Rakow Czestochowa will look to get off the mark in Group D of the Europa League as they host Portuguese giants Sporting CP on Thursday, with kick-off at 17:45. Below we preview the game and pick out a couple of selections.

Team News

The home side have a whole host of injuries heading into this one, with Efstratios Svarnas, Ivi Lopez, Adrian Gryzkiewicz and Lukasz Zwolinski all expected to miss out. Meanwhile, Sporting are likely to be without Francisco Trincao and Jerry St Juste, although Ousmane Diomande, who is suspended domestically, is free to feature in the Europa League this week.

Match odds

Rakow are 10/3 to win this game at home, while a draw can be backed at 13/5. Sporting are 4/6 to take all three points and BTTS is priced at 8/11. Elsewhere, over 2.5 goals is 9/4 while Sporting to win to nil is 2/1. 

Sporting to win with -1 handicap @ 2/1

Rakow are currently 4th in the Polish top flight, and without a point in their Europa League campaign so far. Meanwhile, Sporting are one of the most in-form sides on the continent, sit top of the Primeira Liga and have only lost to Atalanta in all competitions. 

They are clearly an excellent footballing side under Ruben Amorim this term, and you would expect them to be able to wipe the floor with the Polish outfit, who are suffering with several injuries. Amorim will believe his side can win big on this away trip, and the 2/1 on offer for Sporting to win with a -1 handicap feels about right. If you want to push it further, -2 is 5/1, but we will play it safe on this occasion. 

Viktor Gyokeres to score 2+ @ 17/2

Gyokeres is quickly establishing himself as one of the finest strikers anywhere in Europe, and after just a few months in Lisbon, he has become a fans-favourite. He won player of the month in Portugal for August and September, and has now scored eight goals in nine matches in all competitions. 

He’s also scored in both of his Europa League appearances to date and is likely to run riot against weaker opposition in the form of Rakow Czestochowa. The 17/2 on offer for him to score two goals or more is generous given his recent form, and ultimately his quality should shine through.