As the UEFA Europa League qualifying round kicks off, matchday one promises an exciting slate of fixtures from 12 to 19 August 2025.
On Tuesday, 12 August, Shelbourne will host Rijeka at 18:45, looking to exploit home advantage against their Croatian opponents. Shelbourne, with a strong domestic campaign, will aim to advance against a Rijeka side that has been inconsistent in recent seasons.
The action intensifies on Thursday, 14 August, featuring a host of fixtures. KuPS welcomes Rīgas FS at 15:00, with both teams keen to make an early statement in the competition. The Finnish side is known for its robust defensive setup, which could be pivotal against Rīgas FS’s attacking flair.
At 16:00, FC Midtjylland takes on Fredrikstad. The Danish club, with a solid European pedigree, will be favourites to progress, while Fredrikstad will need to summon their best form to cause an upset.
Key matches at 17:00 include Wolfsberger AC versus PAOK, and Brann against Häcken. Both encounters are expected to be tightly contested, with Wolfsberger looking to leverage their home ground advantage against a well-organised PAOK side.
Drita will face FCSB at 18:00, while Maccabi Tel Aviv takes on Hamrun Spartans in a match that could see the Israeli side capitalising on their European experience. Shakhtar Donetsk will also be in action at the same time against Panathinaikos, where the Ukrainian giants are expected to dominate.
The evening’s fixtures culminate with Sporting Braga vs CFR Cluj at 18:30 and Legia Warszawa hosting AEK Larnaca at 19:00. Braga, known for their attacking prowess, will be keen to secure a strong home result, while Legia looks to assert dominance in front of their fans.
For bettors, expect close contests, particularly in the matches involving mid-tier teams like Drita and FCSB, where the odds could be tight. As the competition unfolds, this week’s fixtures set the stage for thrilling encounters in the pursuit of Europa League glory.