We say: Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 Hacken
Leverkusen have begun the campaign in a rich vein of form, and we think that they will get the better of the Swedish champions to claim maximum points and extend their unbeaten run to the season to six matches across all competitions.
We say: West Ham United 4-0 Backa Topola
While West Ham will not be underestimating their opponents, this is as ideal start as they could have hoped for. Even if Moyes opts to make a number of alterations, the Hammers should have more than enough quality to breeze to victory on Thursday night.
We say: Sturm Graz 1-3 Sporting Lisbon
Sturm have got into the habit of winning, while their draw with Salzburg will have felt like a win given the level of opposition.
However, Ilzer’s side may be overpowered by the quality in the Sporting side, with the visitors arriving in excellent form.
We say: LASK Linz 1-3 Liverpool
LASK normally need no lessons in putting the ball in the back of the net at home and should play with the handbrake off against Liverpool, whose defending has often left a lot to be desired this season.
A second-string Reds XI are unlikely to be at their free-flowing best, but the cavalry is ready to be called upon if things to awry, and Klopp’s red-hot attackers should propel the visitors to a convincing opening victory.
We say: Brighton & Hove Albion 3-0 AEK Athens
Brighton should certainly be up for their Europa League debut on home turf, and they have the quality to comfortably see AEK Athens off on Thursday and begin in style with three points.
We say: Atalanta BC 4-2 Rakow Czestochowa
Gasperini’s ultra-attacking style of play very rarely changes, and it does not need to, given the success they have had, but while they are big favourites to win here, their opponents may spring one or two surprises on them.
Rakow may have performed heroically in Champions League qualifying and have started well domestically, but they are likely to struggle to contain Atalanta’s fearsome attack.
