Ajax and Galatasaray both currently sit in the play-off places heading into the final matchday of the Europa League league phase. Galatasaray can still qualify for the knockout stages via the automatic positions with Okan Buruk’s side sitting just 1 point and 1 place below FCSB who occupy the final automatic promotion position but face a tough task in their last game of the league phase against Manchester United.

Despite Ajax being unable to qualify for the knockout stages through the automatic positions, they’ll still have to be competitive in this game as the Dutch side still have to keep an eye on teams behind them with just 3 points separating Ajax in 16th and Braga in 27th.

Galatasaray have seen 32 goals across their 7 games in Europe this season (4.57 per game), BTTS has landed in all 7 of their games in the Europa League. Ajax have seen 20 goals across their 7 games in the competition (2.85 per game) with BTTS landing in 2 of their last 5 games in all competitions. The permutations for both of these sides should result in an entertaining game with 1 goal unlikely to be enough for either side to collect all 3 points in this encounter.

Athletic Bilbao have all but qualified for the knockout rounds without having to play a two legged pla-yoff, Ernesto Valverde’s side sit 3rd in the table having won 5 of their 7 games so far.

An uncharacteristic 4-1 defeat to Besiktas last time out just puts a small bit of doubt into their chances of reaching the knockout stages automatically with Galatasaray and Bodo/Glimt still within touching distance, 3 points behind and with comparable goal difference. It’s also worth mentioning that the league finish of a side will directly impact who they face in the knockout stages so it’s in every side’s best interest to finish as high as they can in the table to receive a kinder draw in the last 16.

Athletic Bilbao face a Plzen side who have punched above their weight in Europe this season, the Czech Republic side currently sit 11th in the table and can still qualify for the knockout stages automatically if results go their way. They are yet to lose a game on the road in Europe this campaign but could face an uphill battle against a Athletic Bilbao side who have won all 3 of their games at home this season, scoring 6 without reply across these fixtures.

Plzen will set up to be compact and difficult to beat, they know a draw would be more than enough for them to qualify for the next round, and even a slender defeat should be enough to see them qualify for the play-offs where they should get a kind draw considering their current position in the table heading into this last round of matches. Athletic Bilbao have been reliable more often than not in Europe this season and should be able to see out a successful league phase at home where they’ve been dominant in their performances.

An intriguing matchup towards the lower reaches of the Europa League table sees Porto travel to Tel Aviv knowing that only 3 points would give them a realistic chance of making the play-offs.

Jose Tavares’ side have struggled since the departure of head coach Sergio Conceicao as evidenced by the fact they’re without a win in their last 5 games in all competitions.

They face a Maccabi Tel Aviv side who have an outside chance of qualifying for the play-offs and would need a massive swing in goal difference, both situations should create the perfect melting pot for goals in this one.

It’s hard to back Porto for a win given their current win but their games in Europe are usually entertaining, they’ve seen 23 goals across their 7 games in the competition (3.28 per game). This record should be amplified by the fact that Maccabi Tel Aviv have seen 24 goals across their 7 games in the competition (3.42 per game). Porto have seen over 2.5 goals in 4 of the 7 games in the competition this season whilst Maccabi Tel Aviv have seen over 2.5 goals in 6 of their 7 games in the Europe League this term.

Maccabi Tel Aviv don’t really have the defensive pedigree to keep a Porto side that have to win at bay, that being said – Porto haven’t looked too convincing themselves in recent weeks and you wouldn’t back them to keep a clean sheet on the road considering they are yet to register a win away from home in Europe this season.

Rangers’ last minute defeat to Manchester United in the Europa League last time out leaves Phillipe Clement’ side 13th in the Europa League table, 3 points off an automatic promotion place that would take Rangers through to the knockout rounds directly instead of having to contend with a two legged play-off.

They face a Union St Gilloise side who have had a similar campaign to the Scottish giants up until this point with 11 points collected from their 7 games and the exact same record (3 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses).

It’s clear there isn’t much to separate the sides which is why siding with Rangers as the home side but also considering the draw seems a sensible play.

Rangers have only lost 1 game at the Ibrox this season across the Scottish Premiership and the Europa League, that was against Lyon in the Europa League, who currently sit 5th in the table. USG have lost 2 of their 3 away games in Europe this season with their 1 victory on the road coming in the form of a narrow 1-0 win over FC Twente who currently sit 26th in the table. USG have struggled to score goals in their away games with only 2 goals scored in their 3 away trips.

Rangers have only lost 1 game in their last 9 games across all competitions, against Manchester United at Old Trafford where they were competitive throughout the game and only lost thanks to a late winner from Bruno Fernandes after equalising themselves late on.

Rangers can dictate proceedings as the home side, USG are yet to fully convince on the road in Europe – particularly in front of goal.