Thursday, beaten 1-0 by Monaco.
The Serbian champions reached the round of 16 of this competition just last year, their best run in UEFA competition since lifting the European Cup in 1991.
However, after Crvena zvezda were beaten in the Champions League play-offs by Maccabi Haifa, Dejan Stanković immediately resigned.
So, can Trabzonspor finally end their agonising wait for a European victory at Şenol Güneş Sports Complex?
Group H: Monaco vs Ferencváros
Will either side continue their perfect start in Group H in the Principality?
Last Thursday, Breel Embolo’s composed penalty just 15 minutes from time saw Monaco beat Crvena zvezda 1-0 in Serbia.
Les Monégasques reached the round of 16 of the Europa League last season, having finished bottom of their previous two UEFA groups.
So now, Monaco are looking to win their first two matches of a group phase for the first time since 2003, reaching the Champions League Final no less that season.
Ferencváros meantime also have three points on the board, beating Trabzonspor in a five-goal thriller in Budapest last time out.
All three of the Green Eagles’ goals came in the first half; Tokmac Nguen bagging a brace with Adama Traoré netting in-between.
This is the Hungarian champions fourth successive season in a UEFA group stage, although they’ve never reached the knockout phase in the modern era.
If Stanislav Cherchesov’s team do leave Stade Louis II with a positive result, they’ll already be in a great position to change that fact.
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