Europa League: Matchday One Tips & Predictions

English teams extended their good run in Europe recently as West Ham won the Europa Conference League last season and Aston Villa will be hoping to repeat the trick in the competition this time around.

However, Premier League teams have been victorious in the Europa League just once in the last six campaigns and the Hammers, Brighton and Liverpool will be aiming to change that this season.

Here we pick out the best bets for English teams in Thursday’s Europa League and Europa Conference League matches.

Tip 1 - Luis Diaz to score for Liverpool v LASK @ 29/20

Liverpool have typically been operating in the Champions League but drop down a level to the Europa League after a disappointing domestic campaign last season.

The Reds open their campaign with a visit to Linz side LASK and should be able to secure a comfortable success.

Luis Diaz came off the bench at the weekend against Wolves and has already netted twice this season.

The Colombian is likely to start on the left side of the forward line and could be the one to cause the hosts plenty of issues, take Diaz to score.

Tip 2 - Brighton to win & both teams to score @ 9/5

Brighton’s first European game in their history sees them host AEK Athens in the Europa League.

The Seagulls have been one of the strongest teams in the Premier League this season, winning four of their five games and netting 15 times in the process, more than any other team in the top flight.

They should be able to carry over that form into this clash and are fancied to register a comfortable success over their Greek opponents.

AEK were beaten 3-1 on aggregate by Antwerp in Champions League qualifying and this represents a significant step up on those Belgian opponents.

However, Brighton occasionally leave themselves open at the back and take on a side that have seen both teams find the net in three of their four European games this season.

Back both teams to score in a home win as the Seagulls announce themselves on the European stage.

Tip 3 - Aston Villa to win & both teams to score @ 11/5

Both teams have found the net in seven of Legia Warsaw’s last eight games and the same is fancied when Aston Villa visit the Polish capital in the Europa Conference League.

The Villans will be boosted by manager Unai Emery’s rock-solid record in European football - he has won the Europa League four times.

However, the visitors have significant injury issues at the back with Diego Carlos and Tyrone Mings both expected to miss out.

They could be vulnerable in defence as a result and both teams can find the net in this clash.

Villa’s quality should ultimately tell, though, and they should be able to return with three points.

Europa League Matchday One Predictions