HJK Helsinki vs. Maribor (Thursday, 5.00pm)
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HJK Helsinki continue their hunt for a place in the Europa League when they play host to Maribor in the second leg of their third round of qualification fixtures on Thursday.
The Slovenian outfit, who were condemned to a 2-0 loss in last week's reverse leg, have lost each of their last four outings across all competitions and will be looking to end this dry spell.
We say: HJK Helsinki 2-1 Maribor
While Maribor will look to mount a memorable comeback, they have struggled to get going in recent weeks, losing each of their last four games across all competitions. We are backing the home side to pick up where they dropped off in the first leg and make use of their home advantage to claim a slender second-leg victory.
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FC Zurich vs. Linfield (Thursday, 6.00pm)
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Linfield will be looking to overturn a two-goal deficit when they travel to Switzerland to face FC Zurich at Stadion Letzigrund for the second leg of their Europa League third-round qualifier on Thursday.
The winners of this tie will face Scottish outfit Hearts in the playoff round later this month in a bid to progress to the Europa League group stage.
We say: FC Zurich 2-1 Linfield (FC Zurich to win 4-1 on aggregate)
Both sides have struggled for form in the opening weeks of the new season, but Zurich got the better of Linfield in the first leg and will be the favourites to progress to the next round considering their two-goal advantage.
Linfield will be hoping to put up more of a fight in Switzerland, but we can see the hosts edging out their Northern Irish counterparts on Thursday.
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Slovacko vs. Fenerbahce (Thursday, 6.00pm)
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Fenerbahce can take another step towards the Europa League group stage when they travel to Mestsky fotbalovy stadion Miroslava Valenty for a date with FC Slovacko in the second leg of the third qualifying stage.
The Turks captured the opening match 3-0 last week after being eliminated from Champions League contention when they lost 2-1 in extra-time to Dynamo Kiev late last month.
We say: FC Slovacko 0-2 Fenerbahce (Fenerbahce win 5-0 on aggregate)
When it comes to experience and talent, the Turkish outfit seem to possess a lot more than their Czech counterparts, who play well at home but have not faced a lot of sides with the kind of calibre and potency of Fenerbahce in a meaningful encounter.
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Dudelange vs. Malmo (Thursday, 7.00pm)
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With one foot already in the Europa League's playoff round, Malmo travel to Luxembourg on Thursday, to conclude their third qualifying round tie against F91 Dudelange.
Following their 3-0 victory in Sweden last week, the Allsvenskan champions are now 90 minutes away from meeting Sivasspor in a clash to reach the group stage.
We say: F91 Dudelange 1-2 Malmo (Malmo win 5-1 on aggregate)
Free of pressure following last week's result, Malmo can take this second leg in their stride and see out a comfortable aggregate victory. Even a second-string side should possess enough guile to score more than once on Thursday, sealing a spot in the playoffs.
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Slovan Bratislava vs. Olympiacos (Thursday, 7.30pm)
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Slovan Bratislava and Olympiacos head into the second leg of their third-round Europa League qualifier all square after drawing 1-1 in Greece a week ago.
The reigning Slovakian champions have only lost one of their previous six matches played at Tehelne pole, while last season's Greek champions are winless in their previous five road games in all competitions.
We say: Slovan Bratislava 1-0 Olympiacos (Slovan Bratislava win 2-1 on aggregate)
Home field should be a significant advantage for the Slovaks, who usually play with much more structure and poise on the back end in front of their fans.
Olympiacos have an extensive experience advantage, but they have not been great in front of goal lately and might need some time to get their defensive shape back in order, conceding eight goals in their previous four matches.
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Partizan vs. Larnaca (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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Partizan and AEK Larnaca go head to head at the Stadion Partizana in the second leg of the third qualifying round of the Europa League on Thursday.
The home side head into the game on a run of four consecutive outings without a win across all competitions and will be looking to end this dry spell and overturn their first-leg deficit.
We say: Partizan 2-0 AEK Larnaca
Partizan have been near-impenetrable on their home turf in recent weeks, claiming eight wins and two draws from their last 10 games. We are tipping them to turn this tie around in front of their home crowd against an opposing side who have managed just two wins in their last seven games on the road.
