Europa League Matchday 4: Bournemouth, Palace and Sunderland in action, Malaysia kick-off times

The Europa League league phase reaches Matchday 4 on Thursday 5 November, with 17 matches across two kick-off slots. For fans in Malaysia that means very early starts on Friday morning: the first batch begins at 1.45am MYT and the second at 4am MYT. Three Premier League clubs are in action, and several big names need results. This is a preview; all of these games are still to be played.

Kick-off times in Malaysia

UEFA lists the early games at 18:45 CET, which is 1.45am on Friday 6 November in Malaysia (UTC+8):

• Milan v Ferencvaros
• Sparta Prague v Bournemouth
• Crystal Palace v Hoffenheim
• Lillestrom v Viktoria Plzen
• NEC Nijmegen v Omonia
• Levski Sofia v Jagiellonia
• Real Sociedad v Lyon
• Anderlecht v Salzburg

The later games are at 21:00 CET, which is 4am MYT on Friday:

• AZ Alkmaar v Juventus
• Bayer Leverkusen v Marseille
• Celtic v Besiktas
• Hapoel Beer-Sheva v OFI Crete
• Celta Vigo v Union Saint-Gilloise
• Torreense v Ararat-Armenia
• Sturm Graz v Celje
• Benfica v Lech Poznan
• Sunderland v Dinamo Zagreb

The 18th match of the round, Rennes v Olympiacos, was played on Wednesday and ended 0-0.

The English trio

Bournemouth head to Sparta Prague third in the 36-team table with a 100 per cent record from three games. Sparta are 16th and have struggled for goals.

Crystal Palace host Hoffenheim at Selhurst Park sitting 15th, with the German side eight places lower in 23rd. Palace's three European games so far have each produced at least four goals.

Sunderland are ninth and unbeaten in Europe, with seven points from wins over AZ Alkmaar (1-0) and Torreense (2-1) and a 1-1 draw at Lech Poznan. Domestic form is a different story: Regis Le Bris' side are bottom of the Premier League after seven games without a win. Their visitors, Dinamo Zagreb, are 18th on four points and are led by caretaker Jerko Leko after coach Mario Kovacevic's contract was terminated. Dinamo striker Dion Drena Beljo has 17 goals in 18 appearances this season. Sunderland are without Daniel Ballard, Romaine Mundle and Habib Diarra.

The other headline ties

Benfica top the table with nine points from three games and host Polish champions Lech Poznan, who have one point. Bayer Leverkusen, second with a perfect record, face a Marseille side yet to pick up a point and sitting 34th.

Celtic are in trouble. Three straight defeats leave them 35th with no points, and unbeaten Besiktas, eighth in the table, visit Glasgow. AZ Alkmaar and Juventus are separated by a single point as both chase a top-eight spot, while Milan host a Ferencvaros side that are among five teams with maximum points.

How the format works

All 36 teams play eight league-phase games. The top eight go straight into the round of 16, teams finishing ninth to 24th enter a knockout play-off, and the bottom 12 are eliminated. Matchday 5 follows on Thursday 26 November.

Key takeaways

• Seventeen Europa League games are played on Thursday 5 November, at 1.45am and 4am Malaysia time on Friday.
• Bournemouth (3rd, perfect record) visit Sparta Prague in the early slot.
• Sunderland, ninth and unbeaten in Europe, host Dinamo Zagreb at 4am MYT.
• Benfica and Leverkusen lead the table; Celtic and Marseille are still pointless.
• Matchday 5 is on 26 November.

FAQ

What time do Europa League games start in Malaysia on 5 November? The 18:45 CET games start at 1.45am on Friday 6 November in Malaysia, and the 21:00 CET games start at 4am MYT on Friday.

Which English clubs play in the Europa League this week? Bournemouth play away at Sparta Prague, Crystal Palace host Hoffenheim, and Sunderland host Dinamo Zagreb.

How many teams qualify from the Europa League league phase? The top 24 progress. The top eight go directly to the round of 16 and teams ranked ninth to 24th play in a knockout play-off round.

Sources: UEFA, Sports Mole, Paris Fans