The Europa League group stage is slowly coming to an end, but there is still much to play for heading into the penultimate round of matches.
Although, tournament favourites Arsenal essentially have top spot in Group A all sewn up, but they can officially secure their place in the last 16 when they face PSV again.
Elsewhere, Real Betis are hoping to hold onto their Group C lead as they take on Ludogorets, while there is still everything to play for in the most competitive group of all – Group F – where all four teams are locked on five points.
Read on below as SBOTOP selects the five most intriguing matches in the second-to-last round of the Europa League group stage.
PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal
Arsenal are in firm control of Group A. They have won all four games thus far and have a five-point lead over closest rivals PSV.
Arsenal utterly dominated PSV in their first meeting at the Emirates last week. The Gunners had an overwhelming 25-4 shot advantage, although they only got their lone goal through Granit Xhaka in the 70th minute.
PSV suffered a shock 4-2 defeat away to FC Groningen over the weekend, but they will be looking to bounce back at the Philips Arena to keep Bodo/Glimt at bay in the battle for second in Group A.
PSV have been incredibly prolific at home this season, with 15 goals scored in their last three games. They also smashed FC Zurich 5-0 in their last Europa League home game.
Lazio vs FC Midtjylland
Lazio may be flying high in Serie A – they have won five of their last six in the league and are up in third place – but they have a fight on their hands in the Europa League.
Lazio are locked in an extremely tight battle in Group F, which sees all five teams in the group tied at five points through four rounds.
The Europa League 2022 odds still have the Italian side as favourites to go through, and they could take a major step toward the last 16 if they can beat Midtjylland at the Stadio Olimpico.
The Danish club caused one of the biggest shocks in the Europa League to date as they thrashed Maurizio Sarri’s side 5-1 in the reverse fixture.
Lazio will still be without captain and star striker Ciro Immobile, but they are still more than capable of producing plenty of Europa League 2022 highlights.
Sturm Graz vs Feyenoord
Speaking of revenge, Sturm Graz will similarly be hoping to get some against Feyenoord in Group F’s other match.
Sturm Graz were smashed 6-0 by Feyenoord in their first meeting this season, although they recovered quite well to take two points in two games against group favourites Lazio.
Feyenoord have been the biggest entertainers of the Europa League thus far. All four of their group games have involved four or more goals, with two seeing six goals fly in.
And with both clubs still very much in contention to claim top spot in the group, they will be going all out for the win in what could be another high-scoring contest.
Ludogorets vs Real Betis
Few gave Ludogorets much hope of getting out of Group C, which included two leading Europa League contenders in Real Betis and Roma. But lo and behold, the Bulgarian champions are second in the group with just two games to go.
Although, Ludogorets face a tough assignment as they host group leaders Real Betis at the Huvepharma Arena this midweek.
Betis are navigating Group C quite well as they remain unbeaten with three wins and a draw and went unbeaten in two games against Roma. But the Spanish side’s overall form has dipped of late, with just one win in their last five games.
This recent Betis wobble could be the opening Ludogorets need to see them claim top spot in the group.
Union Berlin vs Braga
Is the comeback on for Union Berlin? It could be. After losing each of their first two games, the surprise Bundesliga leaders have reeled off back-to-back wins and are back in contention for knockout round qualification.
But Union’s hopes of making it through hinge on their match against Braga. The Portuguese club are heading in the opposite direction to Union as they’ve gone winless in their last two after winning their first two group games.
With just one point separating Braga and Union, the winner of this match would take one massive step toward making it out of Group D alongside Union St. Gilloise, who might seal top spot if they beat bottom-side Malmo.
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