Guide for teams in scramble for Europa League berths

ATHLETIC BILBAO need to turn around a first leg home loss in tomorrow’s Europa League playoff second leg action to book their spot in the group stage with Borussia Dortmund, Southampton and Ajax also looking to advance. Here are seven things to look out for among the 22 ties in the final round before the group stage:

1. In Bilbao, Athletic will be bidding to turn around a 3-2 loss at Slovak side MSK Zilina where the beaten 2012 finalists threw away a two-goal lead.

Ernesto Valverde’s side will be looking for a boost following a loss in their opening match of La Liga, falling 1-0 at home to Barcelona last weekend.

2. In Germany, Borussia Dortmund look to continue their dream start to the season under new coach Thomas Tuchel and build on their remarkable 4-3 comeback win from three goals down after 22 minutes away to Norwegian side Odd.

3. At Herning, Southampton have work to do if they want to join Tottenham and Liverpool and make it three English clubs in the group stage after being held 1-1 by Danish champions Midtjylland at St Mary’s last week.

4. In Istanbul, Turkish league runners-up Fenerbahce will be looking to build on their away-goal advantage after Robin van Persie scored his first goal for the club since joining the Turkish club from Manchester United. The 1-0 victory away to Greek side Atromitos in Athens leaves the 2013 semifinalists primed to clinch a place in the group stage in the return leg.

5. Dutch giants Ajax travel to Czech minnows Jablonec with all still to play for. Frank de Boer’s side failed to build on a penalty scored nine minutes into the second half when Arkadiusz Milik converted after Vit Benes’s foul on Davy Klaassen in the box but Jaroslav Silhavy’s side threatened in the later stages.

6. Romanian champions Steaua Bucharest have an uphill battle at Swedish club Rosenborg who look set to advance after a 3-0 victory which leaves the Trondheim side with one foot in the group stage. 7. French club Bordeaux face the longest journey in the competition as they carry a 1-0 advantage to Kazakh side Kairat Almaty thanks to a first half goal from Tunisian striker Wahbi Khazri in western France.