Atalanta ended a losing run by beating Venezia 3-1 on Monday and their home form has been solid with three wins in four Serie A games. Pafos failed to win any of their three away qualifiers over the summer (D1, L2) and could find themselves outclassed, so the hosts can cover a -1 handicap.

Brighton have scored 25 goals in their last eight games and should have little issue getting the better of Lithuanian champions Kauno Zaligiris. The visitors lost their away qualifiers to Dinamo Zagreb and Besiktas by an aggregate score of 8-0 and the Seagulls can score at least four goals.

Juventus made the perfect start to their Europa League campaign with a 5-0 win and have also won three of their last five away matches. Their greater quality can help them edge this contest.

This should be a close game but home advantage could prove the difference. Copenhagen have a perfect home record with seven wins in as many games across all comps, while Braga have just one win in their last five away. Copenhagen have kept consecutive clean sheets at home and can see off Braga without conceding. 

Besiktas hammered Marseille 4-1 in their Europa League opener and can follow that up by beating out of sorts Hoffenheim, who have five losses in their last six games. The hosts have scored in eight straight home games stretching back into last season and can at least deny the visitors a clean sheet.

Over 3.5 goals has landed in four of Bournemouth’s last six games and only Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea have managed to limit the Cherries to fewer than two goals this season. There is a gulf in class between these two sides and Bournemouth can score heavily, but Sturm Graz can add to the overall total as the Premier League outfit have conceded in seven of their eight games across all competitions this season.

Charlotte have hit some form on the road and they can claim at least a point against a Columbus side who seem destined to miss out on the postseason. The Crew have seven defeats in their last 10 MLS games, while Charlotte have four wins and just one defeat in their last seven away.

St Louis can move ahead of Vancouver into top spot in the West with a win and with home advantage this is an opportunity they can take. City are on a five-game winning run and are unbeaten in 20 across all comps, while the Whitecaps have won just one of their last six and have lost three of those games.

Both of these attacks are in form and the best angle here could be focusing on over 2.5 goals. There have been at least three goals scored in nine of Dallas’ last 11 games and in four of Seattle’s last five.

Philly are flying as they are unbeaten in 13 in MLS and have won their last seven. They can make it eight in a row at Chicago, who have won just one of their last three home games.

Charlotte have hit some form on the road and they can claim maximum points against a Columbus side who seem destined to miss out on the postseason. The Crew have seven defeats in their last 10 MLS games, while Charlotte have four wins and just one defeat in their last seven away.

Toronto are unbeaten in six at home and have won their last two. The Reds can overcome an Orlando side who are on a three-game losing streak on the road.

Both of these attacks are in form and the best angle here could be focusing on over 3.5 goals. There have been at least four goals scored in five of Dallas’ last nine games and in two of Seattle’s last five.

Philly are flying as they are unbeaten in 13 in MLS and have won their last seven. They can make it eight in a row at Chicago, who have won just one of their last three home games, but a Union clean sheet looks less likely. The Fire have scored in 17 straight home games across all competitions.

St Louis can move ahead of Vancouver into top spot in the West with a win and with home advantage this is an opportunity they can take. City are on a five-game winning run and are unbeaten in 20 across all comps, while the Whitecaps have won just one of their last six and have lost three of those games.

Leverkusen got their Europa League campaign off to a perfect start, beating Slovenian side Ceije 2-0, while Lech lost 4-0 to Palace. The german side are likely going to prove too strong for Lech, and can come away with all three points here.

AC Milan’s sole loss this season came in the opening game week of the Europa League to Benfica but are unbeaten in Serie A so far. This won’t be an easy game away from home, but Salzburg are weaker than some of the teams they have faced so far this season, and posses the quality to grind out a win.

Crevena Zvezda lost as the designated away side against Hapoel Be’er Sheva and at Plzen during qualifying over the summer. Lugano lead the way in the Swiss league and have six wins and no defeats in their last seven games, the hosts look capable of picking up a win here.

Hajduk have waited 15 years for a place in the main draw of a European competition and they can mark the occasion with at least a point against heavyweights Ajax. The visitors may rotate for this competition and they’ve failed to win three of their last five games, while Hajduk are unbeaten in 11 at home and they can extend that streak.

Outside of Brobbey, Le Fee is the only Sunderland player to score more than once this term. The midfielder should be on penalty duty against a second-tier side, and he’s recorded a team-high 15 shots so far this term.

Rayan hasn’t scored in the Premier League this season but he did hit what proved to be the winner at the Anoeta. The Brazilian forward can make an impact in Europa again this week with an anytime strike.

The only time Sunderland have scored more than once this season was last month’s 5-3 loss at Man City. Torreense have managed to punch above their weight this year, winning the Portuguese Cup and losing August’s Super Cup clash with Porto 1-0. The hosts will look to frustrate the Premier League outfit and that should result in a fairly low scoring game.

Crystal Palace have been involved in a number of high-scoring games this season, with six of their last seven outings going over 2.5 goals. A repeat of that looks likely in a game in which both teams are fancied to score in Lyon.

Over 3.5 goals has landed in four of Bournemouth’s last six games and only Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea have managed to limit the Cherries to fewer than two goals this season. There is a gulf in class between these two sides and Bournemouth can score heavily, but Sturm Graz can add to the overall total as the Premier League outfit have conceded in seven of their eight games across all competitions this season.

Benfica have scored at least twice in 12 of their 15 games this season and both teams have scored in five of their seven Europa League ties this term. Celtic’s three European games this season have generated 13 goals so these teams should be able to combine for at least four goals.

La Dea have three clean sheets in four home games this season and Pafos have scored just once in three European trips so a clean sheet for Atalanta seems likely, and they have enough attacking talent to score fairly heavily so a 3-0 home win has a chance here.

Bournemouth can justify their heavy favouritism with a convincing win but they may concede in the process. Sturm Graz have shipped three goals on two occasions this season against sides who don’t posses the same level of attacking talent as the Cherries, so a 4-1 home win has a chance.

Hearts have hit some form with five wins in their last seven games and they’ve been strong at home all season. The Edinburgh club held Benfica to a 1-1 draw at this venue during the summer qualifiers and can pull off an upset against Nordsjaelland, who have two defeats in their last four trips.

Besiktas hammered Marseille 4-1 in their Europa League opener and can follow that up by beating out of sorts Hoffenheim, who have five losses in their last six games.

Hearts have hit some form with five wins in their last seven games and they’ve been strong at home all season. The Edinburgh club held Benfica to a 1-1 draw at this venue during the summer qualifiers and can pull off an upset against Nordsjaelland, who have two defeats in their last four trips, but the visitors should be able to get on the scoresheet. The Danish side have scored in seven of their last eight away games.

Besiktas hammered Marseille 4-1 in their Europa League opener and can follow that up by beating out of sorts Hoffenheim, who have five losses in their last six games. The hosts have scored in eight straight home games stretching back into last season and can at least deny the visitors a clean sheet.

Jagiellonia are the heavy favourites and they should be able to see off  their Armenian opponents but they may concede in the process. Ararat-Armenia have scored in 1o successive games, including a Europa League loss to Sparta Prague, and Jagiellonia have gone eight games without a clean sheet.

Dinamo Zagreb have scored in 16 of their 17 games this season across all competitions, while Anderlecht have scored in all seven of their European games this season including qualifiers. With both attacks in form, we should see goals at both ends.

Marseille remain dangerous going forward but vulnerable at the back, while Olympiakos arrive in good scoring form. With both defences offering opportunities, each side should find the net.

Jagiellonia are the heavy favourites but they have gone eight games without a clean sheet. Ararat-Armenia have scored in 1o successive games, including a Europa League loss to Sparta Prague, and can at least get on the scoresheet. A Jagiellonia goal is expected as they have scored eight goals across their last four home fixtures.

Ferencvaros won 3-1 at Celtic in their Europa League opener and can follow up that impressive result by seeing off Plzen, who have lost three of their last four games. The Hungarian outfit are on a 14-game unbeaten run across all competitions and were unlucky not to beat Plzen when these sides drew in the league phase last season, despite playing with 10 men for the entire second half.

Marseille remain dangerous going forward but vulnerable at the back, while Olympiakos arrive in good scoring form. With both defences offering opportunities, each side should find the net.

Oxford are the slight underdogs for this solitary Thursday League One clash and they look good value to win at Mansfield. The visitors have 10 points from their last four games, while the Stags have three defeats in their last six games across all competitions.

This should be a close game but home advantage could prove the difference. Copenhagen have a perfect home record with seven wins in as many games across all comps, while Braga have just one win in their last five away. Take the Danish side to kick off their Conference League bid with a win.

Ferencvaros won 3-1 at Celtic in their Europa League opener and can follow up that impressive result by seeing off Plzen, who have lost three of their last four games. The Hungarian outfit are on a 14-game unbeaten run across all competitions and were unlucky not to beat Plzen when these sides drew in the league phase last season, despite playing with 10 men for the entire second half.

Monaco have spent the last couple of seasons in the Champions League, losing 5-4 on aggregate to PSG in last season’s knockouts.

They’ve appointed former Flamengo boss Filipe Luiz as their new manager, and the former Chelsea defender has an impressive track record. He led the Brazilian side to their domestic title, and brought continental success in the Copa Libertadores.

Strasbourg reached the last four of the Conference League last term, and this Monaco side are capable of going even further under a highly-rated young manager.

Read our full Conference League outright preview

City aren’t quite right yet under Enzo Maresca. They may well come good but Lens away was arguably the worst road trip from Pot 4 while Napoli and Leipzig represent stern tests from Pot 3. And then there’s PSG and Barcelona. Altogether a tough test.

The home game against Bodo/Glimt and trip to Slavia ought to be the bedrock of a campaign in which Dino Toppmoller’s impressive group – who have already beaten PSG in the French Champions Trophy – can emerge successfully.

Barcelona could easily lose in Paris, legitimately drop points at Galatasaray and at home to Man City. One more slip and the top eight could feasibly elude them.

Arsenal were flawless 12 months ago and should have no difficulty getting to the 16 points which are probably required.

BVB came close to the top eight last season and have a great draw this year with Betis, AEK Athens, Sabah and even Inter Milan at home looks winnable.

PSV’s hammerings of Napoli and Liverpool last term were rare highs in an otherwise disappointing campaign. This season’s draw looks far kindlier for Peter Bosz and his Eredivisie big-hitters.