EUROPA LEAGUE MD6: GOALS IN GLASGOW BUT MORE MISERY FOR GERS
The Europa League table has really started to take shape, and there are some vital clashes in the competition this week.
Aston Villa are flying in the Premier League and can go top of the standings here with a win at Basel, while Nottingham Forest could move into the top eight should they pick up three points away at Utrecht.
Lowly Rangers have just one point and anything less than a win at Ferencvaros all but spells the end for them, though Glasgow rivals Celtic face a tricky assignment themselves at home to Roma.
We’ve scoured the fixture list and have completed three of the best bets for Matchday 6…
Tip 1 – Ferencvaros to beat Rangers @ 3/4
Sitting 33rd in the table, finally getting a point on the board last time out against SC Braga has done little to improve Rangers’ chances of extending their Europa League campaign.
They travel to Hungary to face Ferencvaros on Thursday and face a real test to bring anything back to Glasgow with their hosts flying high in fifth and unbeaten.
Former Celtic striker Robbie Keane will be eager to get one over on the Gers and his Ferencvaros side sits atop the Hungarian top flight with just three defeats all season.
The Hungarians have won three of their five games so far in the Europa League with Rangers losing both of their away fixtures, at Sturm Graz and Brann. We’re expecting form to continue here.
Danny Rohl’s side have lost just once in the SPFL but a drab recent draw at home to Falkirk and a last-minute equaliser to rescue a point away to Dundee United have left a lot to be desired.
Performances under him are an improvement to those under Russell Martin but the Light Blues look a long way from their best.
They’ve scored just twice in Europe this season so far, one of which was a penalty against Braga. Odds of 3/4 for a home win here are good value, either as part of an accumulator or a standalone pick.
It’s more European misery on the cards for the travelling Scots.
Tip 2 – Brann to beat Fenerbahce @ 11/5
These two are separated by just goal difference in 19th and 20th in the table meaning a win for either here would go a long way to securing at least a play-off spot.
The hosts will fancy their chances here of a vital three points and 11/5 odds certainly make this a viable selection.
Brann have already beaten Rangers and Utrecht at home in the league phase, giving them a 100% record on their own turf. Fenerbahce, meanwhile, have yet to win away from home, losing to Dinamo Zagreb and holding out for a goalless draw at Viktoria Plzen.
They are unbeaten domestically but sit in third place, three points behind great rivals Galatasaray and won’t relish a trip to Norway to face a side that lost just twice at home during the 2025 Eliteserien.
Only two sides have conceded fewer goals than Brann’s three so far in the Europa League while, in Emil Kornvig, they have a player who has two in his last three European games.
This one will be tight but the home win at a tempting price is our pick.
Tip 3 – BTTS in Celtic vs Roma @ 13/20
Martin O’Neill has gone and Wilfried Nancy has arrived at Celtic Park – though the new boss endured a rather forgettable first game in charge, slipping to a 2-1 defeat at home to Hearts.
The highs of the first European away win since 2021 – when O’Neill led the Hoops to a 3-1 victory at Feyenoord – are in danger of being extinguished when Roma come to Glasgow for the second time this campaign.
The men from the Italian capital have already left the city with three points once so far, dispatching Rangers 2-0, but Celtic will hope to put up more of a fight with a chance of progression on the line.
They are 21st in the table but a win could lift them into the top 16 and a seeded play-off spot.
It will be tough, however, with Roma unbeaten away from home in Europe.
That said, their meagre defence in Serie A hasn’t quite been repeated in Europe – in fact they have conceded five in five games, only three fewer than they have in 15 Serie A matches.
Celtic, meanwhile, have seen both teams score in all but one of their European fixtures thus far so, though a short price, 13/20 for both to find the net here seems favourable.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
