Europa League Betting Tips: 26 February 2026

Key takeaways (TL;DR)

• Ferencvaros boast a strong home record against a travelling Ludogorets side on a hot streak.
• Red Star Belgrade are in fine form while injury‑hit Lille have struggled in Europe.
• Celtic’s resilience under Martin O’Neill meets Stuttgart’s home advantage; goals look likely.
• Plzen have kept 13 clean sheets in 18 home games, while Panathinaikos often draw away.
• Injury‑ravaged Brann visit a Bologna side desperate to bounce back.
• Genk lead 3‑1 on aggregate but Dinamo Zagreb’s away form keeps the tie alive

Europa League match previews and betting angles

The Europa League knockout round is always unpredictable. The second legs on Thursday 26 February 2026 feature a mix of sides with contrasting fortunes. Here’s our conversational take on each tie, sprinkled with anecdotes and cautious optimism.

Ferencvaros v Ludogorets: fortress versus form team?

Ferencvaros return to Budapest with a reputation for resilience; they have avoided defeat in 16 of their last 20 home Europa League games and kept clean sheets in 43 per cent of their recent home matches. Their visitors, Ludogorets, arrive unbeaten in six games and with a habit of frustrating opponents. However, the Bulgarians have lost 20 of their last 40 matches in this competition and will be without midfield anchor Pedro Naressi due to suspension. Expect the hosts to start fast, but don’t underestimate Ludogorets’ counter‑attacking threat.

• Tip: Back Ferencvaros to win or draw – their home strength could edge a close contest.

Red Star Belgrade v Lille: can Les Dogues recover in Belgrade?

Crvena Zvezda (Red Star) are purring, winning 83 per cent of their last six games and half of their last four Europa League home ties. In February they have scored 15 and conceded just two. Lille, by contrast, have lost 67 per cent of their recent Europa League matches and haven’t travelled well. A long injury list means manager Paulo Fonseca has limited options, while Red Star’s coach can rotate without weakening the side. Belgrade’s atmosphere is notorious – remember their raucous win over Liverpool a few years back? – and that could unsettle the visitors.

• Tip: Home win – Red Star’s form and Lille’s injuries point toward another Serbian celebration.

Stuttgart v Celtic: goals galore in Germany?

Celtic are unbeaten in ten games under Martin O’Neill, racking up eight wins. They finished 21st in the league phase but found ways to score late, often via stoppage‑time drama. Stuttgart sit fourth in the Bundesliga and will relish hosting the second leg; their home performances have been far stronger than their away record. The Swabians do have defensive absentees, while Celtic’s backline is also stretched with Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter‑Vickers injured. With two attack‑minded coaches on the touchline, we could see chances at both ends.

• Tip: Both teams to score – Celtic never stop pressing and Stuttgart’s forwards thrive at home.

Viktoria Plzen v Panathinaikos: will home discipline prevail?

The first leg in Athens finished 2–2 after a late equaliser. Viktoria Plzen remain unbeaten in 18 of their last 20 home Europa League matches, keeping 13 clean sheets. Panathinaikos have a decent away record, avoiding defeat in 12 of their last 15 and drawing five of their last ten on the road, but their attack has lacked punch recently. The Czechs also conceded only three goals in the league phase, so they’ll be confident of keeping it tight.

• Tip: Under 2.5 goals – expect a cagey encounter decided by one moment of quality.

Bologna v Brann: injury crisis meets out‑of‑form hosts

Brann scraped into the knockout phase and have just one point from their last three European games. To make matters worse, the Norwegian side travel without several key players, including Saevar Atli Magnusson and Niklas Castro. Bologna finished ahead of them in the league phase despite winning only two of their last 13 Serie A matches, yet home advantage and superior squad depth matter on long European nights. Manager Thiago Motta will remind his players of their 3–0 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv that sealed qualification.

• Tip: Back Bologna – Brann’s injury crisis and poor form point to a comfortable home victory.

Celta Vigo v PAOK: will pragmatism or ambition prevail?

These sides have mirrored form, each recording two wins, three draws and one loss in recent games. Celta play vertical football, averaging 1.33 goals and conceding 1.00, with 12 shots per game; at home they have won two of their last three and fire off 15 shots on average. PAOK defend sturdily, conceding only 0.50 goals per match and staying unbeaten in ten of their last twelve away trips. However, key playmaker Andrija Zivkovic is suspended. Celta are also missing Fer López and Óscar Mingueza, so expect a tactical duel rather than a shoot‑out.

• Tip: Draw or under 2.5 goals – both sides may cancel each other out.

Genk v Dinamo Zagreb: can the visitors mount a comeback?

Genk carry a 3–1 advantage from Zagreb thanks to Zakaria El Ouahdi’s brace and Bryan Heynen’s strike. The Belgians have won five of their last six matches, scoring two goals per game and creating over 20 shots at home. Yet they have been winless in eight of their last ten Europa League home fixtures. Dinamo, for their part, have won three, drawn one and lost two recently, and are unbeaten in five of their last six away games. Striker Dion Beljo, who netted in the first leg, is suspended, which puts pressure on the likes of Miha Zajc and Ivan Misic to supply goals.

• Tip: Both teams to score – Genk’s open home style and Dinamo’s need to attack promise goals.

Nottingham Forest v Fenerbahce: will new faces tilt the balance?

Fenerbahce have stormed to four straight league wins, scoring eleven times and staying unbeaten domestically. New signings N’Golo Kanté and Matteo Guendouzi add steel to a midfield already featuring prolific forward Talisca and winger Kerem Akturkoglu, who have contributed 80 per cent of their Europa League goals. Nottingham Forest’s season has been chaotic; they finished mid‑table in the league phase and collected only five away points. A managerial change means Vítor Pereira is still embedding his ideas, and injuries to Chris Wood, Willy Boly and others further weaken the visitors. Yet English sides have historically struggled in Istanbul, and Fenerbahce have only four wins against them in 21 attempts.

• Tip: Over 2.5 goals – Fenerbahce’s firepower and Forest’s fragile defence could produce an entertaining match.

What are Europa League betting tips?

Europa League betting tips are informed predictions and guidance on upcoming Europa League matches, grounded in team form, injuries, tactics and historical data. They help punters make more educated choices when placing bets.

How do you approach betting on Europa League matches?

Betting on mid‑season European fixtures can feel like solving a jigsaw. Teams juggle domestic duties with European commitments, injuries pile up and rotations create surprises. It pays to look beyond league tables and consider recent performances, absences and tactical set‑ups. Reading an expert preview is a start, but you should also stay updated on late team news and, crucially, set a budget you can afford to lose. Not every underdog wins, yet shocks are part of this competition’s charm.

How to place a Europa League bet

What should you consider when choosing a UK bookmaker?

When selecting a bookie, think about more than just welcome offers. Do they provide competitive odds on Europa League markets? Are cash‑out and live betting available? Is customer service responsive? And don’t forget to look at responsible‑gambling tools such as deposit limits and time‑out options. Our Ultimate UK Sports Betting Guide breaks down these factors in detail.

What are the risks of football betting?

Football betting is fun when kept in check, but it carries risks. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and stake more than you planned. Upsets happen – even dominant teams lose occasionally – and emotional betting can lead to poor decisions. Set limits, keep records and never chase losses. If gambling stops being enjoyable, seek help through organisations such as GamCare.

FAQs

For more information about sports betting basics, visit our FAQ page or explore our online casino guide for a different type of gaming experience.