STRUGGLERS NEED TO FIND A WAY TO WIN

For some heavyweight clubs the Europa competitions are proving a tricky balancing act and as the groups hit halfway this week big clubs such as Leicester and Napoli risk falling hard.

Leicester thrashed Manchester United 4-2 in the Premier League on Saturday but manager Brendan Rodgers’ habit of resting players in Europe means they are last in Group C on one point as they travel to Moscow to face Spartak.

Leicester started a reserve team for their visit to eastern Europe on the second match day, did not manage a shot on target and lost 1-0 in Warsaw.

Leicester have surprising company at the foot of Group C. Napoli are top of Serie A after winning all eight of their domestic league matches — a winning goal from Nigerian international forward Victor Osimhen kept that record alive against Torino on Sunday — but are yet to win in the Europa League.

In the last round they played 60 minutes with 10 men and lost 3-2 at home to Spartak. Today they need to win in Warsaw against leaders Legia.

Other heavyweights who are winless in the Europa League include Rangers, Marseille and Real Sociedad. Rangers are already six points behind Group A leaders Lyon but can make up ground as they host fellow stragglers Brondby.