Europa League: Big Names Clash With Survival on the Line in Second Qualifying Round Return Leg

What’s at stake?

A reminder as to the structure of UEFA Europa League (UEL) qualifying: we’re currently in the second round of a four-round total campaign. The fourth and final round is the play-off, in which the winners advance to Europa League proper (i.e. the 36-team league stage).

However, elimination from UEL qualification doesn’t mean you’re out of Europe. The losers in the second round will drop down to the UEFA Conference League  (UECL) third qualifying round, while the winners move one step closer to the ultimate prize of making the league stage. Additionally, making it to the third round of the Europa League guarantees at least a spot in the UECL play-off, even if the team should lose in the next round.

Five of the eight fixtures are level following last week’s matches, setting up what is sure to be a tense return leg.

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Besiktas

One of the best fixtures of the round was Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk against the free-spending Besiktas. The Turkish outfit has it all to do in the second leg after losing 4-2 on their home turf last week. Our experts don’t think they can pull it off - see the full analysis in our Shakhtar Donetsk vs Besiktas Istanbul prediction!

With significant investment into the team in the summer, bringing in the likes of Okrun Kokcu, Joao Mario and Tammy Abraham, it would be a disaster if Besiktas were to bow out at this stage. It would bring them one step closer to a potential season without Europe as a loss here would see them drop into the Conference League third qualifying round. With both fan bases demanding that their respective sides make the league stage, neither can afford a bad performance.

First leg match stats

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Braga vs Levski Sofia

Holders of the second-highest UEFA coefficient of all teams involved in the second qualifying round (46.000), Braga return to Portugal in a strong position to advance. However, they must not take their opponents for granted, as they proved successful in frustrating them in the goalless first leg in Sofia.

There were only nine total shots taken in their first meeting (five by Braga and four by Levski) as the match never really got into a rhythm. While it certainly wasn’t the worst possible result for the Portuguese club, it means that they can’t have an off night on Thursday, otherwise they could be faced with the prospect of a shock elimination. Our experts are backing Braga to get the job done while simultaneously keeping Levski off the scoresheet. Find out more in our SC Braga vs Levski Sofia prediction.

First leg match stats

Hibernian vs Midtjylland

Despite being heavily favoured in the first leg, Midtjylland couldn’t find the go-ahead goal in their match with Hibs. After going down 1-0 in the first half, the Danish side were able to respond with an equalizer in the 72nd minute. They had chances to get the winner down the stretch, but ultimately were unable to make the breakthrough against a Hibernian defence that deserves plenty of credit for their performance.

The Scottish Premiership club will now feel they have a very realistic chance at going through to the next round. They are, however, still firmly the underdogs for the return leg, even at Easter Road where they ended the prior season with a lengthy 13-match unbeaten run. You can read more about what our experts think in our Hibernian vs FC Midtjylland prediction!

First leg match stats

Second qualifying round full fixture list                                                                                           

• AEK Larnaca (1) vs Celje (1)
• Hacken (0) vs Anderlecht (1)
• CFR Cluj (0) vs Lugano (0)
• Shakhtar Donetsk (4) vs Besiktas (2)
• Utrecht (3) vs Sheriff (1)
• Hibernian (1) vs Midtjylland (1)
• Legia Warsaw (2) vs Banik Ostrava (2)
• Braga (0) vs Levski Sofia (0)

Check out our football predictions