Thursday

Stoke City are preparing for the start of what they hope will be a long and successful European journey when they face Hadjuk Split at the Britannia Stadium (Stoke 1/2, draw 13/5, Hadjuk 9/2).

This will be the first European tie for the Potters since 1974 and the Staffordshire club have come a long way in those 37 years.

Now heading into their fourth season in the top flight, Stoke have established themselves as a Premier League side under their manager Tony Pulis.

What has stopped the club from dropping down into the Championship has been their impressive home form at the Britannia, where even the Premier League’s top clubs don’t like to play.

With loud passionate fans who get behind their players this will be an intimidating atmosphere for their Croatian opponents.

Hadjuk have just got their domestic season off and running and sit in fourth place in the table after a victory on the first day of the campaign.

They will be looking to go back to Poljud Stadium with something to play for but the Potters, backed by their home fans, should take a lead to Croatia.

Fulham also have Croatian opposition on their hands when they travel to the Park Mladezi Stadium to take on RNK Split (RNK Split 5/1,draw 13/5, Fulham 1/3).

The Cottagers have already got their competitive season underway after seeing off Crusaders and NSI Runavik in earlier rounds, so they are getting used to these European nights.

Fulham have added to their squad this summer as they look to have another successful season in the Premier League and Europe.

Former Liverpool defender John Arne Riise is one of the latest players to sign for the London club and his experience will be invaluable for this away trip.

Manager Martin Jol knows what these nights are all about and Fulham will be happy to be level pegging when they head back to Craven Cottage.

Edinburgh outfit Hearts get their Europa League campaign off and running when they travel to Hungary to take on Paks at the Stadion PSE (Pak 8/5, draw 11/5, Hearts 7/5).

However, they will do so without the aid of Andy Webster and Mehdi Taouil, who are out through injury, while David Obua is a doubt as he is currently dealing with passport issues.

The Uganda international, who scored against SPL champions Rangers on the opening day of the domestic season, is frantically trying to sort his papers so he can play in Hungary.

After what looks like a promising start to the season with the draw at Ibrox, Hearts will be full of confidence they can get a result against Paks.

The SPL side have had a tendency to come unstuck against continental sides, however they might just nick an away victory in this one.

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