Europa League action is back on the agenda this week as the play-off first legs kick off around Europe, with a place in the Round of 16 up for grabs.
Much like the Champions League, the continent’s second competition has completed its exhaustive league phase and the biggest guns are already through, with Aston Villa, AS Roma, Lyon and Real Betis all in the last 16. But the Europa League 2026 betting odds also reckon Nottingham Forest, Bologna and VfB Stuttgart are all good for quarter final places; so let’s take a look at these three clubs and the teams which stand in their way this week.
Fenerbahce vs Nottingham Forest
At a pivotal point in their Premier League season, Nottingham Forest head to Istanbul for the first leg of a testing tie against one of Turkey’s most powerful clubs. Forest have just sacked their third manager of the campaign with the departure of Sean Dyche confirmed after his team drew 0-0 at home to bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers. And in a move which is a little odd, even for Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, the club has just appointed Vitor Pereira, who was sacked by bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers in November.
The Midlands club is in peril in the league, 17th and being hunted down by a resurgent West Ham United managed by Nuno Espirito Santo, the first head coach sacked by Marinakis this season! Forest had a decent Europa campaign though, finishing in a seeded position in 13th with four wins from eight.
Fenerbahce, managed by former Belgium head coach Domenico Tedesco ended up 19th with three wins, three draws and two defeats, and are currently second in the Turkish Super League and they boast a number of well travelled stars in their ranks. This will be a huge test for Forest and their latest boss.
Players to Watch
After his transfer from Barcelona, right wingback Nelson Semedo dazzled the Premier League in Wolves’ golden era and, with 48 caps for Portugal, he is a class act. Known for his pace, close control and dribbling skills the Fenerbahce man will give Forest’s defence a headache.
With six goals in the competition, Igor Jesus is a bright light in the Forest attack and he could be the man to fire them to the Round of 16. Jesus was in our SBOTOP pick of five stars who have dominated the Europa League 2026 highlights and the 24 year old Brazilian bagged a brace last time out.
Fenerbahce are favourites to win this leg at 2.33, with Forest at 3.25 and the Draw at 3.50.
Brann vs Bologna
At 24th in the UEFA League table, Brann were the surprise package, punching above their weight from the Norwegian League. They battled hard to win two, and draw three of their eight games, and now they meet Serie A side Bologna who landed just outside the automatic qualification places in tenth. With two wins, one draw and three defeats form their last six games in all competitions, the Rossoblu aren’t exactly pulling up trees but they should have too much quality for their hosts.
Players to Watch
22 year old Iceland international Eggert Aron Gudmundsson joined Brann from Elfsborg in the summer and he has made quite an impression, with five goals from 28 games in a central midfield position. A classy operator with composure on the ball and an appetite to get forward Gudmundsson has a bright future.
Former Azzurri star Federico Bernardeschi may be in the twilight of his career but, at 33 years of age he still has the speed, strength and hard working ethic him which won his 39 caps for Italy, and three Scudetto titles with Juventus.
Bologna are odds on favourites at 1.84 to win with Brann at 4.75 and the Draw at 3.65.
Celtic vs VfB Stuttgart
Scottish warriors Glasgow Celtic have the toughest tie of all in their play-off, after finishing in an un-seeded spot in 21st. When Stuttgart faced AS Roma on their penultimate group game they still had a chance to sneak into the top eight and avoid the lottery of the play-offs; but they fluffed it, losing 2-0 and so have more work to do to reach the final 16, ultimately finishing 11th. VfB are flying high in fourth in the Bundesliga table and have won five from their last six games in all competitions.
Celtic have met VfB before, beating them 5-4 on aggregate in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup back in 2003.
Players to Watch
Attacking midfielder Benjamin Nygren is the Scottish Premier League joint top scorer with 13 goals and three assists, and he has appeared for Sweden in the World Cup qualifiers. A strong and skilful ball player the 24 year old looks destined to go far.
Wit 21 goals in 45 games for Stuttgart, striker Denis Undav has already made a name for himself, with Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League and now in Germany, where he has scored three in six for the national side.
Stuttgart are the favourites to win this tie at odds of 2.15 with Celtic at 3.40 and the Draw at 3.77.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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