This Thursday, the final matches of the UEFA Europa League qualification will take place. So far, 25 teams are confirmed for the League Phase, with eleven more to be decided today. Which games should you watch? Where can you find the most intriguing betting opportunities, and what should you keep in mind? We break it down in our traditional digest.
PAOK vs Rijeka
(First leg: 0:1)
The “Black and Whites” were favored against Austria’s Wolfsberger and remain so ahead of the return leg against Rijeka, but their game hasn’t quite clicked yet. The two-match series against the Austrians took more effort than anticipated, and in the first leg against the Croatians, their finishing let them down. At home, PAOK boast a run of seven wins in eight matches, making them strong contenders to advance to the main stage, even needing to overturn a one-goal deficit.
Rijeka, whose domestic league started much earlier, have been playing official matches for a month, though with mixed success. The Croatians prioritized the Europa League, which has led to a shaky start in the Croatian National League—only four points from four rounds.
The “Whites” struggle in away Europa League matches and have recently found goals hard to come by, so we expect PAOK to progress.
Betting pick: PAOK to qualify at odds of 1.82
Ludogorets vs Shkendija
(First leg: 1:2)
After a 1:2 loss in Skopje, Ludogorets still have a chance to reach the group stage. The Bulgarian champions took the lead in the first leg but couldn’t hold on: the hosts equalized before halftime, and Shkendija’s veteran star, Ibraimi, scored the decisive goal. This is only Ludogorets’ second loss this season—in the domestic league, the Razgrad side are unbeaten (four wins and a draw in five rounds) and top the table. At home, the “Eagles” are especially strong, with an 18-match unbeaten streak, giving them a solid chance of a comeback and an eighth group-stage appearance.
Meanwhile, Shkendija continue to surprise in Europe: after exiting Champions League qualifying against Qarabag, the Macedonians defeated Steaua and are now one step away from historic success. In the North Macedonian league, they’re also unbeaten, but their main goal is a European autumn. The first leg showed that their attacking trio, led by captain Ibraimi, can trouble any opponent.
Ludogorets, however, are expected to take control at home, though Shkendija will fight to hold their lead and might aim to stifle the game or push it to penalties. Still, the Bulgarian side is the safer bet.
Betting pick: Ludogorets Total Shots Over 15.5 at odds of 1.68
Dynamo Kyiv vs Maccabi Tel Aviv
(First leg: 1:3)
Dynamo have struggled in Europe this season. They only looked convincing against Malta’s Hamrun Spartans, but then lost twice to Pafos in the Champions League and fell in the first leg against Maccabi. In their last 15 European matches, the Ukrainians have managed just three wins. Their goal-scoring form is also concerning—over the same period, they’ve scored more than once in only three games and failed to score in eight.
Maccabi got a bit lucky in the first leg—playing with a man advantage from the middle of the second half, they capitalized to secure a two-goal lead. This extended their winning streak to four matches. However, the Israelis have defensive issues, failing to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 14 European games.
Dynamo have shown that when facing stronger opponents than Hamrun Spartans or Epitsentr, they struggle. They may score but often fail to deliver results befitting a Ukrainian champion.
Betting pick: Both Teams to Score at odds of 1.71
Young Boys vs Slovan Bratislava
(First leg: 1:0)
Young Boys haven’t impressed in the Swiss league, sitting sixth after four rounds with five points from one win and two draws. In the first leg of the Europa League, the Bern side beat Slovan 1:0 in Slovakia and also advanced to the Swiss Cup round of 16 with a 4:1 win over Kurtetel.
Slovan, meanwhile, are performing to their usual standard in the Slovak league, sitting fifth after four rounds with two wins and two draws. In their latest match, they drew 1:1 with Zemplin. However, after exiting Champions League qualifying, they lost at home to the Swiss side and now risk elimination from Europe.
Stats favor the Swiss—Slovan have failed to beat Young Boys away in their two previous meetings, and I expect that trend to continue. Plus, the “Yellow and Blacks” had a full week to prepare for this crucial clash, while their opponents only had three days to recover from a tough away league match. I’m backing the hosts to win.
Betting pick: Young Boys to win at odds of 1.62
FCSB vs Aberdeen
(First leg: 2:2)
FCSB will be disappointed after squandering a two-goal lead in the first leg. However, they played with ten men from the 39th minute when leading 1:0, so a draw away in Europe should be seen as a positive. The Bucharest side are struggling domestically, sitting 13th in Romania’s top flight with five points from seven matches, having conceded 12 goals. Their home form is also poor, with losses in five of their last seven home games and only one win.
In the first leg, Aberdeen managed 15 shots from inside the penalty area but created only one truly dangerous chance. The Scottish side have found their attacking rhythm, scoring five goals in their last two games, but have conceded two goals in three of their four matches this season. As for their away form, Aberdeen have lost all four of their last away games.
Both teams are likely to score again, and the tie could be decided in extra time or via a penalty shootout.
Betting pick: Both Teams to Score at odds of 1.74