With the Europa League Round of 16 getting underway on Thursday, plenty of European heavyweights will be looking to lay down their respective first-leg statements.
As Aston Villa travel over to France when they meet Lille, the likes of Italian icons Roma will also steal centre stage in midweek.
For those of you looking to stick on a Thursday acca, we have taken a glance at some of the most eye-catching Europa League betting tips.
Thursday, March 12th
BST 17:45 Stuttgart vs Porto
Although Stuttgart might have struggled to find much stability over the past month, Sebastian Hoeneb’s side did extend on their Europa League charge thanks to a dramatic 4-2 aggregate win against Scottish giants Celtic.
With their sights firmly set on securing a lucrative Champions League ticket in 2026, Die Roten will know the importance of claiming a first-leg advantage on Thursday evening.
Despite being left disappointed on February 26th as they fell to a second-leg 1-0 loss at home against Celtic, Stuttgart will certainly be excited by their overall success at the MHPArena.
Last seen in front of their own supporters storming their way to a 4-0 romp against Wolfsburg, Thursday’s hosts have won each of their other four showdowns in Baden-Wurttemberg. It should also be noted, the Reds have suffered just a sole defeat at the MHPArena across any competition since the start of December.
Enduring what has been a frustrating fortnight at the Estadio do Dragao, Porto travel to Germany on Thursday evening pencilled in as a real underdog contender.
Suffering a major second-half collapse last time out as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate against arch-rivals Benfica, Francesco Farioli’s side have also shown some extended worrying issues on the road.
Including a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Casa Pia on February 2nd, the Dragons have registered just a sole victory from any of their previous five showdowns on their travels across all competitions.
Likewise, registering just a pair of clean sheets from any of their last eight outings, the former Ajax boss should be bracing himself for what should be another tricky test away from the Estadio do Dragao.
Betting Tip: Deniz Undav over 0.5 shots on target @ 2/5
17:45 Panathinaikos vs Real Betis
While Panathinaikos might open their Round of 16 adventure on Thursday evening pencilled in as a real underdog contender, the Shamrocks are enjoying what has become a major domestic flurry.
Now collecting consecutive 4-1 victories against Levadiakos and OFI Crete, Rafa Benitez’s men certainly find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high and they are more than capable of asking some serious questions here.
Extending on their Europa League adventure on February 26th as they edged past Plzen thanks to a nail-biting penalty shootout victory in the Czech Republic, Panathinaikos have now won all of their previous five appearances across all competitions.
Finding a major clinical edge in the final third, the former Newcastle boss will know the importance of claiming an essential first-leg advantage on home soil.
Although Real Betis might have their sights set on mounting a genuine Europa League title charge over the next couple of months, Manuel Pellegrini’s men are seeking some recent stability.
Failing to pick up some momentum over the weekend as they eventually fell to a toothless 2-0 loss away at Getafe, the one-time Manchester City boss has seen his squad win just a pair of their previous six appearances across all competitions.
Crashing out of the Copa del Rey on February 5th following a 5-0 drumming at home against Atletico Madrid, Thursday’s guests have also shown some recent defensive struggles.
Facing what could be a tricky first-leg challenge when they travel to Greece in midweek, Real Betis have registered just a sole clean sheet from any of their last 10 outings.
Betting Tip: Andrews Tetteh Over 0.5 shots on target @ 21/20
20:00 Celta Vigo vs Lyon
While Celta Vigo might have suffered major last-gasp heartbreak at home against Spanish icons Real Madrid last time out as they eventually fell to a 2-1 loss in Galicia, the Sky Blues should take plenty of positives away from what has been an eye-catching turn in fortunes over the past few weeks.
Extending on their Europa League adventure on February 26th as they secured a 3-1 aggregate victory against PAOK, Claudio Giraldez’s side have won each of their other four appearances across all competitions.
Likewise, despite suffering major heartbreak at the hands of Los Blancos last time out, Celta should be excited by their overall success on home soil.
Getting the New Year underway with a dominant 4-1 romp against Valencia, Giraldez’s camp have won six of their last eight showdowns in front of their own supporters and they will know the importance of claiming a first-leg advantage.
Enjoying what was a sensational 13-match winning run across all competitions on either side of opening 2026, Lyon had rightfully received a string of plaudits from across the continent.
However, missing out on what they had billed as a potential opportunity over the weekend as they had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate at home against Paris FC, Paulo Fonseca’s side are searching for some recent stability.
Getting March underway with a rollercoaster 3-2 defeat at the hands of bitter domestic rivals Marseille, Lyon have failed to win any of their previous four appearances across all competitions – their longest winless run since back in November.
Nevertheless, embarking on a stunning group stage romp this season, it should be highlighted that the former Roma boss saw his title dreamers win seven of their eight European showdown.
Betting Tip: Both teams to score @ 19/20
Our Thursday Europa League Accumulator:
- Stuttgart vs Porto – Deniz Undav over 0.5 shots on target @ 2/5
- Panathinaikos vs Real Betis – Andrews Tetteh Over 0.5 shots on target @ 21/20
- Celta Vigo vs Lyon – Both teams to score @ 19/20
Place a £10 bet on our accumulator with Vegas Land and pocket £55.97 if all predictions are correct.
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