The Europa League returns with a thrilling week of action featuring some of Europe's most exciting teams. Aston Villa vs Bologna headlines Thursday's action, while Roma vs Nice and Real Betis vs Nottingham Forest provide plenty of betting value across both days.
Wednesday's Key Fixtures
FC Midtjylland vs SK Sturm Graz
Kickoff: 17:45 BST | Odds: Midtjylland 8/11, Draw 13/4, Sturm Graz 7/2
Danish champions Midtjylland are favorites against Austrian side Sturm Graz. The home advantage and superior quality should see Midtjylland through, but Sturm Graz's 7/2 odds offer excellent value.
Value Pick: Midtjylland 8/11 - Solid home favorites with good value
PAOK Salonika vs Maccabi Tel Aviv
Kickoff: 17:45 BST | Odds: PAOK 4/6, Draw 3/1, Maccabi 17/4
Greek side PAOK are strong favorites against Israeli champions Maccabi Tel Aviv. The home advantage and superior quality should see PAOK through, but Maccabi's 17/4 odds offer excellent value.
Value Pick: PAOK 4/6 - Solid home favorites with good value
Braga vs Feyenoord
Kickoff: 20:00 BST | Odds: Braga 13/10, Draw 13/5, Feyenoord 28/13
Portuguese side Braga are slight favorites against Dutch giants Feyenoord. This is a closely contested affair with both teams having similar quality and European experience.
Value Pick: Feyenoord 28/13 - Excellent value for a team with superior quality
Crvena Zvezda vs Celtic
Kickoff: 20:00 BST | Odds: Zvezda 7/4, Draw 13/5, Celtic 17/11
Serbian champions Zvezda are slight favorites against Scottish giants Celtic. This is a closely contested affair with both teams having similar quality and European experience.
Value Pick: Celtic 17/11 - Excellent value for a team with superior quality
Nice vs Roma
Kickoff: 20:00 BST | Odds: Nice 21/10, Draw 5/2, Roma 5/4
Italian giants Roma are favorites against French side Nice. This is a closely contested affair with both teams having similar quality and European experience.
Value Pick: Roma 5/4 - Solid favorites with good value
Real Betis vs Nottingham Forest
Kickoff: 20:00 BST | Odds: Betis 6/4, Draw 5/2, Forest 19/10
Spanish side Real Betis are slight favorites against English side Nottingham Forest. This is a closely contested affair with both teams having similar quality and European experience.
Value Pick: Forest 19/10 - Excellent value for a team with superior quality
Thursday's Key Fixtures
Aston Villa vs Bologna
Kickoff: 20:00 BST | Odds: Villa 3/4, Draw 3/1, Bologna 17/4
English side Aston Villa are strong favorites against Italian side Bologna. The home advantage and superior quality should see Villa through, but Bologna's 17/4 odds offer excellent value.
Value Pick: Villa 3/4 - Solid home favorites with good value
FC Utrecht vs Lyon
Kickoff: 20:00 BST | Odds: Utrecht 12/5, Draw 14/5, Lyon 11/10
French side Lyon are favorites against Dutch side Utrecht. This is a closely contested affair with both teams having similar quality and European experience.
Value Pick: Lyon 11/10 - Solid favorites with good value
Rangers vs Genk
Kickoff: 20:00 BST | Odds: Rangers 16/11, Draw 11/4, Genk 2/1
Scottish side Rangers are slight favorites against Belgian side Genk. This is a closely contested affair with both teams having similar quality and European experience.
Value Pick: Genk 2/1 - Excellent value for a team with superior quality
Salzburg vs FC Porto
Kickoff: 20:00 BST | Odds: Salzburg 23/10, Draw 11/4, Porto 6/5
Portuguese side Porto are favorites against Austrian side Salzburg. This is a closely contested affair with both teams having similar quality and European experience.
Value Pick: Porto 6/5 - Solid favorites with good value
Europa League Futures Betting
Europa League Winner
- Aston Villa: 13/2 (13.3% implied probability)
- Roma: 10/1 (9.1% implied probability)
- FC Porto: 11/1 (8.3% implied probability)
- Nottingham Forest: 11/1 (8.3% implied probability)
Aston Villa are the favorites to win the Europa League, with their superior quality and Premier League experience giving them the edge.
To Reach The Final
- Aston Villa: 13/5 (27.8% implied probability)
- Roma: 4/1 (20.0% implied probability)
- Nottingham Forest: 9/2 (18.2% implied probability)
- Real Betis: 9/2 (18.2% implied probability)
Aston Villa are the favorites to reach the final, with their superior quality and Premier League experience giving them the edge.
Key Betting Strategies
Value Betting Opportunities
The Europa League offers excellent value betting opportunities, with many teams having similar quality and European experience. Look for:
- Underdog teams with good European pedigree
- Home advantage in closely contested matches
- Teams with superior technical ability
- Value in both teams to score markets
Tactical Considerations
The Europa League features teams with different styles and approaches, making tactical analysis crucial:
- Possession-based teams vs counter-attacking sides
- High pressing vs defensive organization
- Technical ability vs physical strength
- European experience vs domestic form
Expert Predictions
This week's Europa League action promises to be exciting, with several closely contested matches and excellent betting value. Aston Villa vs Bologna headlines Thursday's action, while Roma vs Nice and Real Betis vs Nottingham Forest provide plenty of opportunities for value betting.
The key to success in Europa League betting is identifying value in underdog teams with good European pedigree, while also considering home advantage and tactical matchups. With so many closely contested matches, there are plenty of opportunities for profitable betting.
Top Value Picks
- Feyenoord 28/13 vs Braga - Excellent value for superior quality
- Celtic 17/11 vs Zvezda - Good value for Scottish giants
- Forest 19/10 vs Real Betis - Excellent value for English side
- Genk 2/1 vs Rangers - Good value for Belgian side