Ahead is the final round of the 2025 Europa League! A packed game day full of intrigue and struggle awaits us. Which of the current leaders will hold their positions, and which underdogs will use their last chance to sneak into the playoffs? TipsGG analysts have prepared the best European cup matches and bets for them.
Midtjylland vs Genk
Despite the defeat in the previous round, Midtjylland remain among the Europa League’s best teams, with 12 points level with Lyon and Aston Villa. Their home unbeaten streak dating back to April only underlines the Danish club’s strength.
Genk with 10 points are in the top-8 battle zone, but the dip in form and a powerful opponent can be a hindrance. At the same time, the Smurfs have surprised many times: as underdogs they beat Rangers and Braga, held Betis, but as favorites managed to lose to Ferencváros. All of Genk’s Europa League matches except one draw ended in minimal wins or defeats, and the thrashing by Antwerp was their first big failure of the season.
Given the hosts’ excellent form but Genk’s inherent stubbornness, a tough match is in order. The most likely scenario is a minimal Danish win or a draw.
Bet: Midtjylland Win by 1 Goal or Draw – Yes (odds 1.93)
Stuttgart vs Maccabi Tel Aviv
Stuttgart are not the most stable team, having failed as favorites more than once. However, such slip-ups are strictly away. At home this season, the Swabians have only failed against Bayern — they lost heavily to the Munich side in the Bundesliga days ago, and in the summer they fell to them in the German Super Cup battle. The rest of their seven home matches, regardless of competition, ended in victory.
Maccabi are struggling to match Europa League level for the second year in a row. In the first round they earned a goalless draw with PAOK, but then only defeats. In five games, the team have conceded 14 goals while scoring exactly one. Both indicators are the worst in the tournament. Notably, Maccabi have slowed down even in the Israeli championship lately.
Stuttgart have not had home thrashings yet, but with Maccabi in their current form, the trend may break.
Bet: Stuttgart Individual Total Over 2.5 (odds 1.68)
Ludogorets vs PAOK
Since Per-Mathias Høgmo’s arrival on the coaching bridge of the unchanged Bulgarian champions since the 2011/2012 season, Ludogorets’ affairs are gradually improving. Although catching the league leader will be tough with a 10-point deficit, the five-match unbeaten streak with four wins adds optimism. In the Europa League, the situation is also workable: 2 wins in 5 matches and quite acceptable opponents for point-gathering ahead in the form of PAOK, Rangers and Nice.
PAOK, just like their opponent, approach the meeting with a five-match unbeaten run. In the Greek Super League, Răzvan Lucescu’s team are mounting a challenge to Olympiacos and AEK, and in the Europa League they show stability: 2 wins, 2 draws and just one defeat. Interestingly, the Black-and-Whites’ only defeat came against Celta, whom Ludogorets just beat in the previous round.
PAOK’s away problem is obvious: they conceded in eight of ten away games. Ludogorets themselves are not too reliable in defence, so logically expect goals from both sides.
Bet: Both Teams to Score – Yes (odds 1.75)
Nice vs Braga
The bottom-table team hosts a top-8 side. Nice are going through a catastrophic stretch: the only team without points in the Europa League, seven straight defeats across all competitions, fan conflict and an attack on players. Their last win dates back to late October, and Frank Eze’s resignation seems only a matter of time. The team critically needs the winter break.
Braga’s situation is radically different. Five matches unbeaten, a strong away performance against Rangers where the team saved a draw despite being down to ten men. Artur Jorge’s collective look stable and confident.
Against this background, Nice’s internal problems have only deepened: key players Boga and Moffi have publicly stated their desire to leave after the fan conflict. With such circumstances, ending the losing streak looks unlikely. Braga’s victory is a quite logical choice.
Bet: Braga to Win (odds 2.15)
Ferencváros vs Rangers
At Groupama Aréna, the Turkish giant host ambitious Ferencváros, who are still unbeaten in this Europa League edition.
Ferencváros, along with Freiburg and Betis, are among the three teams yet to lose in the tournament. After dropping out of Champions League qualifying, Roy Keane’s charges look very confident, and reaching the top-8 in the Europa League seems entirely realistic. In Hungary, Fradi also dominate — first place after 16 rounds and a good level of play.
Rangers under Danny Rell’s leadership started with a painful 3:0 defeat to Brann. Results have been mixed since: 5 wins, 3 draws, 3 defeats including the extra-time failure in the derby against Celtic. The current six-match unbeaten streak does not look convincing: the team lost a lead against Braga and drew against weaker Scottish Premier League clubs.
The hosts look far more convincing, have better game organisation and significantly more stable results. Expecting a Ferencváros victory is quite logical.
Bet: Ferencváros to Win (odds 1.80)
Celta Vigo vs Bologna
The result of this match is important for both teams — the Spaniards and Italians can claim a direct spot in the 1/8 finals. Celta spoiled their prospects by losing to Ludogorets in the last round, but overall the Galicians’ form impresses — seven wins in ten matches in the league and Europa League. And just before, Giraldes’ charges sensationally beat Real Madrid away. It is worth noting the hosts’ goal-scoring play — they failed to score in only two matches this season.
Bologna are also effective in attack, having scored 15 goals in their last seven away matches across all competitions. However, over that stretch the team have faced few truly serious opponents. Nonetheless, Bologna’s confident away play should not be discounted as a factor that can play in their favour.
Overall the teams seem like equal opponents, so expect good attacking play from both sides.
Bet: Both Teams to Score + Total Corners Over 6.5 (odds 2.19)
Basel vs Aston Villa
Basel are in a confusing state: the Swiss team have started winning, but opponents in those matches were modest, and their Europa League table position remains shaky — 24th place and a minimal buffer on goal difference. Home factor is traditionally key: at St. Jakob-Park the Rotblau took six points from six possible, conceding just one goal. However, recent home games have not impressed — 0:1 to Lugano and 0:0 with St. Gallen.
Aston Villa travel to Switzerland in stunning form: Unai Emery’s team have won seven in a row and continue to hold in the top three both in the Premier League and Europa League, with the weekend victory over Arsenal only underlining the Lions’ confidence. At the same time, the Birmingham side are not that prolific (eight goals in five rounds) but extremely solid defensively: three conceded and one of the best defences in the tournament.
Home resilience remains Basel’s hope, but Villa’s current form and ability to control the game look a more weighty argument.
Bet: Aston Villa Don’t Lose + Total Goals Under 4.5 (odds 2.25)