Hoffenheim vs Red Star Belgrade Europa League Match Preview or Key Statistics 📊
This will be the first meeting between Hoffenheim and FK Crvena Zvezda, with the German side also facing Serbian opposition for the first time. Red Star's only previous meeting with German opposition in the Europa League saw them defeat 1. FC Kain 1-0 home and away in the group stages in 2017-18. Including qualifying matches, Hoffenheim have managed to win just one of their 14 matches in Europe (D5 L8) -this is despite scoring in all 14 games. Red Star's eight Europa League matches to date have totalled six goals, with neither themselves nor their opponents ever scoring more than once in a game. Hoffenheim forward Andrej Kramaric has scored in each of his last four matches in European competition (five goals), with his last game coming in December 2018 against Manchester City.
Slovan Liberec vs Gent Europa League Match Preview or Key Statistics 📊
This will be Slovan Liberec's very first meeting with Belgian opposition. KAA Gent haven't played against Czech opposition since progressing past FC ZHn in a UEFA lntertoto Cup tie in 2005. Slovan Liberec have reached the main stages of the Europa League for the first time since 2016-17 when they finished bottom of a group containing Fiorentina, PAOK and Qarabag FK. KAA Gent reached the Last 32 of the Europa League last season before being eliminated 1-2 on aggregate by Roma. Gent striker Laurent Depoitre scored four goals in the group stages of this competition last season, taking only nine shots in the process.
Wolfsberger AC vs CSKA Moscow Europa League Match Preview or Key Statistics 📊
This will be the very first meeting between RZ Pellets WAC and CSKA Moscow. Wolfsberger's first season in major European competition came last season when they finished bottom of a Europa League group containing istanbul Ba~ak~ehir, Roma and Borussia Moncheng I ad bach. CSKA Moscow haven't faced an Austrian side since their 1981-82 UEFA Cup campaign when they shared a win and a loss with SK Sturm Graz. CSKA Moscow finished bottom of a Europa League group containing Espanyol, Ludogorets Razgrad and Ferencvaros last season, winning just once while scoring only three goals. Wolfsberger midfielder Michael Liendl was directly involved in four goals in six Europa League appearances last season, scoring once and assisting three goals.
Dinamo Zagreb vs Feyenoord Europa League Match Preview or Key Statistics 📊
This will be the very first meeting between Dinamo Zagreb and Feyenoord. Dinamo Zagreb are currently winless in six games versus Dutch opposition (D1 LS) since beating NEC Nijmegen in a UEFA Cup tie in 2008. Feyenoord's only previous games against Croatian opponents came in the Europa League group stages in 2014-15, with one win and one defeat against HNK Rijeka. In Dinamo Zagreb's last Europa League campaign (2018-19) they reached the knockout stages for the first time at the fifth attempt, before being beaten by Benfica in the Last 16. Feyenoord finished bottom of a Europa League group containing Porto, Rangers and Young Boys last season, winning just one game. Zagreb attacker Mislav Orsic has scored seven goals in 16 European appearances for the club, including a hat-trick against Atalanta in the Champions League last season.
Tottenham Hotspur vs LASK Europa League Match Preview or Key Statistics 📊
This will be Spurs' very first match against LASK; they have faced Austrian opposition on four previous occasions, beating SV Stockerau twice and FK Austria Wien once (D1 ). Spurs were eliminated by KAA Gent at the Last 32 stage in their most recent Europa League participation (2016-17). They have successfully navigated the group stages with each of their last four attempts since failing in 2011-12. LASK's only previous meeting with English opposition was a 7-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of Man Utd in the Last 16 of this competition last season. LASK finished top of a group containing Sporting CP, PSV Eindhoven and Rosenborg last season, earning 13 points. Spurs striker Harry Kane has scored 28 goals in 50 appearances in major European competition, though he has failed to score in his last four matches in the Europa League.
Ludogorets vs Antwerp Europa League Match Preview or Key Statistics 📊
Ludogorets Razgrad have never previously faced Belgian opposition. Ludogorets have won just two of their last 19 matches in the Europa League (D8 L9), losing home and away versus lnternazionale in the Last 32 last season. Royal Antwerp will play their first game in major European competition since September 1994 vs Newcastle United, when Andrew Cole scored a hat-trick for the Magpies as Antwerp fell to a 5-2 defeat. Antwerp's last match against Bulgarian opposition was a 4-3 win against Levski Sofia in the UEFA Cup in September 1989. Claudiu Keseru is Ludogorets' joint-top scorer in the Europa League with six goals, including four goals in six appearances last season.
Villarreal vs Sivasspor Europa League Match Preview or Key Statistics 📊
This will be the first ever encounter between Villarreal and Sivasspor in major European competition. Villarreal have lost just one of their six matches against Turkish opposition in the UEFA Cup/Europa League (W2 D3), losing their most recent such encounter in the group stages in November 2016 (2-1 against Osmanlispor). This will be Sivasspor's first ever appearance in the Europa League group stages, thanks to a fourth-placed finish in the Turkish Super Lig in 2019-20. Villarreal lost their last two Europa League matches (both legs of the quarter-final in April 2019 vs Valencia) -they will look to avoid losing three straight games in the competition for the first time since February 2018. Villarreal have played 7 4 games in the Europa League since the competition was re-branded in 2009, more than any other team in that time.
Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Qarabag Europa League Match Preview or Key Statistics 📊
This will be the first ever encounter between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Qarabag FK in major European competition. Maccabi Tel Aviv are unbeaten in their two matches against sides from Azerbaijan, progressing from a two-legged Europa League qualifying tie with Xazar Lankaran in July 2011 (W1 D1). This will be Maccabi Tel Aviv's first appearance in the Europa League since 2017-18, where they were eliminated, winning just one of their six group stage games (D1 L4). Qarabag FK are competing in the Europa League for the sixth time in the last seven seasons (missing out in 2017-18), failing to progress out of the group stages on all six occasions. Qarabag FK have lost five of their last seven away games in the Europa League (W2), failing to score in four of those defeats.
Sparta Praha vs Lille Europa League Match Preview or Key Statistics 📊
This will be the first ever encounter in major European competition between Sparta Prague and Lille. Sparta Prague have won just one of their last seven games against French opposition in major European competition (D3 L3), 3-2 against Toulouse in the UEFA Cup in November 2007. Lille have faced Czech opponents on two previous occasions in major European competition, defeating Sparta's Prague rivals, Slavia, home and away in the Europa League in 2009-10 (5-1 and 3-1 ). Sparta Prague have lost just one of their last 13 Europa League home games (W8 D4), keeping seven clean sheets. Lillie are winless in their last eight Europa League games (D5 L3), last tasting victory in the competition back in December 201 O (3-0 against KAA Gent).
Celtic vs AC Milan Europa League Match Preview or Key Statistics 📊
Celtic and AC Milan have met on 10 previous occasions in major European competition, all of which in the European Cup/Champions League. Celtic have won just one of those meetings -a 2-1 victory in October 2007. AC Milan have won each of their last three meetings with Celtic by an aggregate score of 6-0. Celtic have won three of their last four Europa League home games (L 1 ), as many victories as they managed in their previous 10 such matches at Celtic Park (D2 LS). AC Milan have won just one of their last four Europa League encounters (5-2 against F91 Dudelange in November 2018), conceding two or more goals in three of those fixtures. AC Milan's Hakan c;alhanoglu has been directly involved in 10 goals (5 goals, 5 assists) in his last seven Europa League games (including qualifiers).
Sporting Braga vs AEK Athens Europa League Match Preview or Key Statistics 📊
This will be the third meeting between Sporting Braga and AEK Athens, with the Portuguese side winning both encounters during the 1966-67 Cup Winners' Cup. Sport Braga remain unbeaten against Greek opponents in European competition (P3 W2 D1 ), with this their first meeting against such opposition since drawing 1 -1 with Aris during the 2007-08 UEFA Cup group stages. AEK Athens have lost six of their eight meetings with Portuguese opponents in European competition (W2), with their last such victory coming against Benfica in the 2009-10 Europa League group stages. Sporting Braga have lost just one of their last nine group stage matches in the Europa League (WS D3) and remain unbeaten since a 2-1 defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir in December 2017 (P6 W4 D2 since). AEK Athens have drawn each of their last seven Europa League games, with four of those matches ending goalless (all in 2017-18) -the longest such run in UEFA Cup/Europa league history.
Leicester City vs Zorya Europa League Match Preview or Key Statistics 📊
This will be the first competitive meeting between Leicester and Zorya Luhansk. Leicester will be facing Ukrainian opposition for the first time in Europe, whilst no English team has ever lost to a side from Ukraine on home soil (P32 W25 D7). Leicester will become just the second English side Zorya Luhansk have faced in European competition having lost home (0-2) and away (0-1) to Manchester United during the 2016-17 Europa League group stages. Leicester remain winless in the UEFA Cup/Europa League (P4 D1 L3), though this is their first appearance in the competition since 2000-01 -the Foxes are one of 77 sides to have played 4+ games in the competition without ever winning. Zorya Luhansk have lost five of their six away Europa League games (W1), failing to score in each of those defeats.
Napoli vs AZ Alkmaar Europa League Match Preview or Key Statistics 📊
This will be the first competitive meeting between Napoli and AZ Alkmaar. Napoli have won just one of their last seven encounters against Dutch opposition in European competition (D2 L4), beating Feyenoord 3-1 during the 2017-18 Champions League group stages. AZ have lost each of their previous two away matches in Europe against Italian opposition, losing to lnternazionale in November 1982 and Udinese in March 2012. Napoli have won each of their last seven group stage matches in the Europa League and remain unbeaten since a 2-0 defeat to Swiss side BSC Young Boys back in October 2014 (P9 W8 D1 since). Since the competition's rebranding (2009-10), AZ have won just five of their 26 away Europa League games (D10 L11), at a win rate of just 19% -the lowest ratio of any side to have played at least 26 games in the competition during this period.
Rijeka vs Real Sociedad Europa League Match Preview or Key Statistics 📊
This will be the first competitive meeting between HNK Rijeka and Real Sociedad. HNK Rijeka remain winless in their last seven games in European competition against Spanish opposition (D4 L3), since beating Real Madrid 3-1 in the 1984-85 UEFA Cup. This will be Real Sociedad's first encounter against Croatian opposition in European competition. The last meeting between a Spanish and Croatian side in Europe saw Sevilla beat Dinamo Zagreb 4-0 in the 2016-17 Champions League group stages. HNK Rijeka beat Kolos Kovalivka and FC K0benhavn is their final two Europa League qualifiers without conceding a single goal -they last won three consecutive matches in European competition in August 2014 (a run of six). Real Sociedad have won four of their last six group games in the Europa League (L2), keeping a clean sheet in all four of those victories (all in 2017-18).
PSV vs Granada Europa League Match Preview or Key Statistics 📊
Granada will be PSV's seventh different Spanish opponent -PSV have only won four of their previous 30 games against Spanish sides in major European competition (D12 L 14). This is Granada's very first season in European competition; they are the 27th different Spanish side to play in either the European Cup/Champions League or UEFA Cup/Europa League. PSV have failed to reach the knockout stages in three of their last four Europa League campaigns, including last season when they finished third in their group behind LASK and Sporting CP. PSV were unbeaten in their first 17 home games (W10 D7) in the Europa League, but have since lost five of the following 11 such games (W3 D3). PSV attacker Eran Zahavi has scored six goals in his last eight home games in major European competition, all with Maccabi Tel Aviv between 201 0 and 2015.
Standard Liege vs Rangers Europa League Match Preview or Key Statistics 📊
These sides have met in Europe in one previous campaign, with Standard Liege eliminating Rangers in the European Cup quarter-finals in 1961-62. Rangers' last game in Belgium was a 1-1 draw with Club Brugge in the group stages of the 1992-93 Champions League. Standard Liege have failed to successfully navigate the Europa League group stages with each of their last five attempts since reaching the Last 16 in 2011-12. Rangers reached the Last 16 of the Europa League last season before Bayer Leverkusen eliminated them -it was the furthest they had gotten in the competition since 2010-11 (also Last 16). Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos has scored eight goals in 14 games for the club in the Europa League, although he has failed to score in his last three.
Lech Poznan vs Benfica Europa League Match Preview or Key Statistics 📊
Lech Poznan and Benfica will face off for the first time. Lech Poznan have failed to score in each of their last three games against Portuguese opposition (D2 L1). All four of Benfica's previous games against Polish sides came in the Cup Winners' Cup; they beat and drew with GKS Katowice in 1993-94 and beat and drew with Ruch Chorz6w in 1996-97. Lech Poznan have reached the main stages of the Europa League for the first time since 2015-16, when they came third in Group 'I' behind Basel and Fiorentina. Benfica are entering the Europa League at the group stage phase for the first time since 2009-10, when they won their group -each of their last 40 games in the competition have come during the knockout stages. Benfica talisman Pizzi has scored in each of his last four games in major European competition (4 goals).
Hapoel Be'er Sheva vs Slavia Prague Europa League Match Preview or Key Statistics 📊
Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Slavia Prague have never previously faced off. Hapoel have lost all four of their matches against Czech opposition in the Europa League (excluding qualifiers). Slavia Prague's only previous meeting with Israeli opposition came in the 2017-18 Europa League when they beat Maccabi Tel Aviv twice in the group stages. Hapoel's last Europa League campaign was in 2017-18 when they finished bottom of a group containing Viktoria Plzen, FCSB and Lugano. Slavia Prague's last Europa League campaign -2018-19 -saw them reach the quarter-final stage before being eliminated by eventual champions Chelsea. Hapoel have lost four of their last five Europa League matches (D1), failing to score in each of the last two.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Nice Europa League Match Preview or Key Statistics 📊
Bayer Leverkusen have faced six different French opponents in European competition; however, this will be their first meeting with Nice. Nice have failed to win any of their last five matches against German opposition in European competition (D1 L4), failing to score in each of those matches. Leverkusen entered the Europa League last season after being eliminated from the Champions League at the group stages -they were ultimately defeated by lnternazionale in the quarter-final. Nice have lost each of their last three Europa League away games 0-1, versus Lazio, Vitesse and Lokomotiv Moscow, all in 2017-18. Bayer Leverkusen scored 15 goals in European competition last season, with 40% of them being scored or assisted by the departed Kai Havertz (6 -4 goals & 2 assists).
Rapid Wien vs Arsenal Europa League Match Preview or Key Statistics 📊
This will be the first meeting between Rapid Vienna and Arsenal; Rapid Vienna won their last match against English opponents beating Aston Villa 3-2 at Villa Park in a Europa League qualifying match in 2010-11. Arsenal's last Austrian opponents were Austria Wien in the 1991-92 European Cup -they beat them 6-1 at home before losing 0-1 in Austria. This is Rapid Vienna's eighth Europa League campaign, reaching the knockout stages on two occasions previously-2015-16 and 2018-19. This is Arsenal's fourth consecutive season in the Europa League, reaching the semi-final in 2017-18, the final in 2018-19 and the Last 32 in 2019-20. Bukayo Saka was directly involved in more goals in the Europa League last season than any other Arsenal player, registering two goals and five assists in six appearances.
Dundalk vs Molde Europa League Match Preview or Key Statistics 📊
This will be the very first meeting between Dundalk and Molde. Dundalk's last Norwegian opponents were Rosenborg in Champions League qualifying in 2017-18, drawing at home and losing away. Molde's only previous meeting with a side from the Republic of Ireland saw them defeat Sligo Rovers home and away in Champions League qualifying in 2013-14. Dundalk last played in the main stages of the Europa League in 2016-17, f1 nishing bottom of a group containing Zenit, AZ and Maccabi Tel Aviv; they won one game, beating Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-0 at home. Molde's last Europa League campaign came in 2015-16 when they were eliminated at the Last 32 stage by eventual winners Sevilla. Sean Murray registered two goals and an assist in Dundalk's three Europa League qualifying matches this campaign.
CSKA Sofia vs CFR Cluj Europa League Match Preview or Key Statistics 📊
This will be the very first meeting CSKA Sofia and CFR Cluj. CSKA Sofia are winless in seven matches against Romanian opposition since beating Dinamo Bucure~ti 8-1 in 1956 in a European Cup match. CSKA Sofia have reached the Europa League group stages for the first time since 2010-11, when they lost five of their six matches and f1 nished bottom of their group. CFR Cluj reached the Last 32 of the Europa League last season, being eliminated on away goals by eventual winners Sevilla. CSKA Sofia's Graham Carey, who joined the club from Plymouth Argyle in 2019, has one previous Europa League appearance to his name -for Celtic vs SK Rapid Wien in December 2009. Should he play vs Cluj, his two games in the competition will be 10 years and 310 days apart (3962 days).
BSC Young Boys vs Roma Europa League Match Preview or Key Statistics 📊
This will be the first meeting between BSC Young Boys and Roma. Young Boys have won four of their six matches against Italian sides, as well as all three such games held in Switzerland, the last of which being a 2-1 victory over Juventus in the Champions League in 2018-19. Young Boys have failed to reach the Europa League knockout stages in each of their last three participations. They finished third in their group last season despite scoring in each game. Roma have been eliminated at the Last 16 stage in each of their last three participations in the Europa League, falling to eventual winners Sevilla last season. Roma striker Edin Dzeko has scored 11 goals in 16 Europa League appearances for the club, including eight goals in 10 group stage matches.
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