Sparta Prague travel to Armenia on Wednesday night following successive victories to nil. It has been a bit of a shaky start to the season for the Czech Republic side, with three wins and two losses from their opening five league matches, but this looks like a favourable matchup for them to kick off their Europa League campaign on the right foot. 

Sparta faced Ararat in the Conference League qualifiers last season, and they won both legs. It finished 4-1 in Prague, before Sparta came away with another 2-1 win in Armenia. Ararat also received a red card in that match late-on, which shows how Sparta were able to really frustrate them.

Sunderland suffered a 2-0 defeat against Arsenal on Saturday, but Regis Le Bris’ men gave an excellent account of themselves against the champions, and were unfortunate to leave the Stadium of Light empty-handed.

They managed 12 shots, which was more than Arsenal,  worth 1.8 xG, including a missed penalty. The Black Cats will now turn their attention to the Europa League midweek, which will be just their second ever time competing in a European competition. 

It’s not an easy matchup for them here against AZ Alkmaar - a side who have started the campaign in excellent form, unbeaten in seven across all competitions. They have looked strong in the final third, and their front-footed tactics means goals are usually a target when AZ are playing.

Bayer Leverkusen have been another inconsistent team so far, with one win, one drawn and one loss from their first three Bundesliga games, but the common theme has been goals.

In fact, they have scored at least twice in each of those games. They are not short of talent in the final third, especially with Patrik Schick fit and available again, but Leverkusen’s defensive structure has let them down at times. 

However, this looks like an excellent matchup for Leverkusen to dominate. There is a massive gulf in quality between them and Celje, and the Slovenian side have lost three of their opening four league matches. They are short of confidence at the moment, which Leverkusen will hope to exploit.

Sturm Graz come into this midweek clash after handing LASK their first loss of the season - that game finished 2-1 at the weekend.

Despite a stuttering start to the campaign, that was a massive result for Sturm Graz, and they should be full of confidence here. They are priced as pre-match underdogs, but the Austrian side will fancy their chances of at least finding the back of the net on home turf - they have managed that in all five matches this season so far. 

Rennes have been excellent this season, boasting the record of three wins and one draw from their opening four Ligue matches. The only draw came against PSG, as that game finished 2-2. Rennes have scored eight goals in their opening four games, but they have also conceded five.