Europa League Predictions: Gameweek 6 Picks
The Europa League and Europa Conference League group stages come to a close this week, with British teams still needing results to secure their places in the knockout rounds of this tournament. As ever our in-house writers have cast their eye over Thursday's action and highlighted predictions for the five most important fixtures.
Europa League/Europa Conference League Gameweek 6 Predictions
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Liverpool
- Thursday 14th December, 5:45pm, TNT Sports 2
Top of the Premier League table, Liverpool occupy the same spot in Europa League Group E with 12 points from a possible 15 meaning they are already confirmed as group winners. The Reds will probably rotate heavily in order to keep their frontline stars as fresh as possible with the hectic schedule to come domestically, but even a Liverpool B team should have enough for their Belgian opponents Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
The hosts need LASK to do them a favour and beat Toulouse if they are to have any chance of qualifying through the group stages, while also claiming a famous win over Liverpool themselves. They’ll put up a fight no doubt, but Klopp’s men should be too strong.
Billy Grimshaw's Prediction: Union Saint-Gilloise 1-2 Liverpool
Brighton vs Marseille
- Thursday 14th December, 8pm, TNT Sports 2
Both Brighton and Marseille have already secured their qualification through to the Europa League knockout phase and when the pair met in the reverse fixture they played out a 2-2 draw in France. A similar scoreline could well be on the cards on Thursday and with both teams to score landing in all 16 of Brighton’s Premier League matches this season, the visitors can get on the scoresheet.
The Seagulls have grown into this competition and I fancy them to end the group stage with a high scoring victory.
Anthony Eadson's Prediction: Brighton 3-2 Marseille
West Ham vs Freiburg
- Thursday 14th December, 8pm, TNT Sports 1
West Ham's qualification is already secure, however, they and 2nd placed Freiburg will duke it out for who claims top spot in Group A. With two UEL victories at the London Stadium and a win over the German outfit away from home, we're confident David Moyes' side can pick up all three points.
Considering how The Hammers have kept just four clean sheets all season and are facing a team who've netted 17 times in five Europa League fixtures, a home win and BTTS seems like the best guess here.
Luke Hamilton's Prediction: West Ham 2-1 Freiburg
Real Betis vs Rangers
- Thursday 14th December, 8pm, TNT Sports 3
Rangers are in a very tight Europa League group. Victory for any of the top three sides could make them the group winners and avoid the playoffs or worse, the Europa Conference, so all sides will be looking to get goals early and seal the deal.
However, Rangers do not travel well in Europe and despite the Gers winning 1-0 in the reverse fixture, Betis have been the in-form team in this group. If Rangers go on the attack it could set them up for counter-attacks from a team that has only lost one game at home in La Liga.
Michael Bates' Prediction: Real Betis 3-1 Rangers
Zrinjski Mostar vs Aston Villa
- Thursday 14th December, 5:45pm, TNT Sports 1
Aston Villa need a point to ensure top spot and progression into the next round. While their home form has been spectacular, they've not managed to replicate this on a consistent basis away from Villa Park. However, they make the trip to Bosnia on the back of two huge wins over Man City and Arsenal - plus four straight wins in Europe - meaning confidence will be flowing through the ranks as they bid to book their last-16 spot.
Zrinjski are rock bottom of the group and have lost their last four in a row, scoring only once in that time.
Jack Kitson's Prediction: Zrinjski Mostar 0-1 Aston Villa
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