Fernncvaros only lost one of their eight games during the the league phase and they are unbeaten at home in this competition this season. The Hungarian outfit are on a five-game winning run and can at least avoid defeat against Braga, who failed to win two of their league phase trips and have just three wins in their last seven away games.

Rakow went unbeaten through the League Phase of the Conference League, but their toughest games were against sides that finished 4th and 18th, with four fixtures against sides placed 23rd or lower. Fiorentina took a commanding lead in their first leg clash with Jagiellonia in the last round, and Rakow sit two spots below them in the Ekstraklasa. The visitors were short on goals in the League Phase, and that was in spite of them overperforming against their xG. Fiorentina won 3-0 at Jagiellonia in the first-leg of the last round and they can secure another win to nil.

Forest have failed to win seven of their last eight home games while FC Midtjylland, who won 3-2 at the City Ground in October, have avoided defeat in their last four away games.

Genk lost at home to Ferencvaros in the league phase and to Lech Poznan during qualifying, while they were also beaten by Dinamo Zagreb at home in a play-off. Freiburg have struggled on their travels this season but they impressed in a 3-3 draw with Leverkusen at the weekend and can overcome a Genk side who have three defeats in their last four games.

Mainz are the clear favourites and their quality should see them win then tie, while they are the more likely winners on the night in the first leg as they are in form domestically with just one loss in their last seven league games (W3, D3). Sigma can keep it tight, however, and they should be expected to get on the scoresheet as they have scored in eight consecutive home games, and both teams have scored in their last four home Conference League games.

Proactif looks like heading the betting for the Mullins yard as the Closutton operation goes for a fifth straight success in this race but it was stablemate SELMA DE VARY that got closest to Narciso Has at last month’s DRF in their Grade 1 juvenile and that contest has produced four of the last five winners in this. She could be the one now, though another Mullins inmate, Kai Lung, has seen the form of his Naas maiden win work out nicely here (beat the Fred Winter winner) and he could go well at massive odds.

Kripticjim is a lively each-way contender for Joe Tizzard after his Trials Day success here but DOCTOR STEINBERG sets the standard for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend and still has lots of scope for better. He was too keen at the Dublin Racing Festival but still came home in isolation up front and if he conserves his early energy a bit better, he can outclass this field based on what we saw at Leopardstown.

Haiti Couleurs is the interesting stamina-horse, with definite Synchronised/Native River vibes about him, while Gaelic Warrior is classy on his day but has had three very hard races coming here. Last year’s winner Inothewayurthinkin has bombed out in three runs since, while a big run from the mighty Envoi Allen would bring the house down on his Cheltenham farewell.

The Jukebox Man beat both Gaelic Warrior (third) and JANGO BAIE (fourth) in the King George at Christmas but a decent blanket would have covered them. Nicky Henderson’s runner was outpaced before staying on, as he was in his Arkle win here last season. He’s got the profile of a Gold Cup winner and could relish this test at a course where he is unbeaten in two runs.

Proactif looks like heading the betting for the Mullins yard as the Closutton operation goes for a fifth straight success in this race but it was stablemate SELMA DE VARY that got closest to Narciso Has at last month’s DRF in their Grade 1 juvenile and that contest has produced four of the last five winners in this. She could be the one now, though another Mullins inmate, Kai Lung, has seen the form of his Naas maiden win work out nicely here (beat the Fred Winter winner) and he could go well at massive odds.

Dinoblue is all the rage for this but her Festival record shows just one win from four, she’s 1-3 in this contest previously, while at nine she goes against the age trends too. ONLY BY NIGHT was second in the Arkle here last March and Gavin Cromwell pinpointed this race back in the autumn as the long-range target. She won first time out and her Grade 1 effort at Leopardstown over Christmas facing geldings is easily forgiven. She should be primed to the minute and looks like a major player.

Kripticjim is a lively each-way contender for Joe Tizzard after his Trials Day success here but DOCTOR STEINBERG sets the standard for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend and still has lots of scope for better. He was too keen at the Dublin Racing Festival but still came home in isolation up front and if he conserves his early energy a bit better, he can outclass this field based on what we saw at Leopardstown.

Haiti Couleurs is the interesting stamina-horse, with definite Synchronised/Native River vibes about him, while Gaelic Warrior is classy on his day but has had three very hard races coming here. Last year’s winner Inothewayurthinkin has bombed out in three runs since, while a big run from the mighty Envoi Allen would bring the house down on his Cheltenham farewell.

The Jukebox Man beat both Gaelic Warrior (third) and JANGO BAIE (fourth) in the King George at Christmas but a decent blanket would have covered them. Nicky Henderson’s runner was outpaced before staying on, as he was in his Arkle win here last season. He’s got the profile of a Gold Cup winner and could relish this test at a course where he is unbeaten in two runs.

It’s On The Line has another tilt at this and may go well, while Stattler is under Patrick Mullins but SHEARER was fifth last year having perhaps committed for home too soon. Gina Andrews rides today and is a positive jockey booking for Paul Nicholls, who has won this race a record four times. He should be sharpened up for his recent Haydock comeback and looks a key each-way player.

This has tended to be a benefit for Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott, with eight wins between them including seven of the last 12. Galopin Des Champs was the last Mullins winner in 2021 (what became of him!) and KEL HISTOIRE looks a major contender this time to cap a big week for the trainer and owner JP McManus. His mark of 137 is no gimme but he has run with credit in a pair of graded races on home soil this season, remains unexposed and could be hiding considerable latent ability now going handicapping. Michael Kenneally rides and is worth at least 6lb in this Conditional Jockeys’ contest to round off the Cotswolds shenanigans for another year.

A fierce handicap in which Sinnatra, Karbau and Sixandahalf are considered but OOH BETTY looks overpriced to perhaps run into the money. She won a Grade 2 at Ascot last time against her own sex for Ben Clarke and Ben Jones and gets in here light off 10st 4lb. The Westerner mare was second behind 2025 Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace in a Listed novice over 2m4½f on her only previous Cheltenham start and her fondness for racing handily could be a big asset on this week’s evidence.

A fierce handicap in which Sinnatra, Karbau and Sixandahalf are considered but OOH BETTY looks overpriced to perhaps run into the money. She won a Grade 2 at Ascot last time against her own sex for Ben Clarke and Ben Jones and gets in here light off 10st 4lb. The Westerner mare was second behind 2025 Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace in a Listed novice over 2m4½f on her only previous Cheltenham start and her fondness for racing handily could be a big asset on this week’s evidence.

It’s On The Line has another tilt at this and may go well, while Stattler is under Patrick Mullins but SHEARER was fifth last year having perhaps committed for home too soon. Gina Andrews rides today and is a positive jockey booking for Paul Nicholls, who has won this race a record four times. He should be sharpened up for his recent Haydock comeback and looks a key each-way player.

Haiti Couleurs is the interesting stamina-horse, with definite Synchronised/Native River vibes about him, while Gaelic Warrior is classy on his day but has had three very hard races coming here. Last year’s winner Inothewayurthinkin has bombed out in three runs since, while a big run from the mighty Envoi Allen would bring the house down on his Cheltenham farewell.

The Jukebox Man beat both Gaelic Warrior (third) and JANGO BAIE (fourth) in the King George at Christmas but a decent blanket would have covered them. Nicky Henderson’s runner was outpaced before staying on, as he was in his Arkle win here last season. He’s got the profile of a Gold Cup winner and could relish this test at a course where he is unbeaten in two runs.

Gent have won three of their last five at home but have only kept one clean sheet in this period. They should get the win against a Zulte Waragem side winless on the road since September in the Belgium top flight. They have lost their last six trips away, but have scored in five of these defeats.

Haiti Couleurs is the interesting stamina-horse, with definite Synchronised/Native River vibes about him, while Gaelic Warrior is classy on his day but has had three very hard races coming here. Last year’s winner Inothewayurthinkin has bombed out in three runs since, while a big run from the mighty Envoi Allen would bring the house down on his Cheltenham farewell.

The Jukebox Man beat both Gaelic Warrior (third) and JANGO BAIE (fourth) in the King George at Christmas but a decent blanket would have covered them. Nicky Henderson’s runner was outpaced before staying on, as he was in his Arkle win here last season. He’s got the profile of a Gold Cup winner and could relish this test at a course where he is unbeaten in two runs.

CARRIGMOORNASPRUCE is a viable alternative to favourite Bambino Fever at double-figure odds for trainer Declan Queally. She was smart in bumpers, has progressed in each of three hurdles starts and was second in a Leopardstown Grade 1 against geldings over Christmas.

Fergal O’Brien’s thirst for a festival winner here could be satisfied by SIXMILEBRIDGE. He’s proving quite the talent since going chasing and remains unbeaten having landed the Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown last time. He has won here over fences already and a mark of 150 is within range.

There doesn’t seem much upside in opposing WODHOOH for Gordon Elliott after Lossiemouth defected and won the Champion Hurdle instead of trying for a third win in this race.

Rapidly progressive young star KABRAL DU MATHAN won the Relkeel in good style here on New Year’s Day and could emulate Big Buck’s and Flooring Porter by winning this at age six. Indeed, he could follow their lead and win it more than once based on what he’s been doing lately.

IMPAIRE ET PASSE has got lots of class, is a Festival winner here over hurdles, has low miles on the clock over fences and looked on very good terms with himself in his comeback win at Gowran Park. He’s a very fresh horse and can mount a mighty challenge for Paul Townend.

A fiendish handicap but one in which C’EST DIFFERENT could carry on his winning spree for trainer Sam Thomas. The six-year-old won a qualifier for this at Market Rasen in November on seasonal bow, very readily, and followed up in smooth fashion at Newbury in January in a race that worked out well. He’s gone up 10lb to a mark of 131 but that might not be enough to ground him.

SANDOR CLEGANE has always presented as a dour stayer. Paul Nolan’s charge perhaps hasn’t fulfilled the early potential he showed but he was third here in the Albert Bartlett in 2023 and fourth.

Fergal O’Brien’s thirst for a festival winner here could be satisfied by SIXMILEBRIDGE. He’s proving quite the talent since going chasing and remains unbeaten having landed the Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown last time. He has won here over fences already and a mark of 150 is within range.

Rapidly progressive young star KABRAL DU MATHAN won the Relkeel in good style here on New Year’s Day and could emulate Big Buck’s and Flooring Porter by winning this at age six. Indeed, he could follow their lead and win it more than once based on what he’s been doing lately.

Bologna have five wins in their last six games and can strike first against Roma, who are winless in four on the road games The hosts have a good record against Roma, particularly at this venue where they are unbeaten in four (W2, D2), and they can seize the initiative as underdogs by winning the first leg of this all-Serie A tie.

Both teams have scored in each of Lyon’s last four matches, while Celta have kept only one clean sheet across their five home games in this competition. The hosts have scored in all 10 of their Europa League matches so far, while Lyon’s attacking quality helped them to top the League Phase. Lyon are winless in four matches following an impressive winning run, and they head to a Celta Vigo side who will be targeting this competition. The hosts won four of their five home ties in the Europa League this term and can strike first in Spain in the first leg.

Fergal O’Brien’s thirst for a festival winner here could be satisfied by SIXMILEBRIDGE. He’s proving quite the talent since going chasing and remains unbeaten having landed the Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown last time. He has won here over fences already and a mark of 150 is within range.

Rapidly progressive young star KABRAL DU MATHAN won the Relkeel in good style here on New Year’s Day and could emulate Big Buck’s and Flooring Porter by winning this at age six. Indeed, he could follow their lead and win it more than once based on what he’s been doing lately.

Fergal O’Brien’s thirst for a festival winner here could be satisfied by SIXMILEBRIDGE. He’s proving quite the talent since going chasing and remains unbeaten having landed the Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown last time. He has won here over fences already and a mark of 150 is within range.

Fergal O’Brien’s thirst for a festival winner here could be satisfied by SIXMILEBRIDGE. He’s proving quite the talent since going chasing and remains unbeaten having landed the Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown last time. He has won here over fences already and a mark of 150 is within range.

Bologna have five wins in their last six games and can strike first against Roma, who are winless in four on the road games The hosts have a good record against Roma, particularly at this venue where they are unbeaten in four (W2, D2), and they can seize the initiative as underdogs by winning the first leg of this all-Serie A tie.

There doesn’t seem much upside in opposing WODHOOH for Gordon Elliott after Lossiemouth defected and won the Champion Hurdle instead of trying for a third win in this race.

Rapidly progressive young star KABRAL DU MATHAN won the Relkeel in good style here on New Year’s Day and could emulate Big Buck’s and Flooring Porter by winning this at age six. Indeed, he could follow their lead and win it more than once based on what he’s been doing lately.

IMPAIRE ET PASSE has got lots of class, is a Festival winner here over hurdles, has low miles on the clock over fences and looked on very good terms with himself in his comeback win at Gowran Park. He’s a very fresh horse and can mount a mighty challenge for Paul Townend.

A fiendish handicap but one in which C’EST DIFFERENT could carry on his winning spree for trainer Sam Thomas. The six-year-old won a qualifier for this at Market Rasen in November on seasonal bow, very readily, and followed up in smooth fashion at Newbury in January in a race that worked out well. He’s gone up 10lb to a mark of 131 but that might not be enough to ground him.

SANDOR CLEGANE has always presented as a dour stayer. Paul Nolan’s charge perhaps hasn’t fulfilled the early potential he showed but he was third here in the Albert Bartlett in 2023 and fourth.

Both teams have scored in each of Lyon’s last four matches, while Celta have kept only one clean sheet across their five home games in this competition. The hosts have scored in all 10 of their Europa League matches so far, while Lyon’s attacking quality helped them to top the League Phase.

Rakow went unbeaten through the League Phase of the Conference League, but their toughest games were against sides that finished 4th and 18th, with four fixtures against sides placed 23rd or lower. Fiorentina took a commanding lead in their first leg clash with Jagiellonia in the last round, and Rakow sit two spots below them in the Ekstraklasa.

Forest have failed to win seven of their last eight home games while FC Midtjylland, who won 3-2 at the City Ground in October, have avoided defeat in their last four away games.

Fewer than three goals have been scored in five of Palace’s last seven home games and in five of AEK Larnaca’s six Conference League clashes. There were only three shots on target when Larnaca beat Palace 1-0 at Selhurst Park in October, so expect another tight affair.

Lyon are winless in four matches following an impressive winning run, and they head to a Celta Vigo side who will be targeting this competition. The hosts won four of their five home ties in the Europa League this term, including two 2-1 victories. Lyon’s attacking quality helped them to top the League Phase and they can keep the tie in the balance with a goal but Celta can edge this first leg 2-1. 

Rakow went unbeaten through the League Phase of the Conference League, but their toughest games were against sides that finished 4th and 18th, with four fixtures against sides placed 23rd or lower. Fiorentina took a commanding lead in their first leg clash with Jagiellonia in the last round, and Rakow sit two spots below them in the Ekstraklasa.The visitors were short on goals in the League Phase, and that was in spite of them overperforming against their xG. Fiorentina won 3-0 at Jagiellonia in the first-leg of the last round and they can secure a 2-0 win in Tuscany on Thursday.

Jorgen Stran Larsen looks set to spearhead the Eagles’ attack and he is in decent goalscoring form after bagging three goals in his last six appearances, including one against Tottenham last week.

Visiting striker Junior Brumado has scored five goals in his last four games, including a spectacular volley with his weaker left foot last weekend. 

Fewer than three goals have been scored in five of Palace’s last seven home games and in five of AEK Larnaca’s six Conference League clashes. There were only three shots on target when Larnaca beat Palace 1-0 at Selhurst Park in October, so expect another tight affair.

Both teams have scored in each of Lyon’s last four matches, while Celta have kept only one clean sheet across their five home games in this competition. The hosts have scored in all 10 of their Europa League matches so far, while Lyon’s attacking quality helped them to top the League Phase. Lyon are winless in four matches following an impressive winning run, and they head to a Celta Vigo side who will be targeting this competition. The hosts won four of their five home ties in the Europa League this term and can strike first in Spain in the first leg.

Mainz are the clear favourites and their quality should see them win then tie, while they are the more likely winners on the night in the first leg as they are in form domestically with just one loss in their last seven league games (W3, D3). Sigma can keep it tight, however, and they should be expected to get on the scoresheet as they have scored in eight consecutive home games, and both teams have scored in their last four home Conference League games.

Huracan are a point above River Plate and have won their last three home games by an aggregate scoreline of 5-1, while River Plate have drawn two and lost two of their last four away fixtures.

Western Sydney Wanderers’ last four A-League games have featured 16 goals in total and over 2.5 goals has landed in their last four away games, while Brisbane Roar have seen three or more goals in two of their last three at home.

These two sides are meeting in the knockouts for the fifth straight year, and Real Madrid have won three of the previous four meetings, including the last two. The Spanish giants have won eight of their last 10 under new boss Arbeloa at the time of the draw, and they are one of the few sides in Europe with the individual talent to match City.

While Chelsea beat PSG 3-0 in the summer’s Club World Cup, Enzo Maresca’s tactical tweaks were key in that victory. Months on, and the Blues look to have gone backwards. PSG clearly took issue with the Blues, and they can claim some revenge after eliminating three Premier League sides on their way to last season’s final.

Sporting are arguably the weakest of the top-eight sides, while Bodo have won four straight European games including home and away victories over Inter Milan. The Norwegian side went to the semis in the Europa League last year, and they can see off a Sporting side who overperformed their xG numbers at a huge rate in the League Phase.

Atletico Madrid were handily beaten by Arsenal and Liverpool in the League Phase, while they were a mess defensively against Club Brugge in the last round. Spurs won all four home games on their way to finishing fourth in the first round, and they can match an Atletico side who have been far from dominant in Europe in recent seasons.

Both teams have scored in each of Lyon’s last four matches, while Celta have kept only one clean sheet across their five home games in this competition. The hosts have scored in all 10 of their Europa League matches so far, while Lyon’s attacking quality helped them to top the League Phase.

Mainz are the clear favourites and their quality should see them win then tie, while they are the more likely winners on the night in the first leg as they are in form domestically with just one loss in their last seven league games (W3, D3). Sigma can keep it tight, however, and they should be expected to get on the scoresheet as they have scored in eight consecutive home games, and both teams have scored in their last four home Conference League games.

Both teams have scored in four of Porto’s last five Europa League games, and they meet a Stuttgart side who have scored at least twice in five of their last six matches. The German outfit are without a clean sheet in their last five European games, so back both teams to score.

Both teams have scored in Panathinaikos’ last four games and in their last four European outings. Betis have seen goals at both ends in three of their last four games and they have conceded in seven of their last eight on the road.

Bologna have five wins in their last six games and can strike first against Roma, who are winless in four on the road games The hosts have a good record against Roma, particularly at this venue where they are unbeaten in four (W2, D2), and they can seize the initiative as underdogs by winning the first leg of this all-Serie A tie.

Lille were beaten at home by Crvena Zvezda in the last round, one of five defeats they’ve suffered in their last eight Europa League matches. The hosts have also lost five of seven meetings with the five sides above them in Ligue 1, so back them to fall short against a Villa side who won seven of eight League Phase matches.

Both teams have scored in four of Porto’s last five Europa League games, and they meet a Stuttgart side who have scored at least twice in five of their last six matches. The German outfit are without a clean sheet in their last five European games, so back both teams to score.

Both teams have scored in Panathinaikos’ last four games and in their last four European outings. Betis have seen goals at both ends in three of their last four games and they have conceded in seven of their last eight on the road.

Bologna have five wins in their last six games and can strike first against Roma, who are winless in four on the road games The hosts have a good record against Roma, particularly at this venue where they are unbeaten in four (W2, D2), and they can seize the initiative as underdogs by winning the first leg of this all-Serie A tie.