Europa League: Knockout Phase Playoffs - 1st Leg Betting Tips
Some of the Europa League’s bigger names will be involved in the knockout phase play-off first legs that are set to captivate fans across the continent this week.
Two-time winners Porto take on 2023 finalists Roma in a clash of Jose Mourinho’s former clubs, while Ajax, who won the trophy when it was called the Uefa Cup in 1992, face a tricky trip to Brussels to face Union Saint-Gilloise.
Mourinho’s current employers, Fenerbahce, also face Belgian opponents in the shape of Anderlecht, while their Istanbul rivals Galatasaray travel to Alkmaar to face AZ for the second time this season.
Tip 1: Fenerbahce vs Anderlecht - Over 3.5 Goals @ 31/20
Fenerbahce host Anderlecht in Istanbul on Thursday in what promises to be an open and attacking encounter.
The Turkish side has been prolific at home, scoring in each of their last eight Europa League matches. Meanwhile, Anderlecht has been leaking goals all over the place of late, shipping nine in total across their last four European games.
At least four goals have been scored in six of Fener’s last eight games in all competitions and in three of Anderlecht’s last five too.
Tip 2: Union Saint-Gilloise vs Ajax - Union to win @ 13/10
Union Saint-Gilloise welcome Ajax to Brussels for what could be an uncomfortable night for the Dutch giants.
The pitch at Roi Baudouin Stadium is not conducive to Ajax’s passing style, while Francesco Farioli’s side do not match up well physically with the Belgians, who are dangerous from set-pieces.
The return of Jorrel Hato from suspension could help solve some of their aerial troubles for this trip, but striker Wout Weghorst, who bailed them out against Fortuna Sittard on Sunday with a goal and an assist, is injured.
Union have won six of their last seven games and are unbeaten in four Europa League home matches this term, which suggests they are backable to beat Ajax.
Tip 3: AZ Alkmaar vs Galatasaray - AZ Alkmaar to win 31/20
Galatasaray will be without three key players through suspension on Thursday when they meet an in-form AZ side who have beaten Ajax and Roma at home in 2025.
Star forward Victor Osimhen is joined by ex-Spurs defender Davinson Sanchez and former Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira on the sidelines, making the Turks vulnerable to defeat on the road.
They played out a 1-1 draw in November when Osimhen was on target, but Gala have failed to win any of their last six games against Dutch teams, while AZ have only lost two of their last 35 home matches in European competitions.
Tip 4: Porto vs AS Roma - Porto to win @ 13/10
Porto have won just five of their last 25 major European knockout matches and will be fearful that if they don’t take a lead to Stadio Olimpico they will be heading for an early exit in this competition.
Defensively, they have been pretty sound of late, conceding only one goal in their last three Europa League games.
And they have opened things out under new coach Martin Anselmi’s 3-4-3 system, crossing and shooting more without quite capitalising with more goals yet.
Roma have won just three of their last 19 away Europa League matches, with eight draws and eight defeats in that run.
The Giallorossi have lost their last two away cup matches and could find themselves on the wrong side of the result at the Dragao this week as well.
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation