Europa League Round 1 Preview: 17 September Matches
The second matchday of the Europa League league phase brings another nine fixtures. Juventus, regarded as the main favourites to win the tournament, begin their campaign against modest Dutch side NEC, while Crystal Palace host Lech with plenty of domestic problems hanging over them. Thursday's headline fixtures are Real Sociedad against Bournemouth and Besiktas against Marseille.
Levski Sofia – Red Bull Salzburg
Bulgarian side Levski make their debut in the Europa League league phase. The hosts come into the match in less than ideal condition: first a 4-2 defeat to CSKA in the Super Cup, then a goalless draw with Botev in the league. Salzburg, by contrast, are still unbeaten this season, with their run now stretching to 12 matches. Danny Röhl has one of the youngest squads in the tournament, valued at more than €120 million on average, and his team rely on aggressive pressing and quick transitions. However, Levski will have home support behind them, and they have scored and avoided defeat in 10 of their last 11 home matches.
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Levski Sofia – Red Bull Salzburg
OFI – Hoffenheim
Greek side OFI host Hoffenheim at the Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion. The Cretan ground is known for an atmosphere capable of causing problems for any visitor. The German club are objectively stronger technically, but inconsistency away from home has long been a weakness. They have failed to win four of their last five away matches and have conceded in eight of nine. OFI, who recently beat Olympiacos 1-0, may be able to make up for the difference in class with home support. Christos Kontis' team have now won five consecutive home matches.
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Celtic – Ferencvaros
The Scottish giants face their Hungarian counterparts at Celtic Park. The atmosphere in Glasgow is among the loudest in Europe, making this a serious test for Ferencvaros. Fradi are unbeaten in seven consecutive matches, but a trip to Celtic is a very different kind of examination from anything they encounter in the Hungarian league. The hosts must make home advantage count, especially after their recent 3-0 defeat to city rivals Rangers in the League Cup quarter-final. The supporters will not accept a second straight setback. That looks unlikely, however, given Celtic's nine-match winning streak at home.
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Crystal Palace – Lech Poznan
Crystal Palace welcome Lech Poznan. The London club are going through a difficult spell, with only one win and three defeats from four Premier League rounds. In their most recent match, the Eagles lost 3-2 at home to Ipswich. Pierre Sage has plenty of problems to solve, and the transition following Oliver Glasner's departure may take time. Lech, meanwhile, have avoided defeat in nine of their last 10 matches and sit third in their domestic league. Polish clubs are traditionally difficult opponents at home, but proving themselves at Selhurst Park will be much harder.
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Juventus – NEC Nijmegen
Juventus begin their Europa League campaign at the Allianz Stadium. The Bianconeri spent last season in the Champions League, but their objective now is at least to reach the decisive stages of Europe's second-tier club competition and, ideally, to win it. NEC Nijmegen are a mid-table Eredivisie side who are inferior to Juventus in every department and have managed only one win in their last six matches. In terms of the expected result, this is probably the clearest pairing of the day. Three points are the minimum requirement for the hosts, even with their squad problems.
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Lillestrom – Torreense
This is the most unusual fixture of the matchday. Lillestrom face Torreense at Åråsen Stadion. The hosts are already beyond the halfway point of their domestic season, which gives them an advantage in match sharpness. Torreense represent Portugal's second tier but sensationally won the national cup, beating Sporting 2-1 in the final. Their current season has not gone well, however, with only one win in seven matches. The northern climate and the state of the pitch may become additional factors in favour of Lillestrom, who come into the game on a three-match winning streak.
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Real Sociedad – Bournemouth
This is one of Thursday's most intriguing fixtures. At Anoeta, experienced European campaigners Real Sociedad will test Bournemouth, who are playing the first European campaign in their history. The Basque side traditionally prefer technical, possession-based football, but they have failed to win six of their last seven home matches. The Cherries have established themselves in the Premier League in recent years and even enter as slight favourites. Results under Marco Rose have not been especially impressive so far, though, with only one win in five matches, a 4-0 victory over Lincoln. The teams look extremely evenly matched.
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Viktoria Plzen – Union Saint-Gilloise
Viktoria Plzen are another experienced European side with strong home support. They face Union Saint-Gilloise, who have become one of the leading clubs in Belgian football over recent seasons and have accumulated European experience of their own. It is not the biggest fixture by name, but there is plenty of intrigue, reflected in almost identical odds. The hosts will look to overwhelm their opponents with pressing and set pieces, while the visitors will respond with structured play and quick transitions. There is a strong chance of goals at both ends, something that has happened in each of Viktoria's last six home matches.
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Viktoria Plzen – Union Saint-Gilloise
Besiktas – Marseille
We have saved one of the brightest fixtures of the day for last. Vodafone Park hosts the battle between Besiktas and Marseille. Turkish crowds create one of the most intimidating atmospheres in Europe, and that will be a serious psychological challenge for the French side. In truth, the entire start of the season has been a challenge for Bruno Genesio's team. After three consecutive defeats, Marseille sit in the lower part of the Ligue 1 table. Besiktas, meanwhile, are among the Super Lig leaders and have won six straight home matches. Vincenzo Italiano's team are capable of producing a surge in front of their own supporters. The match promises a high tempo and plenty of physical duels.
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Conclusion
There is no shortage of intrigue in the Europa League on 17 September. Juventus and Crystal Palace are the only clear-cut favourites. In the other fixtures, little is certain and the picture will only begin to take shape after kick-off. The main event of the day is in Istanbul, where Besiktas will find out just how serious Marseille's crisis really is. We expect football of the highest quality.
FAQ
Which Europa League 2026/27 match is the headline fixture on 17 September?
The match in Istanbul between Besiktas and Marseille.
