UEFA Europa League preview: What to look out for on Matchday 7
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Article summary
Manchester United take on Rangers, Tottenham hope to build momentum in Germany and Lazio defend their position at the top in the penultimate round of the UEFA Europa League league phase.
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Manchester United hope to continue their fine form in the Europa League as they host Rangers, while Tottenham look to rediscover theirs at Hoffenheim on Matchday 7.
All kick-off times 21:00 CET unless stated
Tuesday 21 January
Galatasaray 3-3 Dynamo Kyiv
Wednesday 22 January
Beşiktaş 4-1 Athletic Club
Thursday 23 January
AZ Alkmaar vs Roma (18:45)
Porto vs Olympiacos (18:45)
Viktoria Plzeň vs Anderlecht (18:45)
Fenerbahçe vs Lyon (18:45)
Bodø/Glimt vs Maccabi Tel-Aviv (18:45)
Malmö vs Twente (18:45)
Qarabağ vs FCSB (18:45)
Hoffenheim vs Tottenham Hotspur (18:45)
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Ferencváros
RFS vs Ajax
Elfsborg vs Nice
Manchester United vs Rangers
PAOK vs Slavia Praha
Ludogorets vs Midtjylland
Union SG vs Braga
Lazio vs Real Sociedad
Standout fixtures
One place and one point separate Manchester United from Matchday 7 guests Rangers, with both sides occupying a top eight spot ahead of their Old Trafford encounter. After making a victorious start at home, Ruben Amorim's first Europa League away trip with the Red Devils brought a similarly satisfying result. "Use my qualities, run the channels and be assertive in front of goal" were the instructions Rasmus Højlund cited after he scored twice for the second successive game to secure a 2-1 win in Plzen and move joint-first in the race for top scorer. Rangers extended their unbeaten run to four as they drew 1-1 with Tottenham in Glasgow, but captain James Tavernier said there was disappointment in the changing room after letting their lead slip. A point to prove in Manchester?
Did you know?
This is the first Europa League meeting between these teams, but they have played each other four times in the UEFA Champions League. Manchester United (W3 D1) emerged unbeaten from those duels.
Hoffenheim vs Tottenham Hotspur
The Rhein-Neckar-Arena promises an opportunity for redemption on Matchday 7, with neither Hoffenheim nor Tottenham tasting victory in the Europa League since October. After opening the campaign with three victories, Spurs are now winless in three following a draw on Ange Postecoglou's return to old rivals Rangers. "In the context of our European season, it's an important point," the Tottenham and former Celtic boss insisted as his team stayed ninth in the league phase standings. Their German opponents, sitting in 26th place, played out their third draw of the campaign in their last match and have won just once – defeating Dynamo Kyiv 2-0 on Matchday 2.
Did you know?
Hoffenheim have lost all four of their fixtures against English clubs in UEFA competitions, while Tottenham (W14 D4 L11) have a positive record against German sides.
After confirming their place in the round of 16 or knockout phase play-offs, league phase leaders Lazio welcome a Real Sociedad team on the rise to Stadio Olimpico. Marco Baroni's men earned their fifth win of the campaign at Ajax, Pedro Rodríguez netting his fourth league phase goal to seal the 3-1 triumph. "It's always important to score goals, but at my age it is difficult in these kinds of games," the 37-year-old admitted. That may prove the case against Real Sociedad, who have kept clean sheets on their way to two straight wins, the latest a Mikel Oyarzabal-inspired victory over Dynamo Kyiv.
Did you know?
Real Sociedad's last and only success over Italian opponents in UEFA competitions came against Inter in 1979. They have lost four and drawn five of their other nine meetings with Italian clubs.
Other highlights
- Fenerbahçe host fourth-placed Lyon, unbeaten in three, as they look to recover from that disappointing loss on Matchday 6. The French side have won all four of their previous meetings in UEFA competitions, the most recent a 4-2 home win in November 2004.
- Porto trail visitors Olympiacos by one point ahead of their Matchday 7 tussle at the Estádio do Dragão. This will be the ninth encounter between the sides in UEFA competitions, with Porto having the slight edge – four wins to Olympiacos' three, along with one draw.
- After an impressive 3-0 home victory over Braga, Roma take confidence into their Matchday 7 trip to AZ Alkmaar. The Italian club have faced a Dutch team in UEFA competitions during each of the last four seasons, including a UEFA Conference League final triumph over Feyenoord in 2022.