Are you ready for February’s Europa League drama? This article previews the eight play‑off first‑leg ties on 19–20 Feb 2026, mixing form stats, injuries and a sprinkle of punter‑friendly humour.
Key takeaways
- Celtic host Stuttgart amid injury worries but strong home form
- Nottingham Forest travel to Fenerbahçe with several key players sidelined
- Brann face Bologna after mixed results for both sides
- Lille battle Crvena Zvezda in a tight, low‑scoring encounter
- Ludogorets meet Ferencváros as both teams seek consistency
- Panathinaikos vs Plzen may hinge on defensive solidity
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Europa League betting previews (19–20 Feb 2026)
Below, each tie gets its own conversational snapshot. After a quick form overview and injury check, you’ll find a bullet‑point tip to consider.
Brann v Bologna – Two sides seeking stability
Brann’s European adventure has been a rollercoaster. Recent results include a heavy defeat to Fenerbahçe and a draw with PAOK, but they also beat HamKam domestically. Bologna’s form isn’t much steadier; wins against Torino and Maccabi Tel Aviv are offset by losses to Parma and Genoa. Injuries look manageable: Bologna hope defender Torbjørn Heggem and wing‑back Charalambos Lykogiannis shake off knocks by late February, while Brann are without Niklas Castro and Sakarias Opsahl. Both sides can score but rarely keep clean sheets.
• Tip: Back over 2.5 goals – both sides’ defensive frailties suggest an open match.
Dinamo Zagreb v Genk – Battle of inconsistent performers
Dinamo’s recent run includes a 0–2 loss to Midtjylland and heavy defeats to Lille and Celta Vigo. Genk, by contrast, have beaten Mechelen, Anderlecht and Utrecht while drawing with Cercle Brugge. Dinamo are also hampered by injuries to midfielder Ismaël Bennacer and defender Raul Torrente. Genk’s injury report is relatively clear, with only minor issues from late 2025. With momentum on Genk’s side, expect them to control proceedings.
• Tip: Genk draw no bet – the Belgian side’s form gives them the edge, but caution is advised away from home.
Fenerbahçe v Nottingham Forest – East‑West tussle in Istanbul
Nottingham Forest return to European competition for the first time since 1995–96. They sit near the Premier League relegation zone and have numerous absentees: striker Chris Wood and goalkeeper Matz Sels are out, while defenders Murillo and Nicolo Savona are doubtful. Fenerbahçe have their own injury worries – Archie Brown, Edson Álvarez and several midfielders remain sidelined – but they come into this tie with four straight wins. With the Yellow Canaries’ home crowd roaring and Forest adapting to new coach Vítor Pereira, expect a lively contest.
• Tip: Back Fenerbahçe to win – Istanbul is a tough trip for a depleted Forest side.
PAOK v Celta Vigo – Greek fortress versus Spanish strugglers
PAOK are unbeaten in seven home games against Spanish opposition. Recent form shows stalemates with AEK Athens and Aris, but a 4–1 win over Panserraikos and a 2–0 triumph over Real Betis. Celta Vigo have drawn twice in La Liga and suffered a home defeat to Osasuna. Injuries for PAOK include midfielders Soualiho Meïté and Dimitrios Pelkas, plus winger Kiril Despodov; Giannis Konstantelias is suspended. Celta list Álvaro Núñez (groin) and several players with physical discomfort. The Greek side’s defensive solidity could frustrate the visitors.
• Tip: Under 2.5 goals – PAOK’s compact style and Celta’s scoring woes suggest a cagey match.
Celtic v Stuttgart – Memories of 2003 and a patched‑up home side
Celtic’s caretaker manager evoked the famous 2003 tie against Stuttgart, but present‑day issues loom large. They finished their group stage with three wins, two draws and three losses, beating Utrecht and Kilmarnock recently. Injuries have piled up: Adam Montgomery, Alistair Johnston, Arne Engels and others are sidelined, while defender Cameron Carter‑Vickers is out for the season. Stuttgart arrive in decent shape after beating Young Boys and sitting fourth in the Bundesliga; their main absentee is Dan‑Axel Zagadou. Celtic Park’s atmosphere will be electric, but the Germans may be more clinical.
• Tip: Both teams to score – Celtic’s attacking spark and defensive injuries point to goals at both ends.
Lille v Crvena Zvezda – Tight affair on French soil
Lille’s form has dipped: draws with Brest and Metz and defeats to Strasbourg and Celta Vigo. Crvena Zvezda scraped past Sturm Graz and FCSB but lack consistent away results. Lille’s injury list includes Thomas Meunier, Noah Edjouma, Ousmane Touré and Osame Sahraoui, while Crvena Zvezda’s only notable recent injury is Aleksandar Katai from 2025. Expect a low‑scoring, tactical match where home advantage might be decisive.
• Tip: Lille to win to nil – the French side’s defence should subdue a toothless Serbian attack.
Ludogorets v Ferencváros – Balkan showdown
Ludogorets’ group‑stage campaign included a 1–0 win over Nice but defeats to Rangers and Ferencváros. Ferencváros have been equally inconsistent, thumping Újpesti 3–0 but collapsing 0–4 at Nottingham Forest. Injuries hamper both sides: Ludogorets miss centre‑back Georgi Terziev and may still be without Aguibou Camara, while Ferencváros have long‑term absentee Stefan Gartenmann. This tie feels evenly matched.
• Tip: Draw – with both teams prone to inconsistency, honours could be shared.
Panathinaikos v Viktoria Plzen – Defence versus discipline
Panathinaikos have drawn three of their last six games, including 1–1 stalemates with Roma and Larissa. They are unbeaten at home since early autumn but will be without key players such as Cyriel Dessers, Facundo Pellistri and Pedro Chirivella. Viktoria Plzen’s group‑stage results include a 1–0 win over Basel and a string of goalless draws with Porto and Panathinaikos. The Czech club’s injury list is serious: goalkeeper Viktor Baier ruptured his Achilles in January, while centre‑backs Jan Paluska and Vaclav Mika are long‑term absentees. With both sides cautious, expect a tight contest.
• Tip: Under 2.5 goals – neither team scores freely, and defensive absences should prompt caution.
What is the Europa League?
The UEFA Europa League is Europe’s secondary club competition. It features teams that finish just below the Champions League spots in their domestic leagues and offers a route into the lucrative Champions League for the following season.
How do you choose a Europa League bet?
Look at recent form, injury news and head‑to‑head history. Consider whether teams are juggling domestic commitments and factor in travel, suspensions and tactical match‑ups. Betting should feel like solving a puzzle rather than tossing a coin.
How to find a good bet on Europa League matches (step‑by‑step)
- Check the fixtures
Identify where and when games are played. The Guardian’s fixture list shows that the play‑off first legs on 19 Feb 2026 include Brann v Bologna, Dinamo Zagreb v Genk, Fenerbahçe v Nottingham Forest and PAOK v Celta Vigo, followed later by Celtic v Stuttgart, Lille v Crvena Zvezda, Ludogorets v Ferencváros and Panathinaikos v Viktoria Plzen.
- Review form
Look at the last six results. For example, Ludogorets had a win over Nice but defeats to Rangers and draws with PAOK, while Ferencváros recently beat Újpesti and Paksi but suffered a heavy loss to Nottingham Forest.
- Investigate injuries
Examine injury lists. Celtic have several absentees including Arne Engels, Adam Montgomery, Alistair Johnston and defender Cameron Carter‑Vickers, while Fenerbahçe miss Archie Brown, Edson Álvarez and others.
- Consider travel and rotation
European trips can tire teams. Nottingham Forest are making their first European visit to Turkey in decades and may rotate to protect Premier League survival ambitions.
- Look for narrative angles
Use head‑to‑head history or managerial storylines. Celtic’s caretaker boss recalled their classic 2003 tie with Stuttgart, while PAOK remain unbeaten at home against Spanish sides.
- Set a budget
Bet responsibly and never chase losses.
- Compare bookmakers
For the best value, explore our bookmakers page and bonuses guide.
Frequently asked questions
We don’t quote odds because they fluctuate and vary between bookmakers. Instead, we highlight form and context so you can decide when to visit a trusted bookmaker.
As of mid‑February 2026, clubs dropping from the Champions League like Roma and Real Betis are among the favourites, but knockout phases can produce surprises.
Injuries are based on current reports; players can return sooner or later than expected. Always check late team news before placing bets.
Our sports betting guide covers odds formats, bankroll management and common bet types.
Yes, the Europa League is widely covered by UK bookmakers. Check out our bonuses page for welcome offers and promotions.
Final thoughts
The Europa League play‑off first legs on 19–20 February 2026 promise drama and value for canny punters. Celtic’s home advantage, PAOK’s defensive wall, and Fenerbahçe’s raucous supporters provide intriguing storylines. Research is key: dig into form, injuries and historical quirks before placing your bets. For more insights and daily picks, visit our betting tips page or explore our comprehensive FAQ if you’re new to wagering.
As always, bet responsibly and enjoy the beautiful game!
