We kick off the first round of games in the UEL here today with some spectacular games and old faces meeting each other yet again.
We have a lot of predictions ahead of this as we have selected some of the best possible outcomes for this week’s fixtures.
Straight Wins.
Manchester United and Real Sociedad lock horns at Old Trafford in the Europa League on Thursday, September 8th. Both teams will aim to kick off their Group E campaigns with a win this week. Manchester United is on a four-game winning streak in the Premier League and could extend that run with a win over Real Sociedad here. Meanwhile, Sociedad has had somewhat of an inconsistent season with (2W,1D, and 1D) in their opening four LaLiga matches. The H2H record between both sides favors Manchester United with the English team never losing to their opponents in the past. The present form should count for something and this would be a win for Manchester United given their form during the build-up of this game. Bet9ja have 1.65 odds, Paripesa have 1.69 odds and 1xBet have 1.69 odds.
Monaco was also knocked out of UCL qualifying at the final hurdle in a 4-3 aggregate defeat against Dutch outfit PSV. This is Monaco’s first ever European clash against Serbian opponents and they may enter with confidence after ending a five-game winless run-in competitive action (D2, L3) with a 1-0 win at Nice last time out. Red Star remains unbeaten in domestic action this season though (W6, D2), and will hope to translate that into a positive UEL start. Both sides have been inconsistent this season, Monaco won their previous fixture before this and we are sure they’ll extend the winning run in this match. Bet9ja have 2.18 odds, Paripesa have 2.18 odds and 1xBet have 2.18 odds.
We are tipping Nantes to cause a possible upset here against opponents Olympiacos. Olympiacos dropped into the UEL after failing to negotiate the Champions League (UCL) qualifiers but made headlines recently by signing former Real Madrid defender Marcelo. Nantes would appear in their first UEL appearance since the tournament’s inception and would look to have a fine outing in their first group game against Olympiacos. Olympiacos are not renowned for their traveling form, losing their last three UEL proper away games. This trip may not be a fruitful one either as Olympiacos have lost five of their previous seven European games in France, Nantes on the other hand have a good home record this season losing just once to current league champions PSG. Nantes should win this game easily. Bet9ja have 2.46 odds, Paripesa have 2.50 odds and 1xBet have 2.50 odds.
Arsenal could come into this clash on a downer, having missed the chance to consolidate the top spot in the PL on Sunday, as they slumped to a 3-1 defeat against Manchester United. In what is Arsenal’s fifth UEL campaign in the last six seasons they would feel the trophy should be.at the Emirates already. They can surely correct this by starting with a win. Zürich return to UEFA European competition after a three-season absence, but the Swiss Champions have been dealt a tough hand to open their campaign as they host Arsenal. It was an away performance that let Arsenal down at the weekend, but they do tend to excel on their travels in the UEL, remaining unbeaten in their last nine group stage away games (W7, D2). Bet9ja have 1.30 odds, Paripesa have 1.32 odds and 1xBet have 1.32 odds.
Over 2.5
After missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification with defeat to Rangers in the play-off qualification round, Ruud van Nistelrooy must settle for leading his PSV side to a record-equaling tenth UEFA Europa League (UEL) group stage appearance. Arguably the breakout stars on the European stage last season, two-time consecutive Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt make their UEL group stage debut after reaching the UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-finals last term. Both sides have a lot of attacking potential with three out of the last four league games for both teams producing over 2.5 goals. Bet9ja have 1.45 odds, Paripesa have 1.45 odds and 1xBet have 1.45 odds.
Keen to bounce back from their defeat to Manchester United on Sunday, Arsenal is expected to put their pedal to the metal on Thursday in their Europa League Group A opener at Zurich and though the Gunners will name a changed team, they should still have too much firepower for their hosts. Zurich shipped six goals in their last two domestic home assignments and a much-stronger Arsenal outfit could tear their defense to shreds. Over 2.5 goals have landed in each of the Londoners’ last five matches and a similar outcome looks possible here. Bet9ja have 1.48 odds, Paripesa have 1.48 odds and 1xBet have 1.48 odds.
The inaugural winners of the UEFA Europa Conference League, Roma start their European campaign with a clear goal. José Mourinho’s men need to respond to their first serious setback of the season, as they suffered an embarrassing 4-0 defeat against Udinese on Sunday. Ludogorets on the other hand ran riot in their last league fixture coming out with six goals unanswered. Both sides have a lot of goalscoring intent and would exploit each other’s weaknesses today. Bet9ja have 1.73 odds, Paripesa have 1.81 odds and 1xBet have 1.81 odds.
Two competition debutants share the stage in UEFA Europa League (UEL) Group D, with Germany’s Union Berlin hosting Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise in the pair’s first-ever competitive H2H encounter. Only ever met once before this matchup in a friendly Union Berlin and Royale Union SG played out a draw ending with both sides scoring two goals each. Royale has averaged a total of four goals in each game played in the league as they are both good up front and lack defensive security. Union Berlin has had their fair share of goals this Bundesliga campaign and has scored quite a several goals this season too. Bet9ja have 1.67 odds, Paripesa have 1.76 odds and 1xBet have 1.76 odds.
Anytime Goalscorers
Nketiah
Eddie Nketiah has had to be patient this season and the attacker has been getting minutes in bits and pieces in the Premier League. The 23-year-old should be handed a start on Thursday however, and the youngster has already shown that he has the talent to make a splash in the Europa League. Nketiah notched three times in eight appearances when the Gunners last competed in the UEL in the 2020/21 season and the forward is worth backing to net in the same competition in midweek. Bet9ja have 1.90 odds while Paripesa have 1.75 odds.
Sheraldo Becker
Union Berlin’s Sheraldo Becker has been on fire domestically this season, scoring the game’s winning goal in three of his four goalscoring appearances. The Union Berlin forward has scored in three consecutive games and he totaled four goals in that run. He would be the one to help Union Berlin to their famous win here today. Bet9ja have 2.75 odds while Paripesa have 2.62 odds.
Bruno Fernandes
United’s Bruno Fernandes has assisted 23 PL goals from open play, the most of any PL player since his debut, and he also netted two goals against Sociedad in their knockout tie last season. The makeshift captain for this rejuvenated United squad has seen an uplift in form as he has been involved in all the Manchester United goals since the winning run began. He has a history against this side already and facing them in the kind of form he is in, he is sure to score. Bet9ja have 3.00 odds while Paripesa have 2.87 odds.
Dybala
Paulo Dybala seems to be loving life in Roma already, he has opened his goal account already for the club scoring a brace in Roma’s last league win. He would feel bad for not contributing as Roma was humiliated by Udinese last weekend, this match could provide a form of redemption for him and his teammates as they seek to start this season’s UEL campaign with a win. He has a good eye for goal and could be instrumental for Jose Mourinho today. Bet9ja have 2.00 odds while Paripesa have 1.95 odds.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.