Europa League predictions: Group stage matchday 5

When the UEFA Cup, the forerunner to the Europa League, was created in 1971, not even those at European football's governing body were optimistic about the competition's lifespan.

UEFA's former chief executive Gerhard Aigner even admitted: «It is true that we did not expect the UEFA Cup to become so important.»

Five decades later, the modern iteration of the tournament has emerged as the continent's second-most prestigious club competition. On Thursday, the group stage of this season's campaign ticks towards its climax with the penultimate round of matches.

Here are predictions for the latest slate of fixtures in a competition that no one expected to still be going.

West Ham United's record-breaking run in European competition came to an end on their last away posting in the group stage. David Moyes' side swiftly bounced back to defeat Olympiacos at the London Stadium last time out, ensuring that a victory over Serbian upstarts Backa Topola this week would confirm their place in the knockout stages.

The Hellenic giants travel to Freiburg with ground to make up in Group A. Olympiacos need to win their final two matches to retain any hope of hosting Europa League football after Christmas.

Greek champions AEK Athens are also playing catchup when they welcome Brighton to the capital on Thursday. The Seagulls will be out for revenge after losing the club's first-ever European fixture to AEK at the Amex in September.

Kick-off time (GMT)

Fixture

Group

Prediction

17:45

Backa Topola vs West Ham

A

0-2

17:45

Freiburg vs Olympiacos

A

1-0

17:45

AEK Athens vs Brighton

B

1-2

17:45

Sparta Prague vs Real Betis

C

1-1

17:45

Atalanta vs Sporting CP

D

2-1

17:45

Sturm Graz vs Rakow Czestochowa

D

2-0

17:45

Maccabi Haifa vs Rennes

F

1-3

Real Betis have rebounded from an opening