Europa League League fixtures today

Europa League League fixtures today

It may only be the UEFA Champions League’s baby brother, but there is still plenty to look forward to during the first round of Europa League fixtures this Thursday.

It’s a particularly exciting year for the British clubs in the competition: Liverpool are searching for one of the few trophies they haven’t won under Jurgen Klopp, Brighton & Hove Albion are embarking on their maiden European campaign, West Ham United are fresh from Europa Conference League glory and Rangers are looking to go a step further than they did two seasons ago when they reached the final.

It may all end in Dublin next May, but it properly begins here in the group stages. Here is your guide to Thursday’s opening round matches.

Liverpool are unbeaten this season / Naomi Baker/GettyImages

The Reds’ first European final under Klopp came in this competition back in 2016. Liverpool fell to a 3-1 defeat against Europa League kings Sevilla, but they will feel confident of getting their hands on the trophy this time round.

A fairly simplistic group begins with a scenic trip to Austria to face LASK – a side Liverpool have never faced before. Klopp is likely to rotate from Saturday’s 3-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League, but even a second-string Liverpool side should be strong enough to dispatch of last season’s third-best team in Austria.

The Reds’ first Europa League game in over seven years should finish with a comfortable victory.

Country

TV channel / live stream

United Kingdom

TNT Sports 1, discovery+, discovery+ App

United States

Paramount+, fuboT, TUDN USA, TUDN.com, TUDN App, UniMas, Univision NOW, ViX

Canada

DAZN

Bowen was last season’s European hero / Justin Setterfield/GettyImages

For those who disparage the lesser European competitions, West Ham’s Europa Conference League triumph last season is the perfect example of why they still matter so much. The Hammers’ success was not only an unbelievable achievement in itself, it offered them a passport into the Europa League this year.

Their campaign begins with a seemingly straightforward tie against Backa Topola, who finished second in the Serbian top division last season. They are currently leading the SuperLiga this year after seven matches and could pose the Irons some issues on Thursday evening.

However, West Ham have also made a strong start to the campaign, even competing admirably against Manchester City in a 3-1 defeat last weekend. Regardless of Backa Topola’s form, this should be three points in the bag for the Hammers.

Country

TV channel / live stream

United Kingdom

TNT Sports 2, discovery+, discovery+ App

United States

Paramount+, ViX, CBS Sports Golazo

Canada

DAZN

De Zerbi will be hopeful of a strong start in a tough group / Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages

On paper, this should be Brighton‘s easiest game of a difficult group in their first European campaign. It’s essential that Roberto De Zerbi’s side get off to a winning start against AEK Athens, especially given Ajax and Marseille are their other group opponents.

In all honesty, the Seagulls should swat their Greek foes aside with relative ease and will be buoyed by their terrific start to the campaign. Brighton’s 3-1 away win over Manchester United at the weekend was perhaps the crowning glory in what has been a wonderful opening few weeks of the new season.

Country

TV channel / live stream

United Kingdom

TNT Sports 1, discovery+, discovery+ App

United States

Paramount+, fuboTV, TUDN USA, TUDN.com, TUDN App, ViX

Canada

DAZN

Rangers have a good recent record in the Europa League / Richard Callis/MB Media/GettyImages

Having suffered miserably in the Champions League group stage last season, Rangers will take residence in the Europa League again this year.

The Gers’ last match in this competition was in fact the final in 2022, a game that still feels like a missed opportunity at Ibrox. Rangers lost 5-4 on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt after 120 minutes of battle, with Aaron Ramsey missing the crucial spot kick.

The chance to enjoy another deep Europa League run is there for Michael Beale’s side, but they will face stiff competition from Real Betis this Thursday in their group opener. Rangers have shown they can be competitive against some top European sides in the past and will want to take advantage of the Spanish outfit’s heavy 5-0 loss to Barcelona at the weekend.

Country

TV channel / live stream

United Kingdom

TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports Ultimate, discovery+, discovery+ App

United States

Paramount+, ViX

Canada

DAZN

Date / time (BST)

Group

Fixture

21/09/23 – 20:00

A

Olympiacos vs Freiburg

21/09/23 – 20:00

A

West Ham vs Backa Topola

21/09/23 – 20:00

B

Ajax vs Marseille

21/09/23 – 20:00

B

Brighton vs AEK Athens

21/09/23 – 20:00

C

Rangers vs Real Betis

21/09/23 – 20:00

C

Sparta Prague vs Aris Limassol

21/09/23 – 20:00

D

Atalanta vs Rakow Czestochowa

21/09/23 – 20:00

D

Strum Graz vs Sporting CP

21/09/23 – 17:45

E

LASK vs Liverpool

21/09/23 – 17:45

E

Union St. Gilloise vs Toulouse

21/09/23 – 17:45

F

Panathinaikos vs Villarreal

21/09/23 – 17:45

F

Rennes vs Maccabi Haifa

21/09/23 – 17:45

G

FC Sheriff vs Roma

21/09/23 – 17:45

G

Servette vs Slavia Prague

21/09/23 – 17:45

H

Bayer Leverkusen vs BK Hacken

21/09/23 – 17:45

H

Qarabag vs Molde

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