The emphasis for both sides will probably be on defence and that should result in a low scoring game. Take Rayo to grind out a 1-0 win as RSC have failed to score in three of their last five games and each of Rayo’s last five home wins have been accompanied by clean sheets.

These sides played out a 1-1 draw at The City Ground earlier this month and that is one of four draws that Nottingham Forest have played out in their last 10 games. The most recent two of these have ended 1-1, while Villa have two 1-1 stalemates in their last seven away games.

Rayo Vallecano have been close to perfect at home in Europe. Rayo won their first four home games in the competition, including a qualifier, and their one defeat came against Samsunspor after they had built up a 3-1 first leg lead. Strasbourg have failed to impress on their travels in this competition during the knockout stages and are in mixed form in general with three defeats in their last five games, so Rayo look capable of seizing the advantage and claiming a first leg win.

Rayo Vallecano have been close to perfect at home in Europe. Rayo won their first four home games in the competition, including a qualifier, and their one defeat came against Samsunspor after they had built up a 3-1 first leg lead. Strasbourg have failed to impress on their travels in this competition during the knockout stages and are in mixed form in general with three defeats in their last five games, so Rayo look capable of seizing the advantage and claiming a first leg win.

Both teams have scored in all three of Palace’s away trips in the knockout rounds of the Conference League, and the Eagles have conceded in four of their last five European trips. Shakhtar have scored in 11 of their 12 games in this competition, netting five goals across their two ties in the last round.

Harry Kane failed to score when these sides met earlier this season, but that is just one of nine times the England captain has not hit the net after starting for Bayern Munich this season. He has netted in 14 of his last 15 games for club and country, totalling 19 goals in this period and 53 for the club this term.

Both teams found the net in both legs of Braga’s quarter-final win over Real Betis and their last three fixtures have seen them score seven and concede four. Freiburg notched three times in both legs of their last Europa League tie and both teams have scored in their last three fixtures.

Crystal Palace have failed to win their last three UEFA Conference League away games and they have only won twice in their last 13 games away from Selhurst Park. Shakhtar, playing their home games in Krakow, beat AZ 5-2 on aggregate in the last round and could pull off an upset.

Burnley’s relegation was confirmed last week and they may struggle to find motivation at Elland Road. They have taken just two points from their last eight games and face a Leeds side battling for their own survival and unbeaten in five top-flight games.

Neither of these sides are safe from the drop in La Liga, but Girona are putting up a good fight and can distance themselves from the relegation battle. They have won three of their last five at home and are justified favourites to beat a Mallorca side winless on the road since December, losing seven of their 10 trips since.

Villarreal look good value for a return to the Champions League and they can take another step towards that goal against the relegation-threatened Levante. The visitors have taken one point from the last 15 available on their travels, while the Yellow Submarine have won four successive games at Estadio de la Ceramica.

Plymouth need a win to stand any chance of making the League One play-offs and should fill their boots against the relegated Northampton, but the bottom-placed have scored in six of their last seven and should end a miserable season with at least a goal against a Pilgrims side that have seen goals at both ends in their last four assignments.

There is a minuscule chance of Barrow avoiding relegation on the final day of the League Two season, but they can at least sign off with a third home win in their last five games against Newport, who have nothing to play for. The Exiles, who are safe from the drop, have lost three on the spin away from home.

Monaco may be short to claim the points at Metz, but their hosts are rock bottom of Ligue 1 and have claimed just 10 points from 15 home games. They have lost seven of their last nine at home, drawing the other two, and Champions League hopefuls have won three of their last four Ligue 1 away days.

Tottenham picked up a much-needed win at 20th-place Wolves last weekend, but top-five hopefuls Aston Villa represent a very different challenge. Unai Emery’s side have won four of their last five at Villa Park, while the torrid Spurs have lost four of their last six away from home and each of their last two trips to this ground.

Rayo Vallecano have been close to perfect at home in Europe. Rayo won their first four home games in the competition, including a qualifier, and their one defeat came against Samsunspor after they had built up a 3-1 first leg lead. Strasbourg have failed to impress on their travels in this competition during the knockout stages and are in mixed form in general with three defeats in their last five games, so Rayo look capable of seizing the advantage and claiming a first leg win.

Both teams have scored in all three of Palace’s away trips in the knockout rounds of the Conference League, and the Eagles have conceded in four of their last five European trips. Shakhtar have scored in 11 of their 12 games in this competition, netting five goals across their two ties in the last round.

Aston Villa are unbeaten in their last three meetings with Nottingham Forest and have only lost one of their last seven matches, while the Tricky Trees have only won two of their last nine home fixtures.

Braga are generally strong at home and they can seize a first leg lead against inconsistent travellers Freiburg. Os Arcebispos have won nine of their last 14 home games across all competitions, losing just once, and they’ve won five of their seven home Europa League games this season including qualifiers. Freiburg lost at Lille and Genk in the earlier stages of the competition.

IK Start remain winless after six Norway Eliteserien games, but they have found the net in five of these ties and may get a consolation against Bodo/Glimt, who have won three of their five league games but have conceded six goals.

Braga are generally strong at home and they can seize a first leg lead against inconsistent travellers Freiburg. Os Arcebispos have won nine of their last 14 home games across all competitions, losing just once, and they’ve won five of their seven home Europa League games this season including qualifiers. Freiburg lost at Lille and Genk in the earlier stages of the competition. Braga have conceded in five of their last seven at home, though, so Freiburg should find the net for a ninth time in 10 games on Thursday.

Aston Villa are unbeaten in their last three meetings with Nottingham Forest and have only lost one of their last seven matches, while the Tricky Trees have only won two of their last nine home fixtures.

Rao Vallecano have been close to perfect at home in Europe. Rayo won their first four home games in the competition, including a qualifier, and their one defeat came against Samsunspor after they had built up a 3-1 first leg lead. Strasbourg have failed to impress on their travels in this competition during the knockout stages and are in mixed form in general with three defeats in their last five games, so Rayo look capable of seizing the advantage and claiming a first leg win.

Both teams have scored in all three of Palace’s away trips in the knockout rounds of the Conference League, and the Eagles have conceded in four of their last five European trips. Shakhtar have scored in 11 of their 12 games in this competition, netting five goals across their two ties in the last round.

IK Start remain winless after six Norway Eliteserien games, but they have found the net in five of these ties and may get a consolation against Bodo/Glimt, who have won three of their five league games but have conceded six goals.

Braga are generally strong at home and they can seize a first leg lead against inconsistent travellers Freiburg. Os Arcebispos have won nine of their last 14 home games across all competitions, losing just once, and they’ve won five of their seven home Europa League games this season including qualifiers. Freiburg lost at Lille and Genk in the earlier stages of the competition. Braga have conceded in five of their last seven at home, though, so Freiburg should find the net for a ninth time in 10 games on Thursday.

Aston Villa are unbeaten in their last three meetings with Nottingham Forest and have only lost one of their last seven matches, while the Tricky Trees have only won two of their last nine home fixtures.

Braga are generally strong at home and they can seize a first leg lead against inconsistent travellers Freiburg. Os Arcebispos have won nine of their last 14 home games across all competitions, losing just once, and they’ve won five of their seven home Europa League games this season including qualifiers. Freiburg lost at Lille and Genk in the earlier stages of the competition.

Ollie Watkins has returned to form over the past couple of months, scoring seven and assisting two in his last nine appearances for Aston Villa, including three goals over two legs in the Europa League quarter-finals.

Pau Victor had the weekend off for Braga ahead of this fixture so he should come into Thursday’s game fresh. Victor scored against Betis in the previous round and has three goals in his last four games, he looks a decent contender for an anytime effort on Thursday.

Sarr is a goal shy of the Conference League top scorers with seven strikes this term. He’s found the net four times across his last three games in this competition, while he’s struck in all three of their away matches in the knockout rounds.

IK Start remain winless after six Norway Eliteserien games, but they have found the net in five of these ties and may get a consolation against Bodo/Glimt, who have won three of their five league games but have conceded six goals.

Both teams have scored in all three of Palace’s away trips in the knockout rounds of the Conference League, and the Eagles have conceded in four of their last five European trips. Shakhtar have scored in 11 of their 12 games in this competition, netting five goals across their two ties in the last round.