The Europa League sparks into action on Wednesday evening with nine matches and there is British interest as Sunderland hope to get their European campaign off to a flyer against AZ Alkmaar at the Stadium of Light.

AC Milan host Benfica in a crunch clash at the San Siro, while Bayer Leverkusen, Celta Vigo, Lyon, Olympiacos and Rennes are other big names on show.

With four EFL Cup fixtures, including Manchester United at home to Brighton, and Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Sevilla all in La Liga action, there is plenty to look forward to.

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Barcelona vs Racing Santander - Barcelona to win & both teams to score @ 21/20

Barcelona are a perfect five from five in their La Liga title defence and Sunday’s 4-2 success at Levante took their tally of league goals to 21.

Raphinha and Lamine Yamal each already have six goals apiece for the La Liga season and that spells trouble for Racing Santander, who have lost on away trips to Getafe and Rayo Vallecano. 

Barca also won 5-1 at home to Feyenoord in their Champions League opener and they will be looking to go through the gears against the promoted visitors.

That said, Barca’s embarrassment of attacking riches can sometimes leave them vulnerable defensively and they have conceded in three of their last four.

Racing have made a decent start back in La Liga, taking seven points from five games, but they've both scored and conceded nine goals, and trying to go toe-to-toe with the Catalan giants should see them picked off. 

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Manchester United vs Brighton - Both teams to score, Benjamin Sesko anytime goalscorer & Andrey Santos to be shown a card @ 9/1

Both teams will be expected to make changes for this EFL Cup third-round encounter but that shouldn't take away from the entertainment.

The net has bulged at each end in four of the last five meetings between the teams, while Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko has scored in seven of his last 11 appearances at Old Trafford.

Red Devils boss Michael Carrick may opt to hand a start in midfield to Andrey Santos, who was cautioned eight times in 26 starts for Chelsea last season.

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Atletico Madrid to beat Osasuna, Sunderland to beat AZ Alkmaar, Sheffield United to beat Fleetwood & Aston Villa to beat Coventry @ 13/2

Atletico Madrid produced their best performance of the season in Sunday's 3-0 win at Real Sociedad and can follow up at home to Osasuna, who have suffered back-to-back La Liga defeats to Alaves and Espanyol.

The Stadium of Light should be rocking for Sunderland's Europa League bow against AZ Alkmaar and the hosts can mark the occasion with a victory. 

The Dutch side were comfortably beaten 3-1 by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in last season's Conference League and the Black Cats look set to pounce.

Championship side Sheffield United can make the two-division gap with Fleetwood count in the third round of the EFL Cup while Aston Villa can claim a much-needed lift by progressing against Coventry, who have lost all four of their Premier League games without scoring.

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