Europa League and Conference League: Brighton face Ajax while Liverpool, West Ham and Rangers are all in action

The Europa League and Europa Conference League are back on Thursday, and we have taken a look ahead to five matches taking place across the continent.

AZ Alkmaar vs Aston Villa

 5.45pm, TNT Sports 2

AZ are going strong in the Eredivisie, with just two points separating them from top spot after nine rounds of fixtures. This will not be an easy game for Aston Villa, who needed a last-gasp John McGinn strike to see off Zrinjski Mostar on matchday two.

Villa have been more convincing in the Premier League than the Europa Conference League so far this term, as Unai Emery seeks the right balance between domestic and continental commitments. Do not be surprised if the scores finish level here.

Tip: Draw at 3.5

Olympiacos vs West Ham United

5.45pm, TNT Sports 1

West Ham will be looking to put Sunday’s 4-1 loss to Aston Villa behind them when they travel to Greece on Thursday. David Moyes will demand a more disciplined defensive display from his players against Olympiacos, who are currently top of the Greek league after an unbeaten start.

West Ham have six points from six in Group A, so a draw in this game would not be a bad result. We anticipate a low-scoring affair at the Karaiskakis Stadium.

Tip: Under 2.5 goals at 2.14

Sparta Prague vs Rangers

5.45pm, TNT Sports 3

Philippe Clement oversaw a 4-0 victory over Hibernian at the weekend in his first game as Rangers manager. The Frenchman will now turn his attention to Thursday’s meeting with Sparta Prague.

All four teams in Group C have three points to their name, so the winner of this game will end matchday three in the top two. Sparta’s two encounters to date have featured eight goals, so this promises to be an entertaining encounter.

Tip: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at 2.02

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Ajax

8pm, TNT Sports 2

Do not rub your eyes: Ajax are in the Eredivisie relegation zone. After four consecutive defeats, the Amsterdam giants have sunk to second-bottom in the standings, leaving the manager Maurice Steijn under huge pressure.

They have fared slightly better in the Europa League, drawing with both Marseille and AEK Athens. They should be able to breach Brighton’s backline here, but the Seagulls will fancy their chances of compounding Ajax’s misery.

Tip: Brighton to win and both teams to score at 2.58

Liverpool vs Toulouse

8pm, TNT Sports 1

Liverpool had to remain patient against 10-man Everton at the weekend, but a Mohamed Salah double saw them register a 2-0 victory in the Merseyside derby.

In their sixth home game of the campaign, it was only the second time Jurgen Klopp’s side had failed to score three goals. Tip Liverpool to get back on track in that regard when Toulouse visit Anfield on Thursday.

Tip: Liverpool over 2.5 goals at 1.76

Recommended bets

AZ Alkmaar vs Aston Villa: Draw at 3.5
Olympiacos vs West Ham United: Under 2.5 goals at 2.14
Sparta Prague vs Rangers: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at 2.02
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Ajax: Brighton to win ad both teams to score at 2.58
Liverpool vs Toulouse: Liverpool over 2.5 goals at 1.76