This preview sees the Europa League return with two excellent fixtures involving English clubs. Inter Milan host Southampton in the early kickoff, with the Italian giants in desperate need of a win after a poor start to the season, Southampton are in excellent form and have not tasted defeat in seven matches. Manchester United host Fenerbahce with United having nothing in the way of rest after their huge game against Liverpool on Monday. United will be looking to register a first win in three, with Robin Van Persie returning with his new club Fenerbahce.
Manchester United host Fenerbahce with United having nothing in the way of rest after their huge game against Liverpool on Monday. United will be looking to register a first win in three, with Robin Van Persie returning with his new club Fenerbahce.
Inter Milan vs Southampton – Thursday 20th October 2016 – 18:00 - BT Sport
Inter Milan welcome Southampton to the San Siro on Thursday evening, in the third round of matches from the Europa League group stages.
Frank De Boer's side come into this match on the back of a 2-1 defeat at home against Cagliari in Serie A.
The hosts took the lead through Mario (55) but defensive frailties saw then concede two goals late in the second half to consign them to another home defeat.
Goals from Melchiorri (71) and a Handanovic own goal (85) saw Inter slip to 11th, they are already 10 points off leaders Juventus.
Inter In Poor Form
Inter had gone into the weekend's fixtures in poor form, with back to back defeats in all competitions.
They have started the Europa League in poor form as well, with two defeats in two matches in what should have been an easy group for them.
Something could well have to give soon, the squad that Inter have are not producing anywhere near the level of results that are expected.
Hapoel Be'er Sheva defeated them in the opening match 2-0, with the 3-1 defeat against Sparta Praha in the second game leaving them rock bottom of the group.
Inter Favourites
Despite their poor form Inter remain favourites, with a win sure to boost the confidence of a fragile Inter Milan side.
They will be looking to register their first win of the competition, they will also be looking for their first win in 5 matches.
A win may still not be enough to move Inter off the bottom of the table, they will need a win to ensure they have any chance of progression.
Inter are 11/8 with Mauro Icardi at 4/1 to score first.
Saints Underdogs
Southampton travel to the San Siro on the back of a 3-1 win against Burnley at the weekend.
It's a result that sees Southampton continue their incredible run of four wins in six matches, they are also unbeaten since the opening Europa League game as well.
They had drawn their previous two matches going into the weekend's game, they emphatically put those results to bed though.
Goals from Charlie Austin (52, 66) were both from the penalty spot and Nathan Redmond (60) combined to ensure that Southampton went 3-0 up.
Sam Vokes also converted a penalty (72), in what was the third of the day and there could have been another early on, it was a small consolation for Sean Dyche's side though.
Big Game For Southampton
Claude Puel's side are currently joint top of their group, with a 0-0 draw against Hapoel Be'er Sheva in their last Europa League match.
They have registered four points from their opening 2 matches, with the English side unbeaten in their Europa League campaign.
This match will be huge for the Saints, a match of this magnitude is just reward for their hard work last season.
On matchday one they comfortably beat Sparta Praha 3-0, with goals from Charlie Austin (5, 27) and Jay Rodriguez (90+2).
This turned out to be the catalyst for their league form as well, they haven't lost a game since.
English Side Underdogs
Southampton come into this match as underdogs, they will be looking to register their second win in the Europa League this season.
This will be a tough fixture for the visitors, arguably the toughest of their Europa League campaign, with Inter one of the best sides in the competition on paper.
Claude Puel's side will be looking for their biggest win of the season, on form alone Southampton are the favourites but Inter have yet to hit top gear this season.
Southampton are 2/1 with Charlie Austin and Shane Long at 6/1 to open the scoring.
Manchester United vs Fenerbahce – Thursday 20th October 2016 – 20:05 - BT Sport
Manchester United welcome Fenerbahce to the Theatre of Dreams on Thursday evening, in the third round of matches from the Europa League group stages.
Jose Mourinho's side come into this match on the back of a 0-0 draw away at Liverpool in the Premier League on Monday.
In what was billed as one of the biggest games of the season "Red Monday" didn't quite live up to it's epic billing.
Manchester United put in an excellent defensive shift, setting up to stop Liverpool and nick a goal on the counter-attack.
United In Mixed Form
The Red Devils had gone into the weekend's fixtures in mixed form, with two successive draws in the Premier League.
They have started the Europa League in mixed form as well, with an opening defeat and a win on matchday two.
Their opening fixture away against high-flying Feyenoord saw them lose 1-0, in what was a tough period of three successive defeats for United.
Zorya Luhansk did make an out of sorts United work hard, they managed to prevail with a less than convincing 1-0.
United Favourites
Despite their mixed form United remain favourites, with another win sure to boost the confidence of a fragile United side.
They will be looking to register their second win of the competition, they will also be looking to build confidence ahead of the Chelsea game.
A win could see United move top of the Group, with Feyenoord taking on Zorya Luhansk in the other Group A fixture.
United are 3/5 with Zlatan Ibrahimovic at 7/2 to score first.
Fener Underdogs
Fenerbahce travel to Old Trafford on the back of a 1-1 draw against Osmanlispor at the weekend.
It's a result that sees Fenerbahce remain ninth in the Turkish Super Lig, 8 points behind runaway leaders Istanbul.
They have drawn their last two successive matches but have lost two games this season, against Bursaspor and leaders Istanbul.
With two wins from their opening seven matches, they have plenty of work to do in the league.
Big Game For Van Persie
The Turkish side are currently top of their group, with a 1-0 win against Feyenoord in their last Europa League match.
They have registered four points from their opening 2 matches, with the Turkish side unbeaten in their Europa League campaign.
This match sees the return of former Red Robin Van Persie, who was sold by former manager Louis Van Gaal.
On matchday two, E Emenike scored the only goal of the game in the 18th minute to give Fenerbahce all three points.
Turkish Side Underdogs
Fenerbahce come into this match as underdogs, they will be looking to register their second win in the Europa League this season.
This will be a tough fixture for the visitors, arguably the toughest of their Europa League campaign, with United one of the best sides in the competition on paper.
The Turkish side will be looking for their biggest win of the season, on form alone Fenerbahce are the favourites but United have yet to hit top gear in this competition.
Fenerbahce are 5/1 with Robin Van Persie, Moussa Sow and Emmanuel Emenike at 8/1 to score first.
Betting Tips
Tip 1 – Icardi to score first @ 4/1 and a 2-2 draw @ 12/1
Tip 2 – Van Persie to score first @ 8/1 and United to win 2-1 @ 15/2