The UEFA Europa League third round is here, with seven clubs boasting perfect records and six still pointless. As the stakes rise, which Thursday matches should bettors target? The TipsGG expert team shares the top picks for October 23.
Genk vs Betis
Genk have struggled in the Belgian Pro League, sitting eighth with a zero goal difference. Thorsten Fink’s side recently climbed from the relegation zone with seven points from three matches, but injuries to goalkeeper Tobias Laval and right-back El-Wahdi hurt. They’ve lost four home games this season.
Betis, missing Isco and Cedric Bakambu, are accustomed to playing without their playmaker. With just one loss—to Athletic Bilbao at home—they’re unbeaten away in La Liga.
Both defenses are shaky, so expect goals, but Betis’ class should secure the win.
Bet: Both Teams to Score + Betis to Win with odds of 3.8
FCSB vs Bologna
FCSB head into their clash with Bologna reeling from a shock loss to Romania’s bottom club. The owner’s threat to overhaul the squad amid a dire domestic campaign hardly inspires confidence for this Europa League tie.
Bologna, under Vincenzo Italiano, are gaining momentum after a tough start. With two consecutive wins and four unbeaten matches, their attack—led by a sharp Riccardo Orsolini—shines.
Bologna’s away European record is poor—no wins in their last five—but FCSB’s chaos offers a prime chance to break that streak.
Bet: Bologna to Win with odds of 1.63
Lyon vs Basel
Lyon suffered back-to-back losses before and after the international break (Toulouse 1:2, Nice 2:3) but shine in the Europa League with maximum points. At Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Paulo Fonseca’s side scored eight and conceded twice in five home games.
Basel are on a roll—three straight clean-sheet wins, including a 2:0 over Stuttgart for their first European win since 2023. However, away losses to Copenhagen (0:2) and Freiburg (1:2) highlight inconsistency.
Lyon should avoid defeat at home, with a low-scoring game likely.
Bet: Lyon Double Chance (1X) + Total Under 3.5 with odds of 1.94
Fenerbahce vs Stuttgart
A balanced clash of in-form teams. Fenerbahce, under Domenico Tedesco, shook off a slow start and early sack rumors. Unbeaten for a month, they’ve won three of their last four, though their play isn’t flawless.
Stuttgart have surged to third in the Bundesliga but falter in Europe. Away, their defense leaks, lacking consistency.
Tedesco knows Stuttgart well, and this home game matters. Expect a tight, high-scoring battle with Fenerbahce edging it.
Bet: Fenerbahce to Win with odds of 2.32
Brann vs Rangers
In Bergen, Brann host a storied but troubled Rangers. Brann’s 17,000-capacity stadium roars for European nights. They’ve lost just once at home in the Norwegian league (to Molde, 0:3), with nine wins and two draws. Including qualifiers, they’ve dropped only three home games this year.
Rangers, after sacking Barry Ferguson and Russell Martin, sit sixth in Scotland, 13 points off the lead. They crashed out of Champions League qualifying and have two Europa League losses.
Brann’s home strength can exploit Rangers’ woes. Expect an open game with goals both ways as Rangers fight to impress their new coach.
Bet: Both Teams to Score – Yes with odds of 1.64
Nottingham Forest vs Porto
Nottingham Forest are in turmoil. After eight winless matches, Ange Postecoglou was sacked following a 0:3 thrashing by Chelsea. Sean Dyche, their third coach this season, inherits a team winless in 10 across all competitions, conceding 10 in their last four home games. In the Europa League, they’ve shipped five goals against Betis and Midtjylland—hardly giants.
Porto, led by Francesco Farioli, are a model of consistency: 10 wins in 11 matches, including six away victories (16:1 aggregate). They’ve kept nine clean sheets, though their two Europa League wins came via late, one-goal margins.
Vaskov: Porto’s form should prevent an upset, but a desperate Forest may score.
Bet: Porto Win or Draw + Both Teams to Score with odds of 2.5
The Premier League outranks Portugal’s, but Forest’s disarray suggests they may prioritize domestic survival over Europe. Porto’s cohesion should avoid defeat.
Bet: Porto Double Chance (X2) + Total Under 3.5 with odds of 2.12
Celta Vigo vs Nice
Celta, with seven draws and no wins in nine La Liga rounds, are the league’s draw kings. Their Europa League breakthrough came via a 3:1 win over PAOK.
Nice snapped a five-game winless run by edging Lyon 3:2, despite being outplayed in xG and possession. Their European away form is dismal—no wins in 10.
Nice’s European struggles continue, while a motivated Celta can build on their PAOK success at home.
Bet: Celta Vigo to Win with odds of 1.96