What to watch on Europa League matchday one

Group A
European giants look to make mark
When it comes to European pedigree, few clubs can equal Ajax or Celtic. Both former European champions, the two sides last met in the group stages of the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League, with Celtic taking the spoils in Glasgow before Ajax claimed their revenge with a 1-0 triumph in Amsterdam.

After missing out on the UEFA Champions League this term following defeat by Malmö, Celtic's Gary Mackay-Steven is determined his team will make their mark in the UEFA Europa League: "It's definitely a chance to showcase that we belong at this level," he said. "There is no reason why we can't go to Amsterdam and get a positive result."
Ajax v Celtic – 19.00CET

Group C
Free-scoring Dortmund welcome Krasnodar
Borussia Dortmund, under new coach Thomas Tuchel, were rampant throughout their UEFA Europa League qualifying campaign, scoring 22 goals in four games. They have started their domestic season in similarly striking form, their 100% record putting them top of the Bundesliga. "It's not a given that you go on a winning streak, but it creates a spirit you only get through victories," said Tuchel after his side's recent success over Wolfsburg. "Euphoria can always wane but we have huge ambition and don't plan to stop winning."

Visitors Krasnodar are making their second appearance in the UEFA Europa League group stage, having featured at this juncture last season when they battled their way to third place in a difficult section containing Everton and Wolfsburg.
Borussia Dortmund v Krasnodar – 19.00CET

Group G
Last season's finalists face Lazio
Having won their last five European home games without conceding, Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk – runners-up in May's UEFA Europa League final – look a tough nut to crack for Stefano Pioli's visiting Lazio outfit, who currently sit ninth in Serie A.

"It is a very competitive group," said Pioli. "Of course, we believe we will get through to the knockout stages. However, it is important we do not underestimate anyone. Dnipro are a team that should be respected, given they got to last season's final."
Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk v Lazio – 21.05CET

Group H
Lokomotiv seek to storm Fortress Lisbon
Lokomotiv Moskva are striving to put an end to Sporting CP's formidable home record; over the course of the last 21 European matches at the Estádio José Alvalade, Chelsea remain the only visiting team to come away with three points.

Lokomotiv currently lie second in the Russian Premier-Liga, with Senegalese international Baye Oumar Niasse and midfielder Alan Kasaev leading the scoring charts with three goals apiece.
Sporting CP v Lokomotiv Moskva – 21.05CET

Skënderbeu want Turkish delight
Not content with being the first Albanian club in the group phase of a major UEFA competition, Skënderbeu will attempt to become the first side from their country to register a victory against Turkish opposition. They face a tough test against Beşiktaş, who reached the last 16 in 2014/15 before bowing out to Club Brugge.

"This is a great team with a fantastic spirit," said Beşiktaş striker Mario Gomez, on a season-long loan from Fiorentina. "We want to show Europe we can compete with the best."
KF Skënderbeu v Beşiktaş JK – 21.05CET

Paulo Sousa while at Basel©AFP/Getty Images

Group I
Sousa up against his former team
Paulo Sousa, a European champion as a player with both Juventus and Dortmund, welcomes Basel – the club he guided to the Swiss title last term – as he bids to get his new team Fiorentina's campaign off to a winning start.

Basel have been haunted by their old boss's former employers this season, having lost to Maccabi Tel Aviv – whom Sousa led to the Israeli championship in 2013/14 – in the UEFA Champions League play-offs. Yet with the UEFA Europa League final being played at their home ground in May they have an added incentive to target the knockout rounds.
AFC Fiorentina v FC Basel – 21.05CET

Group J
Qarabağ look for London upset
Azerbaijani champions Qarabağ undertake a daunting challenge for their Group J opener – a 4,000km trip to London to tackle Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham. But having beaten last season's finalists Dnipro in the 2014/15 group stage, they will know they have what it takes to compete at this level.

Tottenham have lost just once in their last 17 European home games and Pochettino wants his side to start picking up the results their displays have merited. "We are playing well," he said after Sunday's Premier League victory at Sunderland. "Now all we need are goals."
Tottenham Hotspur v Qarabağ FK – 21.05CET

Anderlecht and Monaco seek fresh start
Despite an unimpressive recent record against French sides in Europe – they are winless in their last five encounters with Ligue 1 opposition – Anderlecht should be feeling confident after a strong start to the Belgian campaign. Monaco, meanwhile, struggled to find the net during last season's UEFA Champions League run and have endeavoured to inject some youth into their lineup this term.

"Our objective is to play good football but it is not easy," explained coach Leonardo Jardim. "These young players have come from smaller clubs where they are not used to playing with pressure, but our job is to work with them and help them progress."
RSC Anderlecht v AS Monaco FC – 21.05CET

Group L
Former finalists welcome debutants
Augsburg make their European bow against 2012 UEFA Europa League finalists Athletic, and coach Markus Weinzierl hopes his charges will adapt quickly to the demands of the competition. "We have less time to recover and prepare for opponents, but we can only learn from this experience and look to improve," he said. "It's a welcome challenge for both the club and myself as a manger."

Athletic are coming off the back of a 3-1 Liga success over Getafe – a game described by boss Ernesto Valverde as "a must-win" – and will be keen to improve on their record versus German sides in Europe; they have lost 50% of their matches against Bundesliga teams to date.
Athletic Club v FC Augsburg – 21.05CET