Europa League top games previews

Europa League | Preview

15/09/16

The Europa League group stages begin this week, with forty-eight teams fighting for twenty-four of the thirty-two spots in the knockout rounds of this season's competition. Many clubs will see the Europa League as important and an ideal chance to lift some silverware. There are many big names in this season's draw, promising some explosive encounters.

On Thursday, Feyenoord host Manchester United at the Stadion Feijenoord in Rotterdam. The Group A match will be played in front of a reduced crowd of less than 30,000 after crowd trouble against Roma last season saw Feyenoord heavily punished by UEFA. The club hope the lower capacity will help to avoid another incident and further sanctions. Travelling Manchester United supporters have been advised to be low key. The two sides have only met twice before, in the 1997/98 Champion's League campaign. United won both legs of a two-leg tie.

United manager Jose Mourinho will be looking for a strong reaction after his side were beaten 2-1 in the Manchester derby at the weekend. Mourinho is likely to ring in the changes with Marcus Rojo replacing Luke Shaw who has a hamstring concern. Mourinho has stated that Marcus Rashford is "going to play" after some impressive substitute appearances. This will be his first start of the season. Chris Smalling is also expected to start, giving the England man a chance to stake a claim for a regular starting berth at centre-back.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst's in form Feyenoord have won all five of their opening games so far in the Dutch Eredivision and sit top of the table. Ex-Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt will be looking to find the back of the net against his former rivals. The 36-year old still has an important role to play and has scored 3 goals in 5 games so far for his club.

In Group F Italian side Sassuolo Calcio play Spanish outfit Athletic Bilbao. Claudio Ranieri says Sassuolo have the potential to be "the Italian Leicester". This is their fourth season in the top flight after they gained promotion in 2013. They surprised many by finishing sixth last season in Serie A and qualifying for the Europa League.

They currently sit sixth in the Italian league after winning two of their three opening games. Raneiri expects Sassuolo to go even further this term, with a Europa League challenge providing the perfect opportunity to mark their progress. Their opponents Athletic Bilbao sit 14th in the Spanish top division after a slightly disappointing start. This should be a tight contest between the two sides.

Mario Balotelli has a chance for a career resurrection after joining OGC Nice recently. His new club host Schalke 04 at the Stade de Nice in this opening Group I match. Nice boss Lucian Favre will be hoping for big things from the perenial underachiever.

A extended Europa League campaign could be the perfect stage for Balotelli to showcase his talents. Nice are undefeated in their last 13 UEFA matches at home, winning 10 and drawing 3. Schalke are undefeated in their last 6 UEFA away games with 4 wins and 2 draws. This is the first meeting between these two sides.