Soccer: Man Utd head the midweek European action

The all-new league phase of the UEFA Europa League takes centre stage in Europe this midweek, with nine games taking place on both Thursday and Friday.

Ajax, FC Porto and Rangers are among the big names in action, while Manchester United open their bid for glory at home to Dutch side FC Twente in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Red Devils looking to find their rhythm

United have not started the new season convincingly, with head coach Erik ten Hag still trying to find a trusted formula for success.

Back-to-back Premier League losses to Brighton and Liverpool made things tricky for Ten Hag, while a 3-0 win at lowly Southampton and a goalless draw at Crystal Palace were also far from convincing.

Ten Hag will hope a European date with his compatriots helps to win over some of the Old Trafford faithful, although Twente arrive in decent form, as they currently stand in fourth place in the Eredivisie.

These two sides have never previously met in a competitive fixture and United are 1.30 hot fancies to claim the victory in Manchester, while they are 6.00 to go all the way and win the UEFA Europa League for the second time.

Real aim to keep pressure on Barca

An almost full round of fixtures in La Liga takes place across the week, with Real Madrid playing host to Alaves on Wednesday, before Barcelona bid to make it seven out of seven when they welcome in Getafe a day later.

The pick of three games on Friday sees Atletico Madrid face a tricky trip to Celta Vigo, while third-placed Athletic Bilbao are in UEFA Europa League action on the same evening.

The Basque outfit come up against Italian outfit Roma, who may give a first start for the club to Aussie goalkeeper Mat Ryan, who has had to play second fiddle to Mate Svilar so far this season.

Back in La Liga, Real are already under pressure in their title defence due to Barca having taken 18 points from 18 to lie four ahead of their great rivals.

However, there is not too much wrong at the Bernabeu, with Real having won their last four games in all competitions, scoring eight and conceding just one, with massive summer signing Kylian Mbappe having netted five times across those four victories.

Real have won their last five meetings with Alaves, scoring 17 goals along the way and France superstar Mbappe is 1.72 to score at anytime on Wednesday.

On Thursday the focus shifts to Barcelona, as they are at home to a Getafe side who have not scored in the last five meetings of the two teams, but who have earned three goalless draws during that time.

Barca look to be rejuvenated under new head coach Hansi Flick and they are 4.00 to land a win by a single-goal margin.

Friday’s focus is at the Balaidos as Celta Vigo aim to inflict a first defeat of the season on Atleti, who are unbeaten in the last 11 meetings of the two teams and who are 1.95 to take all three points in Galicia.

Torino hope to maintain momentum

The second round of the Coppa Italia takes place this week and the main tie of interest comes on Wednesday as surprise Serie A leaders Torino are at home to Empoli.

The Maroons are still a 101.00 chance to win Lo Scudetto this season, having gone unbeaten across six games in all competitions, with former Southampton striker Che Adams having scored crucial goals against both Atalanta and Hellas Verona.

Torino last lifted the Coppa Italia back in 1993, but may fancy their chances of going far after such a positive start to the campaign.

bet365 News Team

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