The second tier of European club football, the Europa League, will make a return this week as teams continue to strive for decent results in the competition’s new league format.
With the newly redesigned format in use, every point counts, as there may not be enough time to make up for a faulty beginning.
With just hours to its return, Afrosport highlights the top five matches that its experts have tipped to catch the attention of the audience in matchday 5 with all matches set for Thursday, November 28.
Heading into Matchday 5… 🤩#UEL pic.twitter.com/giuF5KmP8q
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) November 26, 2024
Manchester United vs Bodo/Glimt
All eyes will be on Manchester United as newly hired manager Ruben Amorim takes charge of his first-ever European game in charge of the Red Devils since joining from Sporting this month.
The 39-year-old Portuguese started his reign with a 1-1 draw in the Premier League against Ipswich Town, a result that generated mixed reactions from fans and experts alike.
The 20-time English champions are so far unbeaten in the Europa League, but of the four games they have contested, only one resulted in a win, with the other three ending in a stalemate. United are 15th in the standings with six points, one point and three spots behind Bodo, who have amassed two wins, one draw, and one defeat.
Amorim, however, will be looking to the roaring crowd inside Old Trafford in his first home game as United manager as he looks to turn the tide around for the 2017 winners, and his side’s response after the disappointing league draw will be a subject of either applause or criticism at the end of the game.
Tottenham Hotspur vs AS Roma
Tottenham enter this contest bouncing following their 4-0 win over Manchester City in the Premier League over the weekend, while Roma are winless in four games, including suffering three defeats.
Spurs, seventh in the standings, have won three of their four matches in the Europa League with their only blemish, a 3-2 defeat to Galatasaray last time out. Roma, however, have one win, two draws, and a defeat, which sees them in 20th place.
With Roma looking to make a revival under new boss Claudio Ranieri, this fixture provides the Serie A side with a great opportunity to return to form and upset Tottenham, who have shown on numerous occasions that there are still cracks in their team.
Real Sociedad vs Ajax
The contrast in form and positions in the standings, make this one to look out for as Real Sociedad are badly in need of a win, while Ajax are looking to maintain their unbeaten record.
Sociedad need to find some form in the Europa League as they have won just once in the competition, playing out a draw once and losing twice, including a 2-1 defeat to Viktoria Plzen in their last fixture.
Francesco Farioli’s Ajax, on the other hand, are on a 16-game unbeaten run, and have claimed three wins from four matches in the Europa League, including a 5-0 rout of Besiktas last time out.
The Spaniards . Imanol Alguacil’s men are also winless in three of their last four matches across all competitions, although they earned a 1-0 win over Barcelona in their last fixture at Reale Arena.
Sociedad have been inconsistent lately, claiming three wins and suffering as many defeats in their last six matches across all competitions. Their home form will also provide Ajax with a boast as the Spanish side have won just one of their last four matches at the Anoeta.
AZ Alkmaar vs Galatasaray
17th-placed AZ Alkmaar will welcome Galatasaray, third in the standings, to the AFAS stadium in the Netherlands. Although the Dutch side plays at home, they are up against the Turkish giants, who are expected to be led upfront by Nigerian forward and reigning African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen has scored eight goals in 10 matches this season, including two goals in three Europa League matches—both coming in their 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur at the RAMS Park on November 7—and he is expected to be their main source of goals with Mauro Icardi out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Alkmaar have recorded two wins and two losses in the competition, while Galatasaray are one of the remaining eight unbeaten teams and has clinched three wins and a draw in their opening four matches.
Galatasaray enters this game in blistering form, having won their last seven matches in all competitions, but Alkmaar can rely on their most recent result against Turkish opposition, having defeated Fenerbahce 3-1 at home in their last match in the Europa League.
Lazio vs Ludogorets
After four round of matches, Italian side Lazio lead the 36-team table with 12 points, and the Biancocelesti remains the only team with a 100 percent record in the competition, having won all four games.
Ludogorets, meanwhile, are yet to win a game so far, as the Bulgarian side has lost three games and picked up just one point, a goalless draw away at Viktoria Plzen.
This contest is a battle of two teams with diverse situations, and the clash at the Stadio Olimpico is one that is expected to be thrilling as Lazio intends to maintain their unbeaten and perfect start, while the visitors search for their first victory in this season’s Europa League.
Matchweek is here 🧡#UEL pic.twitter.com/GFH3LvW7GN
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) November 25, 2024
