Thursday’s Europa League schedule offers an excellent mix of fixtures featuring top clubs from across Europe. With the group stage entering a crucial phase, every point is vital and several familiar names are looking to build momentum.
We take a closer look at three highlighted matches: Midtjylland v Celtic, Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv, and Rangers v AS Roma.
Midtjylland v Celtic – click here to bet
Midtjylland host Celtic in a meeting between two sides with plenty of European experience. The Danish champions have made a perfect start to their campaign with three wins from three, including away victories at Nottingham and Maccabi Tel Aviv. Celtic, meanwhile, sit mid-table after a mixed run of results, a 2–1 home win over Sturm Graz, a draw away to Red Star Belgrade, and a home defeat to Braga.
The sides last met in Champions League qualifying back in 2021, with Midtjylland progressing 3–2 on aggregate. Both teams have improved since, but the hosts come into this one in better form and with home advantage.
Match Odds
Midtjylland 2.10 | Draw 3.65 | Celtic 3.25
Midtjylland are narrow favourites, and rightly so based on recent form. Celtic have attacking quality but may struggle to contain a confident home side.
Suggested Bets: Midtjylland to Win at 2.10
Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv – click here to bet
Aston Villa will look to bounce back from a shock defeat in the Netherlands when they host Maccabi Tel Aviv at Villa Park. The English side started strongly with wins over Bologna and Feyenoord before a 2–1 loss at Go Ahead Eagles halted their run.
Maccabi Tel Aviv have endured a tough campaign, collecting just one point from three games and scoring only once. They were well beaten by Midtjylland in their previous outing and face an even sterner test here.
Match Odds
Aston Villa 1.23 | Draw 6.75 | Maccabi Tel Aviv 11.00
Villa are overwhelming favourites and should dominate proceedings from start to finish. Anything other than a home win would be a huge surprise.
Suggested Bet: Asian Handicap Villa -2.5 goals at 2.60
Rangers v AS Roma – click here to bet
Ibrox hosts a high-profile Europa League clash as Rangers seek their first points of the campaign against Italian giants AS Roma. The Scottish side have struggled badly so far, losing all three games and scoring just once. Roma have also faltered, with just one win from three and surprising home defeats to Lille and Plzen.
Both sides are desperate to revive their campaigns, but Rangers’ defensive frailties have been exposed repeatedly. Roma, despite inconsistency, should have too much quality and composure in the final third but it is the goals market where my attention will be focused.
Match Odds
Rangers 4.75 | Draw 4.00 | AS Roma 1.71
I cannot back either team with confidence but both have been conceding goals and 3 goals or more is my play here.
Suggested Bet: Over 2.5 goals at 1.87
Prices correct at time of writing but subject to change
