Brighton should be far too strong for Norway’s Tromso even if this is their season opener. Tromso lost to Czech opposition in Europa League qualifying and the Premier League visitors look to have enough quality to cover a -1 handicap.

Rangers picked up their first win under Derek McInnes at the weekend and they can use that momentum to seize the advantage against Jablonec. A win feels vital for the Gers if they are to reach the main draw due to their poor road record in Europe and they should have the quality to beat the Czech visitors, but they may concede in the process. Jablonec are yet to draw a blank this season and Rangers haven’t kept a clean sheet.

Sheffield Wednesday have two wins in as many games this season and home advantage could be the difference when they face probable promotion rivals Bradford. The Bantams are yet to play away this season, but lost 10 of their 23 road games last term. There is a feel-good factor around Hillsborough after their summer takeover and they’ve beaten a Championship team in the EFL Cup at home in August, they can continue their perfect start by beating Bradford.

Since dropping out of the Champions League, Lech have hit form and have put together a four-game winning streak. Thun lost in Iceland in the previous qualifying round and have six defeats in their last 10 competitive away games.

Maccabi Tel Aviv have scored in 11 consecutive competitive away games and can get on the scoresheet, but may fall short against their in-form hosts in the first leg. Lugano, who have conceded in five of their eight fixtures, have been almost perfect with seven wins and a draw in all competitions this season.

Austin beat Seattle in Texas in July and can claim at least a point in this reverse fixture. The Sounders are in woeful form with nine defeats in their last 10 games, while Austin have won three of their last six and should take some confidence from coming through the first round of the Leagues Cup unbeaten.

Nashville lead the way in the Eastern Conference and they returned to MLS action with a 4-1 win over key rivals Inter Miami after their Leagues Cup exit. The Coyotes can add to NYRB’s struggles, as the hosts have three defeats in their last four games and have three defeats in their last six at home.

Charlotte have hit some form with six wins in their last nine games and they look backable underdogs ahead of their trip to Canada. Toronto snapped a 13-game winless run with a 2-1 win over New England Revolution in their last home game but they were incredibly lucky to avoid defeat as they lost the shot count 24-3 and this Charlotte side who are looking to secure a top seven spot look capable of coming away with the points.

Atlanta have six defeats and just one win in their last nine games overall and their road form has been poor all season, with seven losses and just one win in 10 MLS trips. Minnesota are clinging on to a postseason spot and can boost their playoff hopes with three points, having lost just two of their nine home MLS games so far.

Colorado Rapids are on a three-game winning run at their Dick’s Sporting Goods Park home and they can make it four in a row against LAFC. The visitors lost at home to San Diego last time out and have a poor record in this fixture, with five defeats and no wins in their last seven trips to the Rapids across all comps.

Cincinnati have won six of their nine home MLS games and are in good form in general with just one defeat in their last six league games. Cincy look well placed to overcome an NYCFC outfit who are on a three-game losing streak across all competitions.

Nashville lead the way in the Eastern Conference and they returned to MLS action with a 4-1 win over key rivals Inter Miami after their Leagues Cup exit. The Coyotes can add to NYRB’s struggles, as the hosts have three defeats in their last four games and have three defeats in their last six at home.

Inter Miami are on a 19-game scoring streak and they’ve conceded in six of those games. They face a Union side who have seen both teams score in seven of their last eight MLS games, so goals at both ends is expected.

Atlanta have six defeats and just one win in their last nine games overall and their road form has been poor all season, with seven losses and just one win in 10 MLS trips. Minnesota are clinging on to a postseason spot and can boost their playoff hopes with three points, having lost just two of their nine home MLS games so far.

Cincinnati have won six of their nine home MLS games and are in good form in general with just one defeat in their last six league games. Cincy look well placed to overcome an NYCFC outfit who are on a three-game losing streak across all competitions.

Austin beat Seattle in Texas in July and they can pull off an upset by claiming a win at Lumen Field. The Sounders are in woeful form with nine defeats in their last 10 games, while Austin have won three of their last six and should take some confidence from coming through the first round of the Leagues Cup unbeaten.

Charlotte have hit some form with six wins in their last nine games and they look backable underdogs ahead of their trip to Canada. Toronto snapped a 13-game winless run with a 2-1 win over New England Revolution in their last home game but they were incredibly lucky to avoid defeat as they lost the shot count 24-3 and this Charlotte side who are looking to secure a top seven spot look capable of coming away with the points.

Red Star failed to qualify for the Champions League but still have a route into Europe here. They’ve won four out of their last five home games, and should be too good for Plzen.

Ajax have seen the net bulge 24 times in their opening six games of the season and the Dutch masters lack the defensive solidity to stop Sion from finding the net. The Swiss side are a big price in this spot, but they hold stronger claims than the market indicates and can at least avoid defeat in the first leg.

Both teams arrive in excellent form with Hearts scoring eleven in their last three home games, while SK Rapid have won their last five away, with both teams scoring in four of them. This should be an exciting game with both teams finding a goal.

Benfica have been making light work of these qualifiers, winning 7-2 and 6-3 on aggregate in their previous two rounds. Aarhus aren’t any better than their two previous sides they have faced, Benfica can make easy work of this scoring at least three here, as they have done in three of their last four home games.

Maurizio Sarri’s teams are typically defensively secure, and Hapoel’s away form suggests they may struggle to break through. Atalanta have won their last two pre-season games to nil while Hapoel have failed to score in three of their four previous matches against Italian clubs.

Both teams arrive in excellent form with Hearts scoring eleven in their last three home games, while SK Rapid have won their last five away, with both teams scoring in four of them. This should be an exciting game with both teams finding a goal.

St Truiden have seen goals at both ends in both of their games so far this season. Omonia have conceded in both of their European trips and have scored in three of their four qualifying matches so far, so goals at both ends looks likely.

Qarabag come into the game after finding some form after edging out Dynamo Kyiv in the previous round and then winning their domestic opener. The visitors can get on the scoresheet against a Twente side who have shipped five goals in their last three games. The hosts have scored nine goals in two home games this season and should be expected to score at least once against their Azerbaijani opponents.

Hajduk have scored in five of their six summer qualifiers and have conceded eight goals themselves in that period. The Croatian side have seen goals at both ends in four of their last five games. Rakow have scored in six of their seven games this season and have scored in both of their away qualifiers.

Both of these sides have made perfect starts to the new season with two wins in as many games. Something has to give in South Yorkshire, but both sides look capable of scoring. Wednesday have scored three goals in two games and Bradford have managed four, so goals at both ends could be on the cards.

There have been 24 goals in Ajax’s opening six games of the season and they have conceded four times in their last two matches. Sion have hit the net 20 times in their last six games and have conceded in their last four. With both attacks looking capable and both defences vulnerable, goals at both ends could be on the cards.

Maurizio Sarri’s teams are typically defensively secure, and Hapoel’s away form suggests they may struggle to break through. Atalanta have won their last two pre-season games to nil while Hapoel have failed to score in three of their four previous matches against Italian clubs.

Gent have won two of their last four games without conceding, keeping four clean sheets in their six matches this season. Meanwhile, Hibs have struggled to score in their last two games as fatigue sets in after regular two-game weeks.

Motherwell have lost both of their previous European matches against German opposition and, while Freiburg have not played competitively yet this term, they have won their last three friendlies without conceding. The 2026 Europa League finalists have the edge in terms of quality and experience and can win to nil.

Sheffield Wednesday have two wins in as many games this season and home advantage could be the difference when they face probable promotion rivals Bradford. The Bantams are yet to play away this season, but lost 10 of their 23 road games last term. There is a feel-good factor around Hillsborough after their summer takeover and they’ve beaten a Championship team in the EFL Cup at home in August, they can continue their perfect start by beating Bradford. The Owls may concede in victory as Bradford’s attack has looked sharp with four goals in two games. These sides look fairly evenly matched but Wednesday can grind out a win with home advantage and a 2-1 success for the hosts has a chance.

Rangers picked up their first win under Derek McInnes at the weekend and they can use that momentum to seize the advantage against Jablonec. A win feels vital for the Gers if they are to reach the main draw due to their poor road record in Europe and they should have the quality to beat the Czech visitors, but they may concede in the process. Jablonec are yet to draw a blank this season and Rangers haven’t kept a clean sheet. Rangers were unlucky to only draw 1-1 at Ibrox in Europa League qualifying with Jagiellonia as they created enough chances to win and a similar level of performance should see them run out fairly comfortable winners against Jablonec, so a 3-1 home win is the pick. 

Rangers picked up their first win under Derek McInnes at the weekend and they can use that momentum to seize the advantage against Jablonec. A win feels vital for the Gers if they are to reach the main draw due to their poor road record in Europe and they should have the quality to beat the Czech visitors, but they may concede in the process. Jablonec are yet to draw a blank this season and Rangers haven’t kept a clean sheet.

Shamrock have an excellent home record, winning six of their last seven. They should come away with a win here, but look likely to concede in the process. Rovers haven’t managed a clean sheet in Europe this summer and KuPS are on a five-game scoring streak.

Sheffield Wednesday have two wins in as many games this season and home advantage could be the difference when they face probable promotion rivals Bradford. The Bantams are yet to play away this season, but lost 10 of their 23 road games last term. There is a feel-good factor around Hillsborough after their summer takeover and they’ve beaten a Championship team in the EFL Cup at home in August, they can continue their perfect start by beating Bradford.

Jamal Lowe has two goals in as many games and will be on spot kick duties on Thursday. The Wednesday forward looks the standout candidate for an anytime goal against Bradford.

Benfica have been making light work of these qualifiers, winning 7-2 and 6-3 on aggregate in their previous two rounds. Aarhus aren’t any better than their two previous sides they have faced, Benfica can make easy work of this scoring at least three here, as they have done in three of their last four home games.

Over 2.5 goals has landed in four of Shamrock’s last five games and all of their last five home games. Both teams have scored in four of KuPS’s last five, so both teams can contribute and combine for at least three goals.

Barcelona have won back-to-back La Liga titles and netted 95 times last season, and the return of Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid is unlikely to stop the Catalans from clinching a third successive title.

Mourinho has not won a league title since 2015 and there is almost certain to be friction among the big egos at the Bernabeu, especially with the Special One at the helm.

Arsenal landed a long-awaited Premier League title last season and have improved with the additions of Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis over the summer.

The main reason for their favouritism, however, is what is going on at their rivals.

Manchester City begin life without Pep Guardiola and both Chelsea and Liverpool have new managers to bed in, while Manchester United are still relatively unproven under Michael Carrick.

The Scudetto has not been successfully defended since 2020, but Inter can break that streak despite an upheaval at the back.

John Stones and Manuel Akanji arrive to compensate for the losses of Denzel Dumfries, Stefan de Vrij and Stefan de Vrij and, while the Nerazzurri may look weaker overall, many of their rivals have also taken a step backwards.

Napoli have an ageing squad and will have to do without Antonio Conte, while AC Milan have given Ruben Amorim a chance in the dugout and Juventus are still playing catch-up after a terrible period of recruitment.

Like Bayern Munich, PSG look almost untouchable at the top of Ligue 1 and, while Lens were last season’s surprise package, a host of departures bring the other Ligue 1 teams into play.

While other teams have suffered summer losses, sixth-place finishers Rennes have taken strides forward after cashing in on Jeremy Jacquet and boast last season’s top scorer in Esteban Lepaul.

It is hard to see anybody topping a rampant Bayern Munich, but Borussia Dortmund are the best chance of challenging the Bavarians after finishing second last season.

They have kept the majority of their squad together and added a host of exciting youngsters to their books, while last season’s third-place finishers, RB Leipzig, have lost Yan Diomande.

Bayer Leverkusen are unproven after the appointment of their third manager in the past year, while Stuttgart are unlikely to be able to bridge last season’s 11-point gap to Dortmund.

There is a clear gulf in class as regular title challengers Atletico Madrid host a Malaga side who haven’t managed to significantly strengthen their team following promotion. Atleti won 15 of their 19 home league games last season and shipped just 17 goals in that period, the hosts can win without conceding.

LASK haven’t won a European away game since 2021 and have lost eight of their nine trips in that period. Celtic beat Utrecht and Sturm Graz at home in last season’s Europa League tie and have won all three matches this season. LASK have failed to score in four of their last five European away games so Celtic can keep a clean sheet and claim a win.

Sabah have won six of the seven games they’ve played this term, including five victories in the Champions League qualifiers. They head to Romania for this tie, having won 3-0 at Maccabi Haifa in 2024. Hapoel are yet to draw a blank in Europe this summer and they can strike in defeat.

Slovan Bratislava have scored in 14 of their last 16 home matches in Europe, while Celje have netted at least twice in 10 of their last 14 away trips in continental football. The visitors have conceded 15 goals across eight matches in Europe in 2026, but they’ve scored in seven of those ties.

LASK haven’t won a European away game since 2021 and have lost eight of their nine trips in that period. Celtic beat Utrecht and Sturm Graz at home in last season’s Europa League tie and have won all three matches this season. LASK have failed to score in four of their last five European away games so Celtic can keep a clean sheet and claim a win.

Bodo Glimt saw over 2.5 goals in all but one of their 14 Champions League games last season, while they beat USG 6-5 on aggregate in the last round. NEC’s Eredivisie matches last term averaged 3.82 goals per game, while they won 4-1 at the weekend.

There is a clear gulf in class as regular title challengers Atletico Madrid host a Malaga side who haven’t managed to significantly strengthen their team following promotion. Atleti won 15 of their 19 home league games last season and shipped just 17 goals in that period, the hosts can win without conceding.

Sabah have won six of the seven games they’ve played this term, including five victories in the Champions League qualifiers. They head to Romania for this tie, having won 3-0 at Maccabi Haifa in 2024.

Slovan Bratislava have scored in 14 of their last 16 home matches in Europe, while Celje have netted at least twice in 10 of their last 14 away trips in continental football. The visitors have conceded 15 goals across eight matches in Europe in 2026, but they’ve scored in seven of those ties.

LASK haven’t won a European away game since 2021 and have lost eight of their nine trips in that period. Celtic beat Utrecht and Sturm Graz at home in last season’s Europa League tie and have won all three matches this season.

Bodo Glimt saw over 2.5 goals in all but one of their 14 Champions League games last season, while they beat USG 6-5 on aggregate in the last round. NEC’s Eredivisie matches last term averaged 3.82 goals per game, while they won 4-1 at the weekend.

Sabah have won six of the seven games they’ve played this term, including five victories in the Champions League qualifiers. They head to Romania for this tie, having won 3-0 at Maccabi Haifa in 2024. Hapoel are yet to draw a blank in Europe this summer and they can strike in defeat. 

Slovan Bratislava have scored in 14 of their last 16 home matches in Europe, while Celje have netted at least twice in 10 of their last 14 away trips in continental football. The visitors have conceded 15 goals across eight matches in Europe in 2026, but they’ve scored in seven of those ties.

The visitors scored twice away to TNS and KuPS in Europe this term, while they created more chances than AGF in their 2-1 defeat in Denmark. Hapoel are yet to draw a blank in Europe this summer so both of these teams are capable of getting on the scoresheet.

Celje have scored at least twice in six of their last eight European matches, and they’ve done the same in 10 of their last 14 away trips. Slovan Bratislava have struck exactly two goals in three of their four qualifiers this summer, so back a 2-2 draw.

Bodo Glimt saw over 2.5 goals in all but one of their 14 Champions League games last season, while they beat USG 6-5 on aggregate in the last round. NEC’s Eredivisie matches last term averaged 3.82 goals per game, while they won 4-1 at the weekend. Bodo have scored at least twice in five of their last seven away games in Europe, while they drew 3-3 in Belgium against USG earlier this month. NEC scored four times in their weekend win, and they have the attacking threat to match Bodo, so the pair could go back and forth in a thriller.

Celje have scored at least twice in six of their last eight European matches, and they’ve done the same in 10 of their last 14 away trips. Slovan Bratislava have struck exactly two goals in three of their four qualifiers this summer, so these teams can combine for at least four goals.

Bodo Glimt saw over 2.5 goals in all but one of their 14 Champions League games last season, while they beat USG 6-5 on aggregate in the last round. NEC’s Eredivisie matches last term averaged 3.82 goals per game, while they won 4-1 at the weekend.

Ademola Lookman ended last season with two goals in three games for Atleti and has a couple of goals during pre-season. In Julian Alvarez’s likely absence, Lookman looks a good contender for an anytime effort.

There is a clear gulf in class as regular title challengers Atletico Madrid host a Malaga side who haven’t managed to significantly strengthen their team following promotion. Atleti won 15 of their 19 home league games last season and shipped just 17 goals in that period, the hosts can win without conceding.