Union Saint-Gilloise v Ajax, Fenerbahce v Anderlecht, Porto v Roma: Europa League
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Fenerbahce and Real Sociedad, two contenders to win the Europa League, are in good positions after a quarter of their playoff ties.
Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce have had some hairy moments against a lively Anderlecht but lead 2-0 through Dusan Tadic and Edin Dzeko. In truth it could easily be 2-2.
Sociedad lead in Denmark against Midtjylland, as do Ferencvaros at home to Viktoria Plzen. Ajax's match away to Union SG is goalless.
Fenerbahce 2-0 Anderlecht
Tadic 11, Dzeko 43
Ferencvaros 1-0 Plzen
Abu Fani 23
Midtjylland 1-2 Real Sociedad
Buksa 38; Mendez 11 (pen), Kubo 31
Union SG 0-0 Ajax Share
This is probably the standout tie of the round, but neither team has been at their best this season. Porto will hope to improve on a run of one win in their last eight games when they welcome Roma to the Estádio do Dragão. The Portuguese side are now under the management of the 39-year-old Argentinian Martín Anselmi, who has sought to implement a three-man backline since taking over from Vítor Bruno last month.
Porto are out of contention in the Primeira Liga and out of the Taça de Portugal, so are looking to the Europa League to save their season. Marko Grujic, Iván Marcano and Martim Fernandes will miss the Roma game with injury, but the main blow to their chances is Nico González's €60m move to Manchester City on deadline day.
Roma have no injury or suspension worries but they have been poor on the road this season. Their narrow 1-0 victory at Venezia at the weekend was justtheir second away win in all competitions in 2024-25. It has been a tough year for the club, who have employed four managers in the last 14 months. Claudio Ranieri came out of retirement to lead his boyhood club in November and would dearly love to finish his career with some European silverware. Prediction: Roma to progress. Europa League: previews and predictions for the playoff round Share
Good evening and welcome to a proud moment in Guardian News & Media history: our first ever Europa League playoff clockwatch.
It doesn't quite have the heavyweight feel of the Champions League games earlier in the week but there are still some big games involving potential winners of the competition. These are tonight's games, with the second legs to follow a week tonight.
5.45pm kick-offs Fenerbahce 2-0 Anderlecht
Ferencvaros 1-0 Plzen
Midtjylland 1-2 Real Sociedad
Union SG 0-0 Ajax
8pm Alkmaar v Galatasaray
FC Porto v AS Roma
PAOK v FCSB
Twente v Bodo/Glimt Share Explore more on these topics
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