The 2023/2024 Europa League competition will kick-off after the international break in September with eight matches including LASK vs Liverpool and Rennes vs Maccabi Haifa.
Last season's Europa League cup was won by Sevilla, who dropped from the Champions League group stage and won against some interesting teams including against Manchester United.
They automatically qualified for the Champions League as a result, leaving the likes of Liverpool, Rennes and Brighton as the favourites to win this year's competition. But Sevilla returning to the competition in the latter stage hasn't been ruled out though.
Group Stage First Round Europa League Predictions - September 2023
We have made predictions on each of the Group Stage first round fixtures in the Europa League.
Prediction on Rennes vs Maccabi Haifa
For the Rennes vs Maccabi Haifa prediction, we say Rennes will win and this is why. The French outfits are unbeaten this season so far and if they replicate their last season form in this clash, they will blow away Maccabi Haifa, who have also recorded some fine wins this term already.
Prediction: Rennes 2-1 Maccabi Haifa
Prediction on Bayer Leverkusen vs Hacken
For the Bayern Leverkusen vs Hacken prediction, we say Bayern Leverkusen will win and this is why. Bayer have won their last four matches including last month's 3-0 win at Borussia Monchengladbach while Hacken have endured a rollercoaster of results with three wins in their last five games.
Prediction: Bayern Leverkusen 3-1 Hacken
Prediction on LASK vs Liverpool
For the LASK vs Liverpool prediction, we say Liverpool will win and this is why. Jurgen Klopp's Reds are unbeaten this season [3W1D] and coming up against LASK, whose team contains barely half the quality at Klopp's disposal, looks like a lightwork for the English side.
Prediction: LASK 0-4 Liverpool
Prediction on Panathinaikos vs Villarreal
For the Panathinaikos vs Villarreal prediction, we say draw and this is why. Panathinaikos don't score many goals and don't let many enter either and because Villarreal are going through a rough start in LaLiga, they will rather settle for a draw in Greece than let their poor LaLiga form affect their European campaign.
Prediction: Panathinaikos 1-1 Villarreal
Prediction on Qarabag vs Molde
For the Qarabag vs Molde prediction, we say draw and this is why. Both teams are evenly matched but because Qarabag plays at home, there's a huge chance they finish the game without a defeat against Molde, who lost their last two away European matches.
Prediction: Qarabag 2-2 Molde
Prediction on Servette vs Slavia Prague
For the Servette vs Slavia Prague prediction, we say Slavia Prague will win and this is why. Servette have started the season dreadfully, having won just one of their last five matches and there's a chance their horrid form will continue against the Slavia, who lost just once in their last six games.
Prediction: Servette 1-2 Slavia Prague
Sheriff Tiraspol vs AS Roma
For the Sheriff Tiraspol vs AS Roma prediction, we say draw and this is why. Sheriff Tiraspol may be the underdogs in this game but they are likely to deny Roma all three points as they have won their last four home European matches while Jose Mourinho's side are struggling on the road. Many wouldn't be surprised if the Serie A side lost in Moldova.
Prediction: Sheriff Tiraspol 1-1 AS Roma
Prediction on Union Saint Gilloise vs Toulouse
Union St Gilloise are tougher at home and because Toulouse have only won one of their last four matches, we have backed the Belgians to get a tight win over the Ligue 1 visitors.
Prediction: Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Toulouse
Prediction on Ajax vs Marseille
Since the departure of their key players across two summers, Ajax have been a shadow of themselves, hence we expect the Ligue 1 visitors Marseille, who are unbeaten in their last five games, to get a big win in the Netherlands.
Prediction: Ajax 1-3 Marseille
Prediction on Atalanta vs Rakow Czestochowa
Rakow could have been in the Champions League this season but they lost in qualification round to Copenhagen. They are a good defensive side but expecting them to get a win in Italy against Atalanta, who have won two of their opening three matches, looks like a stretch.
Prediction: Atalanta 2-1 Marseille
Prediction on Brighton & Hove Albion vs AEK Athens
Although Brighton are ruthless at home, they won't find it relatively easy to blow AEK Athens away. However, Brighton's fans will be behind them at the Amex Stadium, hence we expect De Zerbi's side to start their European campaign with a win.
Prediction: Brighton 3-1 AEK Athens
Prediction on Olympiakos vs Freiburg
This game is tight, thanks to their solid backlines. However, Freiburg look like the better team but they are unlikely to return to Germany with all three points.
Prediction: Olympiakos 1-1 Freiburg
Prediction on Rangers vs Real Betis
Both teams will want to make a statement but the Spanish side looks like the stronger side. Rangers wouldn't want to start their European campaign with a defeat, given they are playing at home, hence making this game a good candidate for draw.
Prediction: Rangers 1-1 Real Betis
Prediction on Sparta Prague vs Aris Limassol
Sparta Prague are the favourites to win the game against Aris Limassol for an obvious reason. They are the stronger side and bookmakers believe they can start their European competition with a win.
Prediction: Sparta Prague 2-0 Aris Limassol
Prediction Sturm Graz vs Sporting Lisbon
Sporting Lisbon are the favourites but will not find it relatively easy to get all three points in Austria because Sturm Graz have been impressive in their domestic competition this season.
Prediction: Sturm Graz 1-2 Sporting Lisbon
Prediction on West Ham vs Backa Topola
No disrespect on Backa Topola but they are a lightweight work for West Ham United, who are the Conference League champions.
Prediction: West Ham 4-0 Backa Topola