Salzburg have lost all three of their Europa League away games at Lyon, Bologna and Freiburg and another defeat may follow at Aston Villa, who had reeled off 11 straight home wins before losing to Everton most recently. That said, the Austrians pack a punch in the final third and Villa, having already secured a top-eight finish, are expected to make some changes.

Stuttgart need a win and potentially by a big margin if they are to break into the top eight, while Young Boys are clinging on to a play-off spot. VfB have scored at least three goals in five of their last eight games and are facing a Young Boys side who have shipped at least three in four of their last five games. An early home goal would open this fixture up and Stuttgart have the tools to take advantage, they can grab at least three goals here.

Brann know a win would guarantee a play-off place and they should be able to get the three points they need at already eliminated Sturm Graz. The visitors have gone six games without a clean sheet, however, and Sturm Graz have scored in nine of their last 12 home games so Brann may concede in victory in Austria.

Crvena Zvezda have the better chance of breaking into the top eight with a win and they can make the most of home advantage to overcome Celta. Red Star have seven wins and just one defeat in their last 10 at home and have beaten both Lille and FCSB at this venue in the Europa League, while Celta have two defeats in three trips in this competition.

Utrecht have lost their last five matches and they suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to Genk in the Europa League last week before limping to a 1-0 loss to Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday. The visitors have been beaten on European trips to Betis, Brann and Freiburg and Celtic look rejuvenated.

A point would probably be enough for Braga to finish in the top eight and GA Eagles need all three to stand any chance of progress. The visitors have seen goals at both ends in four of their last five trips, while both teams have scored in nine of GAE’s last 10 games. With both sides in need of points, goals at both ends looks likely.

Roma need a win to lock in a top eight finish, while Panathinaikos will finish in the play-offs whatever happens. The hosts are on a three-game winless run and Roma have won their last four European games, the visitors should be able to claim the points they need for a passage straight through to the last 16.

Plzen are yet to lose in the Europa League but that record may end in Switzerland. The visitors are guaranteed a play-off but a top eight finish is essentially out of reach, while Basel need a win to stand any chance of progress. Basel claimed a morale boosting 4-3 win domestically over the weekend and can grind out the result they need here, even if that isn’t enough to finish in the top 24.

Both teams have scored in four of Midtjylland’s last five games and in four of their seven league phase games. Dinamo can’t break into the top eight and dropping out of the top 24 looks unlikely, but they rarely draw a blank on their travels and have scored in 13 of their 15 road games this season across all comps.

Suns are still without Devin Booker, that’s a massive handicap ahead of a game against the best team in the East. When Booker doesn’t play they’re just 2-4 SU in 6 games, with their offensive numbers falling off dramatically. Detroit has won 6 of 7 and is looking like the team to beat in the East right now. Back them to cover here.

FEBRUARY –  The Texans’ suffocating defence has been the key to their eight-game winning run and with the AFC looking the less competitive conference this season after the demise of the Kansas City Chiefs, they have the talent to go a long way. Quarterback CJ Stroud is fully fit again and can look for an elite wide receiver in Nico Collins while former first-round picks Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley Jr. are just two of their many defensive stars.

JULY – Elena Rybakina looks a bet in her bid to repeat her 2022 triumph at the All England Club. The Kazakhstani has had a tough couple of years, due in the main to off-court issues, but she finished last year on a high with victory at the WTA Finals. She’s a superb grass-court player who is as good as Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek when she’s on her game.

JULY – Alex Noren enjoyed a resurgence in his career in 2025, winning twice on the DP World Tour, and 2026 could finally be the year he ends his long wait for a maiden Major. The Swede has an affinity for links golf, evidenced by his victory at the 2016 Scottish Open and his two top-10 Open finishes, he could go all the way and land the Claret Jug in 2026.

DECEMBER – Mercedes may have botched the ground-effect era, but the Silver Arrows have a strong record of responding well to rule changes, and the sweeping regulation shift coming in 2026 should bring the title back into play. Their power unit has already come under, and been cleared, of scrutiny, suggesting it is likely to be among the strongest engines on the grid, and they have the driver lineup to win the consistent points necessary to land the constructor crown.

Aryna Sabalanka has reached each of the last six Grand Slam finals played on hardcourts and has won four of those. The Belarusian has won two of the last three editions of the Australian Open and can respond to the disappointment of losing last year’s final by taking the trophy in 2026.

Both teams have scored in six of Ferencvaros’s seven Europa League games this term, and 10 of their 13 European ties this term have seen BTTS. Forest average over 2.0 xG per game in Europe, but they’ve faced 4.66 xG in the three games since their 3-3 draw with Wrexham.

Real Betis need a win to secure a top-eight finish in the league phase and they have won their last three home matches. Feyenoord are also in need of a result, but they have lost all three Europa League away matches and have only won one of their last six trips in all competitions. 

Ferencvaros are unbeaten in the Europa League and are unbeaten in their last 24 competitive away games stretching back into last season. The visitors are looking to lock in a top eight spot, while Forest seem destined for the play-offs and will probably have one eye on a crucial league game at the weekend so the visitors should at least be able to take a point.

Ferencvaros are unbeaten in the Europa League and are unbeaten in their last 24 competitive away games stretching back into last season. The visitors are looking to lock in a top eight spot, while Forest seem destined for the play-offs and will probably have one eye on a crucial league game at the weekend so the visitors should at least be able to take a point.

Crvena Zvezda have the better chance of breaking into the top eight with a win and they can make the most of home advantage to overcome Celta. Red Star have seven wins and just one defeat in their last 10 at home and have beaten both Lille and FCSB at this venue in the Europa League, while Celta have two defeats in three trips in this competition.

Ludogorets sit just a point outside the top 24 in the Europa League league phase and have everything to play for. They have scored three goals in their last two home games in this competition, while Nice are already eliminated and have lost all three of their away games in the competition.

Real Betis need a win to secure a top-eight finish in the league phase and they have won their last three home matches. Feyenoord are also in need of a result, but they have lost all three Europa League away matches and have only won one of their last six trips in all competitions.

Ferencvaros are unbeaten in the Europa League and are unbeaten in their last 24 competitive away games stretching back into last season. The visitors are looking to lock in a top eight spot, while Forest seem destined for the play-offs and will probably have one eye on a crucial league game at the weekend so the visitors should at least be able to take a point.

Lille are on a five-match losing streak and need a result to guarantee their continuation in the Europa League. However, Freiburg are third in the standings and have only lost one of their last eight. They may not have the need for a result like their hosts, but they should put in a good showing to upset the odds.

Both teams have scored in six of Ferencvaros’s seven Europa League games this term, and 10 of their 13 European ties this term have seen BTTS. Forest average over 2.0 xG per game in Europe, but they’ve faced 4.66 xG in the three games since their 3-3 draw with Wrexham.

Feyenoord have scored in 12 of their last 13 games and have just one clean sheet themselves during that run. Real Betis need a win to secure a top-eight finish in the league phase and they have won their last three home matches so they should be able to get on the scoresheet.

Both teams have scored in four of Midtjylland’s last five games and in four of their seven league phase games. Dinamo can’t break into the top eight and dropping out of the top 24 looks unlikely, but they rarely draw a blank on their travels and have scored in 13 of their 15 road games this season across all comps.

A point would probably be enough for Braga to finish in the top eight and GA Eagles need all three to stand any chance of progress. The visitors have seen goals at both ends in four of their last five trips, while both teams have scored in nine of GAE’s last 10 games. With both sides in need of points, goals at both ends looks likely.

Salzburg have lost all three of their Europa League away games at Lyon, Bologna and Freiburg and another defeat may follow at Aston Villa, who had reeled off 11 straight home wins before losing to Everton most recently. That said, the Austrians pack a punch in the final third and Villa, having already secured a top-eight finish, are expected to make some changes.

Real Betis need a win to secure a top-eight finish in the league phase and they have won their last three home matches. Feyenoord are also in need of a result, but they have lost all three Europa League away matches and have only won one of their last six trips in all competitions. Feyenoord have scored in 12 of their last 13 games and can at least strike in defeat.

Brann know a win would guarantee a play-off place and they should be able to get the three points they need at already eliminated Sturm Graz. The visitors have gone six games without a clean sheet, however, and Sturm Graz have scored in nine of their last 12 home games so Brann may concede in victory in Austria.

Lille are on a five-match losing streak and need a result to guarantee their continuation in the Europa League. However, Freiburg are third in the standings and have only lost one of their last eight. They may not have the need for a result like their hosts, but they have enough quality and the form to win regardless. Les Dogues have scored in nine of their last 10 home games and in six of their seven league phase outings so they should be able to get on the scoresheet.

Salzburg have lost all three of their Europa League away games at Lyon, Bologna and Freiburg and another defeat may follow at Aston Villa, who had reeled off 11 straight home wins before losing to Everton most recently. That said, the Austrians pack a punch in the final third and Villa, having already secured a top-eight finish, are expected to make some changes. That could lead to an open game with both teams contributing so over 2.5 goals appeals.

Ludogorets have scored three goals in their last two Europa League home games but are yet to keep a clean sheet in the competition, while Nice have scored in defeat in two of their three away games in the Europa League. These sides should be able to combine for least four goals.

Stuttgart need a win and potentially by a big margin if they are to break into the top eight, while Young Boys are clinging on to a play-off spot. VfB have scored at least three goals in five of their last eight games and are facing a Young Boys side who have shipped at least three in four of their last five games. An early home goal would open this fixture up and Stuttgart have the tools to take advantage, they can grab at least three goals here.

Porto have only lost once at home all season and they have kept nine clean sheets in front of their own fans. Rangers have struggled to score in Europe, netting only four goals and it is tough to see Danny Rohl’s team troubling the scoresheet.

Utrecht have lost their last five matches and they suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to Genk in the Europa League last week before limping to a 1-0 loss to Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday. The visitors have been beaten on European trips to Betis, Brann and Freiburg and Celtic look rejuvenated.

Crvena Zvezda have the better chance of breaking into the top eight with a win and they can make the most of home advantage to overcome Celta. Red Star have seven wins and just one defeat in their last 10 at home and have beaten both Lille and FCSB at this venue in the Europa League, while Celta have two defeats in three trips in this competition. Red Star have conceded just one goal across their last five home fixtures.

Petar Stanic has excelled in this competition for Ludogorets and he leads the scoring charts with six goals and two assists. He’s scored four goals across their last two European home games and can add to his account against Nice as the Bulgarian side bid to break into the top 24.

Igor Jesus has scored four goals in five appearances in the Europa League, while the forward has netted in two of his last three matches.

Basel need a hero as they bid to avoid an early exit and veteran Xherdan Shaqiri can play his part by getting on the scoresheet. The former Bayern forward has three goals in the Europa League this season and scored a hat-trick in his side’s 4-3 win over Zurich at the weekend.

Ludogorets sit just a point outside the top 24 in the Europa League league phase and have everything to play for. They have scored three goals in their last two home games in this competition, while Nice are already eliminated and have lost all three of their away games in the competition. Ludogorets have scored three goals in their last two Europa League home games but are yet to keep a clean sheet in the competition, while Nice have scored in defeat in two of their three away games in the Europa League so a 3-1 home win has a chance.

Crvena Zvezda have the better chance of breaking into the top eight with a win and they can make the most of home advantage to overcome Celta. Red Star have seven wins and just one defeat in their last 10 at home and have beaten both Lille and FCSB at this venue in the Europa League, while Celta have two defeats in three trips in this competition. Red Star’s last two home European wins have come via 1-0 scorelines and they can make it a hat-trick against Celta. The Serbian club have conceded just one goal across their last five home fixtures, and can grind out a win on Thursday.

Mirassol finished 22 points above Vasco last term and navigated the entire campaign unbeaten at home in the league. They should be able to open the new season with three points on Thursday.

Both teams have scored in each of the last two meetings between these sides and goals at both ends looks likely here, as Lanus have seen both teams score in five of their last six domestic games and they have conceded in all of those.

Fogo had the better warm-up run for the start of the new Serie A season with four wins in their last five games, while Cruzeiro come into this contest after back-to-back losses. Fogo won 11 of their 19 home games last season, losing just three, and they can make home advantage count here.

Mirassol finished 22 points above Vasco last term and navigated the entire campaign unbeaten at home in the league. They should be able to open the new season with three points on Thursday.

Melbourne City got hammered 6-2 at Macarthur last time out but can respond at Wellington. The Phoenix also suffered a heavy loss last time out as they went down 4-1 at Newcastle and they have three defeats in their last six at home. Wellington have only failed to score in one home game this season, so back MCFC to win and concede.

Adelaide have the best home record in the division with 15 points from seven games and they can make the most of home advantage against Macarthur. The visitors have won just one of their last four and were held to a 1-1 draw by bottom club Central Coast last time out, but they should at least be able to strike on defeat having scored in six of their last seven A-League games.

Adelaide have the best home record in the division with 15 points from seven games and they can make the most of home advantage against Macarthur. The visitors have won just one of their last four and were held to a 1-1 draw by bottom club Central Coast last time out, but they should at least be able to strike on defeat having scored in six of their last seven A-League games.

Liverpool look like the best value pick, with the Reds putting their struggles behind them with an eight-game unbeaten run. The Reds have the fourth-best Expected Goals record across the first six Champions League gameweeks, while they’ve recorded back-to-back 1-0 wins over Real Madrid and Inter Milan in Europe. Arne Slot’s side have a kind double-header in January, leaving them primed for a top-eight finish. With the Premier League coasting towards a fifth Champions League berth, the Reds should be in a good position to focus on European success in the spring.

Spain have some incredibly talented individuals, Lamine Yamal being the prime example, but are strong in all areas and don’t have any particular weaknesses. They won Euro 2024 with relative ease and they should be too good for their continental rivals at the World Cup. They also look a level above South American heavyweights Argentina and Brazil, suggesting they will be the team to beat at the World Cup this summer.

Blackpool have scored in their last nine League One games, while they’ve netted 23 goals across their 14 games at Bloomfield Road. However, only two sides in the third tier have conceded more goals than Blackpool’s 39. Opponents Stockport have found the net in 10 of their 13 away games this term, but all of the visitors’ away clean sheets have come against teams in the relegation zone.

Barcelona haven’t kept a clean sheet in their seven Champions League games this term. The Catalans have conceded at home to Olympiakos and Eintracht Frankfurt, and they host a Copenhagen side who are pushing to make the top 24 after winning 3-2 against Villarreal last time out. 

Feyenoord have conceded 13 times across their seven League Phase games, while they were beaten 4-3 at FCSB in their last European trip. Betis have scored twice in all three of their home games in the Europa League this term, but the visitors need a win to avoid elimination. 

BTTS has landed in 10 of 14 Genoa games since Patrick Viera was sacked, and they head to a Lazio side who have scored 13 times in their six home clashes with sides below them.

Wolves have conceded the second-highest number of goals at home, while Bournemouth have shipped the most goals away. BTTS has landed in the visitors’ last eight games, while Wolves can threaten after an upturn in performances under Rob Edwards.

Rangers return from a visit to Portugal aiming to continue some free-scoring form in the Premiership, but they visits a Hibs side that averages two goals per game at home.