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

Four British clubs are in action as the Europa League returns for the second round of group stage fixtures on Thursday.

This is a competition English and Scottish clubs have fared pretty well in as of late, although there hasn’t been a winner from these shores since Manchester United beat Ajax under Jose Mourinho in the 2017 final.

Liverpool, returning to the Europa for the first time since 2016, sit among the favourites to go all the way, while West Ham’s and Rangers’ recent continental travails may well stand them in good stead this season. Oh, and don’t forget about Brighton on their European bow.

Here’s 90min’s guide to each of the British clubs’ upcoming Europa League fixtures on Matchday 2.

West Ham‘s victory on Matchday 1 eases the pressure on this tricky away tie in Freiburg.

While the Bundesliga outfit are bereft of superstars, manager Christian Streich is one of the shrewdest coaches Germany has to offer and has worked a mini-miracle to get Freiburg to where they are now. Robust, resilient, direct, and aggressive, the hosts will ensure Thursday’s duel is a proper battle.

David Moyes will undoubtedly appreciate Streich’s work and the Scotsman will be seeking to outmanoeuvre his German counterpart.

This has the makings of a special night for Brighton. While the Seagulls were beaten on Matchday 1 by AEK Athens, they now have the chance to make amends by winning at a fervent Velodrome.

Marseille recently appointed Gennaro Gattuso as boss following Marcelino’s resignation and the Ligue 1 outfit should be emboldened by the arrival of the Italian.

However, these are the sorts of occasions Brighton fans craved when Roberto De Zerbi guided them into this competition last season. It’s time for the Seagulls to claim a statement European victory at an iconic venue.

Rangers’ 1-0 victory over Real Betis was one of the few highlights of Michael Beale’s tenure. The Scottish giants have since parted ways with the former QPR boss following an indifferent start to the domestic campaign.

Thus, Steven Davis will take charge of the Gers on Thursday night as they travel to Cyprus to take on Aris Limassol.

Currently sitting fifth in the Cypriot top flight, Limassol started their Europa League campaign with a defeat to Slavia Prague. This is a contest Rangers should win, but their patchy start to the season suggests it may be a banana skin.

Has anyone seen the controversy involving Liverpool at the moment? Not much has been made of it. Something about a dodgy offside? No?

Anyway, let’s move on. Jurgen Klopp will undoubtedly want Saturday’s injustice to light a fire within his players, and Union Saint-Gilloise may feel the brunt of their frustration when they travel to Anfield on Thursday night.

The Reds are set to rotate for this midweek encounter, but they should still have plenty to bypass the visitors, who sit atop the Belgian Pro League heading into this one.

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90 Mins