Thursday’s Europa League predictions including Ajax vs. FK Vojvodina

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© Imago

In the first leg of the second Europa League qualifying round, Wisla Krakow are set to host Rapid Vienna at Stadion Miejski im. Henryka Reymana on Thursday.

The home side finished 10th in Poland’s second division in 2023-24 but reached the Europa League’s qualifying rounds thanks to their Polish Cup win, while the Austrian visitors finished sixth in the regular season and fourth in their championship playoff group.

We say: Wisla Krakow 1-2 Rapid Vienna

Although Wisla Krakow’s appearance in the Europa League qualifying rounds should be seen as an achievement itself, it is difficult to see them securing a positive result in the first leg.

The hosts’ status as a second division side cannot be overlooked, and this should make visitors Rapid Vienna favourites heading into Thursday’s clash.

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In the first leg of the second Europa League qualifying round, MFK Ruzomberok are set to host Trabzonspor at Futbalovy stadion MFK Ruzomberok on Thursday.

The home side finished sixth in the regular season of Slovakia’s top flight in 2023-24 with 34 points from 22 games, while the visitors finished third in Turkey’s Super Lig with 67 points from 38 games.

We say: MFK Ruzomberok 1-2 Trabzonspor

While Ruzomberok will feel confident of causing the visitors difficulty given their performances against Tobol, they still experienced moments of defensive vulnerability in those games.

Additionally, Trabzonspor will take confidence from the fact their hosts did concede the first goal in both legs of the first qualifying round, and should come into the game as favourites.

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Molde will play host to Silkeborg when they travel to the Molde Stadion on Thursday evening for the first leg of their Europa League second qualifying round matchup.

Both teams are set to make their first appearance on the continent this season after securing their place in the second round with domestic cup triumphs in the last campaign.

We say: Molde 2-1 Silkeborg

With Molde holding both the home advantage and a perceived stronger squad heading into this second qualifying round first leg, the hosts are strong favourites to win the tie, and we expect them to get off to the ideal start with a victory here.

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Sheriff Tiraspol take on Elfsborg at the Bolshaya Sportivnaya Arena on Thursday evening in the first leg of their Europa League second qualifying round showdown.

The hosts edged through the first round on penalties after a 2-2 draw over two legs against Azerbaijani side Zira FK, while the visitors comfortably defeated Pafos 8-2 on aggregate.

We say: Sheriff Tiraspol 1-3 Elfsborg

While the hosts have been struggling recently, the visitors have been in great form under their new manager and come into this game as the favourites to secure a lead for the return leg at home.

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Corvinul Hunedoara and HNK Rijeka square off in the first leg of their Europa League second qualifying round tie on Thursday evening.

While the Romanian hosts caused a surprise in the opening round, their Croatian opponents are participating in their first competitive game of the campaign.

We say: Corvinul Hunedoara 1-2 HNK Rijeka

While Corvinul can take nothing but confidence from reaching this stage, facing Rijeka is a considerable step up. We expect the home side to be competitive, yet the visitors should come through with a hard-earned victory.

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Panathinaikos and Botev Plovdiv will hope to take a step towards making the Europa League group stages when they meet in the first leg of their second qualifying round tie on Thursday evening.

While the home side are making their first appearance on the continent this season, the visitors have already secured a notable triumph in the previous round.

We say: Panathinaikos 2-0 Botev Plovdiv

With the visitors already having two competitive fixtures in their legs, Panathinaikos will be wary of being caught short in terms of fitness. However, we expect Alonso’s men to come through in a professional manner, potentially with a goal in either half.

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Dutch giants Ajax begin their quest to qualify for the 2024-25 Europa League when they play host to Serbian outfit FK Vojvodina in the first leg of their second qualifying round tie on Thursday evening.

The winners of this two-legged contest will face either Panathinaikos or Botev Plovdiv in the third qualifying round.

We say: Ajax 2-0 FK Vojvodina

Ajax should not take Vojvodina lightly considering their pre-season form and strong start to the new domestic campaign, but the Dutch giants themselves have shown signs of promise in pre-season and they will be regarded as favourites to come out on top and take an advantage into next week’s second leg.

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Kilmarnock welcome Cercle Brugge to Rugby Park for the first leg of their Europa League second round qualifying tie on Thursday evening.

The victors of this two-legged contest will face either Molde FK or Silkeborg IF in the third qualifying round.

We say: Kilmarnock 1-1 Cercle Brugge

Both teams will fancy their chances of coming out on top in this first-leg tie, particularly Kilmarnock on home soil, but we expect a somewhat cagey affair to take place on Thursday which could lead to a share of the spoils, keeping the tie finely poised ahead of the reverse fixture next week.

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Braga welcome Maccabi Petah Tikva to Estadio Municipal de Braga for the first leg of their Europa League second round qualifying tie on Thursday evening.

The winners of this two-legged affair will lock horns with either Molde FK or Silkeborg IF in the third qualifying round.

We say: Braga 2-0 Maccabi Petah Tikva

Although Maccabi Petah Tikva cannot be entirely written off, Braga will be regarded as firm favourites to come out on top and should have few problems claiming a routine victory on home soil to give themselves an advantage heading into next week’s second leg.

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