With the 2025/26 Europa League group stage drawing to a close on Thursday night, the race for a knockout stage ticket has gone right down to the wire.
Watching the likes of Premier League high-flyers Aston Villa steal centre stage in midweek, we have a stacked schedule from across the continent.
For those of you looking to stick on a Thursday flutter, we have taken a glance at some of the most attractive Europa League betting tips.
Thursday, January 29th
BST 20:00 Aston Villa vs Salzburg
Putting in another stellar performance over the weekend as they secured an eye-catching 2-0 victory away at Newcastle, Aston Villa have embarked on a public fairytale this season.
Along with sitting in bronze medal position among England’s elite, Unai Emery’s men also suddenly find themselves just four points adrift of top spot.
Likewise, securing a 1-0 win away at Turkish giants Fenerbahce last weekend, the former PSG boss has his sights set on mounting a genuine European charge over the coming months.
Widely regarded as a standout Europa League contender in 2026, Aston Villa have already cruise their way to a knockout stage ticket.
In fact, Emery’s side have won six of their seven European appearances this season and they will be confident of signing off their group stage adventure with another flurry. It’s also worth highlighting, Thursday’s hosts have won 11 of their previous 12 showdowns in the Midlands across all formats.
While Salzburg might have put in a rampant performance last week as they secured a 3-1 victory at home against Basel, the Red Bulls are seeking a major European miracle on Thursday night.
Travelling over to the Midlands for their group stage finale sat two points adrift of the play-off places, Thomas Letsch’s side couldn’t have asked for a tougher challenge in midweek.
Pencilled in as a real underdog on foreign soil, Salzburg have also gained a reputation for their glaring European issues away from the Red Bull Arena.
Including a woeful 4-1 drumming at the hands of Bologna on November 27th, Letsch’s camp have lost each of their three Europa League showdowns on the road by an aggregate score of 7-1.
Mustering just a sole clean sheet on their travels over the past three months, the Austrian giants couldn’t have asked for a tougher challenge when they travel to the Midlands on Thursday night.
Betting Tip: Aston Villa win & Both teams to score @ 19/10
20:00 Stuttgart vs BSC Young Boys
Eventually falling to a 2-0 loss away at Italian giants Roma last week, Stuttgart will certainly be excited to make a return to home soil here.
Claiming an immediate response over the weekend as they stored their way to an emphatic 3-0 romp against Borussia Monchengladbach, Sebastian Hoeneb’s men will be dreaming of a repeat performance on Thursday night.
Getting the New Year underway with a sensational 4-1 victory away at former German champions Bayer Leverkusen, Die Roten have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous eight appearances across all competitions.
Skyrocketing up the Bundesliga standings and suddenly at the heart of a genuine Champions League charge, Stuttgart will be looking to sign off their group stage adventure with a statement of intent. It should also be highlighted, the midweek hosts have rightfully gained a reputation for their extended success at the MHPArena.
Including an action-packed 3-2 win against Eintracht Frankfurt earlier in the month, Hoeneb’s camp have suffered just a sole defeat in front of their own supporters since way back in April 2025.
While BSC Young Boys might travel to Germany for their group stage finale sat firmly in the driving seat to punch a play-off ticket, Gerardo Seoane’s men are at the heart of what has become an infamous rut.
Shockingly getting blow away over the weekend as they slumped to an infamous 4-1 drumming away at Thun, the Swiss outfit have come under plenty of recent scrutiny.
Putting in a toothless performance at the Wankdorf Stadium last week as they suffered a 1-0 loss at home against French high-flyers Lyon, the former Bayer Leverkusen boss has seen his downbeat squad lose all of their five showdowns across all competitions on either side of opening the New Year.
Heading into Switzerland’s festive break with a routine 3-0 defeat against Lugano, Thursday’s guests have also continued to show some rather glaring defensive issues.
Including a 6-2 loss against Grasshoppers on December 17th, BSC Young Boys have shipped 17 goals on their five-match losing rut and they look set for what is another stern examination here.
Betting Tip: Bilal El Khannouss over 0.5 shots on target @ 21/20
20:00 Lille vs Freiburg
While Lille might have enjoyed an eye-catching flurry on either side of opening the New Year, Bruno Genesio’s men have come crashing back down to earth in a worrying fashion.
Despite being sat firmly in the driving seat to punch a top-24 spot on Thursday night, the Mastiffs have come under plenty of recent scrutiny.
Last seen over the weekend putting in another nightmare display as they slumped to a 4-1 drumming at home against Strasbourg, Lille have the feel of a squad who are desperately searching for an essential boost.
Likewise, hit with a 2-1 Europa League defeat when they travelled to Spanish outfit Celta Vigo last week, Genesio’s side have now lost all of their previous five consecutive appearances since opening the New Year by an aggregate score of 13-3.
Likewise, it should also be highlighted that Thursday’s hosts have shipped eight goals in their last three showdowns in front of their owns supporters.
Embarking on what has been a real Europa League fairytale this season, Freiburg have rightfully received a string of plaudits from across the continent.
Securing a 1-0 victory at home against Maccabi Tel Aviv, Julian Schuster’s men have already stormed their way to a knockout stage ticket and haven’t had to get out of third gear.
Opening their group stage finale sat in bronze medal position, Thursday’s guests have registered 17 points from their seven European appearances and the mood in their camp remains at a red-hot high.
Looking to lay down another Europa League marker on foreign soil, Freiburg have also lost just a pair of their previous 12 matchups across all competitions – a run that stems back to November 22nd.
However, last seen on their travels playing out a thrilling 2-2 stalemate against Augsburg, Schuster’s side have shipped 16 goals in their previous six matchups on the road.
Betting Tip: Both teams to score @ 4/5
Our Thursday Europa League Accumulator:
- Aston Villa vs Salzburg -Aston Villa win & Both teams to score @ 19/10
- Stuttgart vs BSC Young Boys – Bilal El Khannouss over 0.5 shots on target @ 21/20
- Lille vs Freiburg – Both teams to score @ 4/5
Place a £10 bet on our accumulator with Vegas Land and pocket £107.01 if all predictions are correct.
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