Europa League 2nd round matches
Posted 20. octoober 2015
Fenerbahçe are out to show their better side on Thursday, while Bordeaux welcome an old friend and the new coaches of Liverpool and Partizan seek positive starts. Group A has a topsy-turvy look ahead of matchday three, Molde topping a section that includes Celtic as well as Fenerbahçe and Ajax – both of whom are looking for a first win in the section. Ajax can feel confident: they have won all eight of their games against Turkish sides including a pair of 2-0 wins against the Yellow Canaries in the second round of the 1968/69 European Champion Clubs' Cup. Brendan Rodgers' last European game as Liverpool manager is unlikely to inspire fond memories in the future. The Anfield crowd left little doubt as to what they thought of his side's performance as the Reds traipsed off at the end of a 1-1 draw against Sion, with his replacement Jürgen Klopp now having the chance to get off on the right foot against Rubin. The talk ahead of this Group J fixture may have focused on the glorious past, with Keith Burkinshaw's Spurs having beating Paul Van Himst's Anderlecht 4-3 on penalties at White Hart Lane after a pair of 1-1 draws in the 1984 UEFA Cup final. However, on this occasion, a fourth 1-1 draw between the clubs would suit neither side. Anderlecht are without a victory in five European games (D3 L2), and Spurs have not won in their last three European away fixtures (D1 L2).
