Europa League Predictions 2023/24: Gameweek 3 Picks

Gameweek 3 of the Europa League/Conference League has arrived, and we're here to bring you our predictions for the five matches involving British teams.

AZ Alkmaar vs Aston Villa

• Thursday 26th October, 5:45pm, TNT Sports 2

Aston Villa wasted no time recovering from a surprising 3-2 defeat to Legia Warsaw, with John McGinn securing a late winner against Zrinjski. A victory over AZ could propel the Premier League team to the summit of the standings in a very tight group with all teams on 3 points with 2 games played. The Villans will be riding high on confidence after an impressive 4-1 win over West Ham in the EPL. Despite having Ramsey and Moreno out due to injury, an away victory should certainly be on the cards.

Michael Bates' Prediction: AZ Alkmaar 1-2 Aston Villa

Olympiakos vs West Ham

• Thursday 26th October, 5:45pm, TNT Sports 1

West Ham come in as the favourites for this one and with only one loss in their last five games it's easy to see why. They've also won both of their games in the Europa League this season and are an obvious threat to anyone in the competition. However, this is no easy place to come on a European away day.

Olympiakos have only lost two of their last 14 home games in all competitions and I worry the occasion will get to West Ham here with the Olympiakos fans being very tough to deal with. The Greek side currently sit at the top of their league and whilst West Ham are doing decent in 9th, I think the momentum is with the home side.

Steven McQuillan's Prediction: Olympiakos 2-0 West Ham

Sparta Prague vs Rangers

• Thursday 26th October, 5:45pm, TNT Sports 3

All four sides in Group C currently have three points heading into Matchday 3. Rangers travel to Sparta Prague, however, it’s the home side who we expect to come out on top here.

The Gers have won just one of their last 12 away games in major European competitions (D3 L8), losing each of their last seven in a row since beating Borussia Dortmund 4-2 in February 2022.

Sparta Prague sit top of the Czech top-flight and have won their last six matches on home soil across all competitions.

Anthony Eadson's Prediction: Sparta Prague 2-1 Rangers

Brighton vs Ajax

• Thursday 26th October, 8pm, TNT Sports 2

Ajax are a club in turmoil at the moment and while the talk of relegation may be fanciful, they look a shadow of their powerhouse teams of yesteryear. Their chance of qualification for European football next year may hinge on the somehow winning this competition this season, which seems a fanciful prospect looking at their wretched domestic form.

They have bagged two points from two games so far in the UEL after two score draws, while Brighton were upset by AEK Athens in their first foray into European football but got back on track against Marseille on the road with a last gasp come from behind draw.

The Seagulls are one of the Premier League's most entertaining outfits and after losing then drawing, they are fancied to finally win in Europe here in an entertaining game.

Billy Grimshaw's Prediction: Brighton 3-1 Ajax

Liverpool vs Toulouse

• Thursday 26th October, 8pm, TNT Sports 1

The Reds will be thankful that they managed to unlock a stubborn 10-man Everton to give them the win in Saturday's Merseyside derby. Jurgen Klopp's side are in an extremely healthy place, resting inside the division's top four and already two points clear of their opponents in Group E.

Toulouse have four points from their opening two Europa League matches, but neither that nor their Ligue 1 10th place standing with only two wins from a possible nine is enough to convince us they'll be taking anything away from Anfield on Thursday night.

Luke Hamilton's Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Toulouse