"Rapid have seen BTTS in four of their last five matches across all competitions, with the exception being their 2-0 defeat to LASK last time out, a game where they should have made more of the chances that fell their way, with 11 shots and an xG of 1.39 generated.

This recent defeat extends Rapid’s run to four consecutive losses across all competitions. They saw BTTS in their opening game of the Conference League as they fell to a 4-1 defeat against Lech Poznan, which was a game that the Polish side dominated, as shown by the xG split (2.85-0.66) and the shot on target count (9-2).

Rapid will be hoping for more control in this European clash as the home side. Their five home matches have produced 12 goals (6-6) in the Austrian Bundesliga so far this term, winning two of those. Their inability to kill games off will give Fiorentina chances to find the back of the net here."

"After going winless in their first six matches across all competitions to start the season, Aston Villa have finally found their feet, coming into this clash on a five-game winning streak. Their turnaround began with a 1-0 win over Bologna in the Europa League at Villa Park, which broke them out of the winless rut. Aston Villa then managed to pull off an impressive victory in Rotterdam, beating Feyenoord 2-0 to make it back-to-back victories in Europe. 

As it stands, Feyenoord currently sit top of the Eredivisie with an impressive record of eight wins and one drawn from nine games. By contrast, Go Ahead Eagles are 12th, having won just two of their nine league games. With that in mind, this could be a real struggle for the Dutch side. There is a serious gulf in quality between the two, and Go Ahead Eagle’s main concern is more likely to be on damage limitation, as opposed to taking any points."

"While Crystal Palace are a team that I wouldn't associate with goal-heavy games, I’m prepared to look beyond that here given the gulf in quality between the two teams. In fact, I think Oliver Glasner’s side are more than capable of covering the over 2.5 goal line on their own during this contest.

As already mentioned, AEK Larnaca were outclassed when crashing to a 4-2 defeat at home to Pafos in a recent Cypriot First Division clash, and Palace will represent a step up in class.

The visitors’ defensive shortcomings were also clear to see during their bid to reach the Europa League, failing to keep a clean sheet in seven of their eight outings. What’s more, five of those qualifiers featured over 2.5 goals, including each leg of Larnaca’s play-off tie with Brann.

In fact, Brann cruised to a 6-1 aggregate victory in that tie, so Palace should be more than capable of winning with room to spare at Selhurst Park on Thursday night."

"First and foremost, Porto have been a strong defensive side, but they have also managed to score 19 goals from their eight Liga Portugal matches. In fact, the Dragons have registered the second-most shots and shots on target in the entire division, showing just how dominant they have been.

Porto are adept at sustaining possession and making it difficult for their opponents to get out of their own half, meaning they can fully exert their dominance. The Dragons have forced at least two saves from their opposing goalkeeper in all eight league matches, and in both European outings this season. 

Meanwhile, Matz Sels has been kept busy for Nottingham Forest so far. He is averaging 3.1 saves per game in all competitions, landing this selection in nine of his ten matches in total. Sean Dyche will likely deploy more pragmatic tactics than Postecoglou, but it will take some time for those instructions to be instilled within the Forest players."