We have 16 fixtures on the final matchday of the UEFA Europa League this Thursday. The eight group winners will automatically qualify for the round of 32. The teams that finish second in each group will be drawn against the eight teams that have moved from the Champions League by finishing third in their groups. There is also the incentive of a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League for those teams that end the group stage in third place. That means there are plenty of issues to consider when we put forward our three UEFA Europa League picks.
Napoli vs Leicester
| Bet | Odds |
| Napoli to win | +110 |
| Draw | +300 |
| Leicester to win | +235 |
There is literally all to play for in Group C with just two points separating the top team and the team in last place. After five fixtures, any one of the four sides could finish in any of the four places. That means potentially each team may be playing in one of the three European competitions next season. We are backing the strength of the English Premier League by tipping Leicester to beat Napoli.
Leicester led 2-0 in the reverse fixture at their stadium in September. However, Napoli responded with two goals and then Leicester had a player sent-off towards the end of the match. However, the overall balance of play suggested Leicester were the better team. The Foxes can confirm that impression by beating Napoli this week and win the group.
Europa League Pick – Leicester to beat Napoli
West Ham vs Dynamo Zagreb
| Bet | Odds |
| West Ham to win | -105 |
| Draw | +270 |
| Zagreb to win | +270 |
We continue with the English Premier League theme by giving a strong pick for West Ham to beat Dynamo Zagreb at the London Stadium. The hosts are becoming genuine contenders to end the season in the top four and qualify for the Champions League. That is a big ask against the wealthy and established clubs in England and winning the Europa League is an alternative route.
The dynamic of Group H is that West Ham cannot be overhauled at the top while Zagreb must avoid defeat to virtually guarantee second place. There could be suspicions of players subconsciously reacting to that scenario but West Ham will probably want to maintain the momentum of the season. That means we envisage a home win at the former London 2012 Olympic Stadium.
Europa League Pick – West Ham to beat Dynamo Zagreb
Lyon vs Rangers
| Bet | Odds |
| Lyon to win | -115 |
| Draw | +290 |
| Rangers to win | +275 |
Rangers did us a favour in the last round of matches by beating Sparta Prague in a key fixture. The Scottish champions can again justify the pick for their fixture in Lyon be securing a draw. Both clubs have qualified for the last 32 so there is little on the match but pride. In this case the lack of urgency can produce the stalemate that keeps everyone happy.
This fixture brings together a home team with a perfect record in the Europa League to date and a club flourishing under a new manager. Lyon have won all five group fixtures while Rangers have won four times in four games since Giovanni van Bronckhorst was appointed. The positive vibes within both clubs can be maintained by avoiding defeat and a sage passage to the next round.
Europa League Pick – Lyon and Rangers to draw
