EUROPA LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS TIPS: BACK GOALS & CARDS IN DECIDERS
The return legs of the Europa League play-offs are here and there are contrasting jobs to do for the British interests.
Nottingham Forest blew Fernebahce away in Istanbul and bring a three-goal lead back to the City Ground – they can surely start preparing for a round of 16 game.
The same can’t be said for Celtic. Thrashed 4-1 at Parkhead, the Hoops have it all to do, and then some, as they travel to Germany to face Stuttgart.
We’ve explored the fixture list and have picked out our three best bets for the Europa League play-offs…
Tip 1 – Nott’m Forest to win & Igor Jesus to score @ 11/5
Forest saved perhaps their best performance of the season for last week’s trip to Istanbul.
Not many saw the 3-0 win coming on a ground that only two visiting teams had won on so far this season,
They go into the second leg at the City Ground for what should be anything but a tricky night for the Tricky Trees.
Not that Vitor Pereira will want to rest on his laurels. Yes, Forest are embroiled in a Premier League relegation battle, but winning breeds confidence and the victory in Turkey is a foundation to build on.
Igor Jesus scored the second goal in the first leg and became the competition's joint top scorer in the process with seven goals. Interestingly, his best form is coming in Europe, with just two goals in the Premier League so far.
Odds of 11/5 for the Brazilian to score and Forest to wrap up qualification with a win are worthy of interest.
Can European progression be the catalyst for Premier League survival?
Tip 2 – Celta Vigo vs PAOK over 2.5 goals @ 19/20
CTRL+ALT+V. This was a tip that landed last week and it is difficult to ignore it happening again.
After last week’s 2-1 win in Greece, Celta Vigo will be looking to get the job done at home… but expect goals in this one once more.
Los Celestes kept just one clean sheet in the league phase, with all but one of their matches having over 2.5 goals.
PAOK, meanwhile, scored the most league phase goals out of the play-off sides but conceded 14 along the way.
Five of Celta’s last six La Liga matches have contained over the 2.5 goals threshold and, though goals have dried up domestically of late for PAOK, they have scored two or more goals in five of their eight league phase matches.
At 19/20 definite value can be found in the game having over 2.5 goals, either alone or as part of a wider accumulator.
The hosts will fancy their chances of seeing the game out but more entertainment is surely on the cards in Galicia.
Tip 3 – Liam Scales to be carded vs Stuttgart & BTTS @ 23/4
Celtic have had a bit of a disaster this week.
Already 4-1 down heading into the second leg in Germany, Hibs dealt their Scottish Premiership title hopes a huge blow at the weekend with a controversial win at Parkhead.
Restoring pride may be their main aim but the Hoops have to believe they can get a positive result heading into Sunday’s Glasgow Derby with Rangers.
Costly cards have affected them this campaign – two Celtic players also have double figures in yellows in all competitions.
Liam Scales is one of those. The Ireland international has two bookings in his last three Premiership games and may well find himself under pressure here against a Stuttgart side that will quickly want to put the tie beyond any doubt.
For all their recent drama, the Bhoys have at least been able to find the back of the net. They only drew a blank twice in the league phase and haven’t failed to score in a Premiership game yet in 2026.
As such, Scales to be carded and both teams to score in this one appeals at 23/4.
Fancy all our Europa League shouts to land? You can combine all three tips into a 40/1 Acca. Add it to your betslip by clicking here
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
