The UEFA Europa League participants are just one step away from the quarter-finals. Notably, no match features a lead of at least two goals for either side, so this evening promises plenty of intrigue. To make it even more interesting for you to follow each game, the TipsGG analytics team has prepared a digest with the most appealing betting options for Thursday, March 19.
Midtjylland vs Nottingham
In Herning, the home side will try to hold on to their sensational narrow win from the first leg in order to reach the Europa League quarter-finals.
In the latest round of the Danish Superliga, the “Wolves” suffered their first home defeat of the season, losing to Nordsjælland (0:1). However, head coach Mike Tullberg deliberately rested several key players, keeping them fresh for the return leg. In European competitions, Midtjylland look very confident at home – the team is among those with the maximum number of home wins, conceding just one goal.
Nottingham, under their new manager, are going through a difficult spell – six matches without a win in all competitions (2 draws and 4 losses). The situation is further complicated by an upcoming crucial league match against a direct rival in the fight for survival. At the same time, it is unlikely that the “Reds” will easily give up their only chance to qualify for European competitions next season via winning the Europa League.
Bet: Midtjylland to win by exactly one goal or draw (odds 2.08)
I expect the hosts to rely on a well-organized defense and pragmatic football, trying to hold the desired result. With such a game plan, Midtjylland are вполне capable of avoiding defeat and imposing their scenario on the opponent once again.
Lyon vs Celta
Young Brazilian talent Endrick helped Lyon secure a positive result at Balaídos (1:1). After a fast start, Celta managed to take an early lead, but in the second half the pressure from the French club increased, especially after Borja Iglesias was sent off. It must be frustrating for goalkeeper Ionuț Radu: he made numerous saves during the second half, but the Brazilian’s goal came as a result of his mistake.
After the European fixture, “Les Gones” played another Ligue 1 match – an away trip to Le Havre (0:0). Paulo Fonseca made six changes to the starting lineup compared to the game against Celta. Their winless run in the league now stands at four matches, which has pushed Lyon out of the Champions League spots.
The Vigo side also stayed busy, traveling to Seville where they drew with Real Betis (1:1) in Matchday 28 of La Liga. In the league, the “Sky Blues” are sixth.
Bet: Under 2.5 total goals (odds 1.8)
I think there won’t be many goals in this match: Celta are an experienced side and will be able to contain the hosts. The closer it gets to the final whistle, the less risk both teams will take – a goalless scenario is quite possible.
Freiburg vs Genk
Freiburg, who are winless in their last four matches, will host Genk, who have been showing fairly confident form recently with 3 wins in their last 5 games.
In the previous Bundesliga round, the team suffered only their second home defeat of the season, somewhat unexpectedly losing to Union Berlin (0:1). At the same time, it is worth noting that during the league phase Freiburg were among six teams that won all their home matches. Moreover, Julian Schuster’s side had one of the best defenses in the competition, conceding only 4 goals in 8 matches.
Genk, in turn, come into the game in better spirits. In the Belgian league, they narrowly beat Sint-Truiden (1:0) and continue their fight to reach the championship group. In European competitions, the Belgians also look competitive: 3 wins and just one narrow defeat made them one of the best away-performing teams.
Interestingly, in 12 of Freiburg’s 18 home matches, the trend has been a one-goal win or a draw. This indicates that the team rarely dominates by a large margin, but consistently picks up points.
Bet: Freiburg to win by exactly one goal or draw (odds 1.95)
Given the current form of both teams, we should not expect an easy game for the hosts. Genk are quite capable of putting up a fight.
Betis vs Panathinaikos
The first meeting between these teams a week ago delivered plenty of excitement and kept the intrigue alive – both sides finished the match with reduced squads, but the Greeks snatched a late win thanks to a penalty. Betis, of course, will be eager to respond, especially as the team is not going through its best period. The hosts are currently on a five-match winless run across all competitions – they are still in the fight, but urgently need to turn things around.
Panathinaikos face a tougher challenge this time, but they should be ready. The visitors are unbeaten in nine matches and know how to play against this opponent in the Europa League. The “Greens” are quite solid defensively, although squad absences often have an impact. They are likely to be felt again, and even at home Betis may face difficulties once more.
I expect a high-scoring game, the hosts will get their revenge, although I’m not sure whether it will be settled in regular time.
Bet: Team to qualify – Betis (odds 1.6)
Porto vs Stuttgart
A week ago, we saw a tough but well-deserved away win for Porto (2:1). Francesco Farioli’s side capitalized effectively on Stuttgart’s errors in their own half. Credit should also go to the “Swabians”, who did not give up and managed to pull one goal back before the break. In the second half, the Germans had chances to equalize, and the ball even found the net, but the referee disallowed the goal after a VAR review due to offside. This result suggests that the tie is far from decided.
Between the Europa League fixtures, the “Dragons” managed to win their home game against Moreirense (3:0). In addition to a 7-point advantage over Sporting, the defensive performance of the “Blue and Whites” is impressive — just 10 goals conceded in 26 matches.
For Stuttgart, the most important match was against RB Leipzig, where the “Cannstatt side” secured a narrow win (1:0). In a clash against a direct competitor, Sebastian Hoeneß’s team picked up extremely valuable points and currently sit in fourth place in the Bundesliga.
The hosts have convinced me of their strength; I believe they can hold onto the result, but this match is unlikely to be without goals.
Bet: Porto Double Chance (1X) and over 1.5 total goals (odds 1.85)
Aston Villa vs Lille
Aston Villa, who have been quite inconsistent lately, will host Lille, whose results have noticeably improved. Interestingly, it was in their head-to-head clash that the Birmingham side secured their only win in the last 6 matches in all competitions, while for the French team it was their only defeat in the same period.
After a long stay among the Premier League leaders, Villa have started to lose ground due to a series of poor results and risk dropping out of the Champions League zone. However, the factor of Unai Emery should not be underestimated – a coach rightly considered one of the most successful specialists in European competitions, particularly in the Europa League, winning which grants qualification to the Champions League.
In the previous league round, Lille managed to score more than once for the first time since late December, which could positively impact the team’s confidence. However, already this weekend they face a crucial Ligue 1 match against Olympique Marseille, which will be important in the battle for European spots. This could force Bruno Génésio to rotate the squad partially to keep that game in focus.
It is also worth noting the French side’s weak away form: during the league phase, Lille collected only 3 points in away matches, suffering three narrow defeats.
Bet: Aston Villa double chance (1X) and under 2.5 total goals (odds 2.20)
I expect a fairly closed game scenario where Aston Villa will confirm the result already achieved away.
Roma vs Bologna
Roma are winless in their last four matches, and it seems that with each game things are becoming more difficult for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side. Starting from the draw against Juventus to a poor performance against Como. However, against Bologna the Romans have at times shown their level, and at the Stadio Olimpico in 2026 the “Giallorossi” have been very productive. But will they have enough energy for the return leg?
Bologna, after their defeat to Verona, did not dwell on it and instead showed a good level against Roma and Sassuolo. Vincenzo Italiano’s side travel to Rome as underdogs, but nothing prevents the “Rossoblù” from troubling their opponent in arguably the most important match of their season so far. In the league, the European spots are far away, they are out of the Coppa Italia, so nothing stops them from giving everything against Roma.
I assume we are in for an equally tense match. Nothing prevents the teams from going into extra time.
Bet: Both teams to score (odds 2.0)