The Europa League is this week and West Ham United could secure their place in the knockout stages, while Leicester City, Celtic and Rangers have got some work to put in if they are to continue their European journeys. Here is all you need to know about matchday five.
Rapid Vienna v West Ham United
David Moyes’ side have been an exciting force on the domestic and European stage this season and a positive result in Austria will confirm their place in the knockout stages to top off an incredible year. The hosts have no chance of qualifying and have only managed one win in the first four games.
Where: Allianz Stadion, Vienna
When: Thursday 25th November, 5:45pm
How To Watch: BT Sport 1
Sportsman Stat: This is Rapid Vienna’s 300th match in European competition – including qualifiers, becoming the first Austrian side to reach the milestone.
Betfred Odds: Over 2.5 West Ham goals is 2/1.
Leicester City v Legia Warsaw
Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea at King Power Stadium on Saturday and their home form has been a massive concern, even going back to last season. They need to avoid defeat if they want to be in control of their fate heading into matchday six. Legia Warsaw occupy second spot, one point ahead of the Foxes – so this will be a crunch match for Leicester who did lose the reverse fixture to the Polish side.
Where: King Power Stadium, Leicester
When: Thursday 25th November, 8pm
How To Watch: BT Sport 2
Sportsman Stat: Legia Warsaw have faced 97 shots in the Europa League this season, 20 more than any other side. Despite that, six teams have conceded more goals than the Polish outfit (7).
Betfred Odds: Both teams to score is 6/5
Bayer Leverkusen v Celtic
The hosts could confirm their place in the knockout stages with a victory over Ange Postecoglou’s side, and they remain the only unbeaten team in Group G. The Hoops are four points behind the German outfit and will need a positive result if they wish to be in control of qualification when they face Real Betis on matchday six.
Where: BayArena, Leverkusen
When: Thursday 25th November, 5:45pm
How To Watch: BT Sport 3
Sportsman Stat: No team has forced more high turnovers in the Europa League this season than Celtic (47) with ten of those ending in a shot, the most of any team.
Betfred odds: Bayer Leverkusen to win and BTTS is 7/4
Rangers v Sparta Prague
Giovanni van Bronckhorst will oversee his first game in charge of the Gers as they welcome Sparta Prague to Ibrox Stadium. He will be thrown in at the deep end as it is a must-win game for the Scottish side if they are to have a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages. After suffering a Scottish League Cup semi-final defeat against Hibernian on Sunday, the Dutch manager will demand a response from his players. Both Rangers and Sparta lie on four points in Group A and the Gers will have Lyon to face on matchday six.
Where: Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow
When: Thursday 25th November, 8pm
How To Watch: BT Sport 3
Sportsman Stat: The last time Rangers hosted Sparta Prague for a European match, they won 2-1 in extra-time in the European Cup in October 1991 thanks to a brace from Stuart McCall.
Betfred odds: Rangers to win is 4/5
Full Europa League fixtures 24th-25th November
Wednesday
Spartak Moscow v Napoli
Thursday
Red Star Belgrade v Ludogorets
Rapid Vienna v West Ham United
FC Midtjylland v Braga
Lokomotiv Moscow v Lazio
Dinamo Zagreb v Genk
Real Betis v Ferencvaros
Galatasaray v Marseille
Bayer Leverkusen v Celtic
Olympiacos v Fenerbahce
PSV Eindhoven v SK Sturm Graz
Rangers v Sparta Prague
Leicester City v Legia Warsaw
Eintracht Frankfurt v Antwerp
Monaco v Real Sociedad
Brøndby v Lyon
18+ | BeGambleAware
