Europa league will conclude this week with host of intriguing matches to be played on Wednesday and Thursday. Teams from Group D, E, F, J, K and L will compete tonight while the rest will battle tomorrow.
Let’s have a look at the fixtures for tonight.
Besiktas v Stoke
Dynamo Kiev v Macc Tel-Aviv
FC Zurich v FC Vaslui
Lazio v Sporting
Paris SG v Athletic Bilbao
Slovan Bratislava v Red Bull Salzburg
Anderlecht v Lokomotiv Moscow
Fulham v Odense BK
Maccabi Haifa v Schalke 04
Steaua Bucharest v AEK Larnaca
Sturm Graz v AEK Athens
Wisla Krakow v FC Twente
Sporting Lisbon has already won its group which means the match against Lazio is more or less meaningless. Lazio will have to win the match and at the same time FC Vaslui has to lose pointsto FC Zurich if the Italians are to qualify.
Schalke has been confirmed the group winners but all eyes will be on the three remaining teams Maccabi Haifa, Steaua Bucharest and AEK Larnaca as all of them have a chance to qualify. The winners between Steaua and Larnaca will qualify if Maccabi fails to win at home against Schalke.
Second Placed in Group K are Fulham who will be favorites to get all three points over Odense BK. Failing to do so will give Wisla Krakow a chance to qualify if they register a win over group winner FC Twente.
Group E leaders Stoke must avoid defeat at Besiktas to win the group. If they beat their Turkish opponents and Dynamo Kiev win against Maccabi Tel-Aviv the Ukranians can qualify provided they yield a better goal difference. The matches between Besiktas and Dynamo Kiev had ended on a 1-0 win for the home side.
Both Anderlecht and Lokomotiv Moscow have booked places in the next round, so Wednesday’s clash between the two clubs will determine who wins the group and earns a potentially easier draw in the knockout phase.
Group F sees a fight for the second place between Red Bull Salzburg and Paris Saint Germain. Both are level on points but PSG have to win against winners Athletic Bilbao and hope Salzburg drop points if they are to qualify.
With both the Manchesters clubs joining the second string European club competition, this year it looks a bit more exciting and will attract more followers as well.
