Europa League Predictions
UEFA Europa League 2024-25 Predictions - Qualifiers & Playoff Picks
Previously known as the UEFA Cup, the Europa League has been given a huge shake-up. Yes, the 2024/25 season will mark a watershed moment for UEFA and its other European competitions such as the Champions League and the Europa Conference League . Rather than a group stage format, this tournament will now feature a single league phase or league format involving 36 teams. After that, familiarity will kick in with the knockout phase playing out as usual with the Round of 16.
But before all of that, there is the small matter of some clubs having to undergo the travails of qualifying before they can take their spot in the Europa League . It can be an arduous process in the short term, but there are rewards down the line.
In this guide, we will shed more light on the qualifying rounds for this notorious soccer competition, highlight some of the big teams in the draw, and share some soccer betting tips, so read on to learn more before placing your bets on Stake Sportsbook .
UEFA Europa League Schedule
To be in with a chance of winning the coveted Europa League trophy, teams from across the UEFA member associations must qualify for the competition. Qualification is automatic based on final league position, winning a trophy, or by progressing through the qualifying rounds. The final teams will qualify through the playoffs in late August, and the draw for the league stage takes place on 30 August.
Instead of a group stage featuring 32 teams split between twelve groups, all 36 teams that qualify for the 2024-25 Europa League will enter into a league. Every team in the league will then play a total of four home games and four away games against eight different opponents, with the fixtures determined by the draw.
The draw begins with all qualified teams split into four seeded pots based on their coefficient rating, which is a measure of their recent success in UEFA competitions. Teams from the same associations cannot be drawn to play each other, and teams can only play a maximum of two teams from the same country.
After the league stage, the top eight teams in the league will automatically qualify for the knockout stages. Teams in 9th to 24th place will enter a playoff round, with the winners of the two-legged playoff tie progressing to the last 16 knockout stage.
When & Where is the League Stage of the Europa League?
Here are some of the key dates for the 2024-25 Europa League:
August 22/29, 2024 – Qualification playoffs
August 30, 2024 – League phase draw
September 25/26 – Matchday 1
October 3, 2024 – Matchday 2
October 24, 2024 – Matchday 3
November 7, 2024 – Matchday 4
November 28, 2024 – Matchday 5
December 12, 2024 – Matchday 6
January 23, 2025 – Matchday 7
January 30, 2025 – Matchday 8
January 31, 2025 – Knockout playoff draw
January 13/20, 2025 – Knockout playoffs
League Stage Predictions of the Europa League
The Europa League may be second-best to the Champions League in terms of star power, but it always delivers exciting games and plenty of action throughout the season. The new format should make it even better, with more games than ever for international soccer fans to enjoy. Here are some of our main picks for this season:
Which Teams Will Advance?
Here are our predictions of teams most likely to finish in the top eight of the league:
Manchester United
Athletic Bilbao
Porto
Tottenham Hotspur
Real Sociedad
AS Roma
Eintracht Frankfurt
Lyon
There are lots of great teams playing in this season’s Europa League, and it’s sure to be competitive, but we think the following will also make it through to the knockout stage:
TSG Hoffenheim
Olympiacos
SS Lazio
Fenerbache
Nice
AZ
Twente
Rangers
Star Players to Watch
European soccer gives a platform for the best players to shine, and some of the world’s best players have made a name for themselves playing in the EL. Here are some key players to look out for:
Bruno Fernandes – Manchester United
Son Heung-min – Tottenham Hotspur
Nico Williams – Athletic Bilbao
Pepê – Porto
Martín Zubimendi – Real Sociedad
Artem Dovbyk – AS Roma
Rayan Cherki - Lyon
Europa League Picks to Win So Far
The current favorites to win the upcoming Europa League are among the best clubs in Europe. Remember that this season, teams that fail to qualify for the knockout rounds of the Champions League won’t qualify for the Europa League. Here are the current favorites, though the odds may change:
Manchester United
Tottenham Hotspur
Athletic Bilbao
Roma
Porto
Real Sociedad
UEFA Europa League Betting Tips, Odds & Previews
Whether you are wagering on the Europa League or the qualifying process, you will need to have a carefully thought out sports betting strategy to help you execute things on matchday. Our pointers should stand you in good stead:
Go for soccer lines with longer prices - Rather than betting on the short-priced favorite, opt for markets where there are bigger odds available, so you can win more money if your wager is successful.
Get on board with promotions - Available for new and existing customers, these can cover all types of offers from free bets to cashback deals, so keep your eyes peeled when signing up. Similarly, those with a more disposable income can join the VIP club and lap up the benefits there.
Keep on top of the news - Through Stake’s dedicated blog , you can get all the insights and latest info so you can make more well informed picks on any given matchday. You can also check out our guide on how to bet on soccer or our ultimate guide to sports betting to help get you started.
Types of Bets & How to Bet on Europa League
The Europa League qualifying process provides ample betting opportunities. We have addressed the most common and popular markets that bettors can tap into:
Moneyline betting - In soccer betting , there are three possible outcomes - a win, tie, or loss. You simply back your predicted result will be, and it’s a great starting point for bettors.
Handicaps - Here, a value will be attached to a team to level out the playing field. This can make betting more interesting when one team is at a distinct disadvantage.
Spread betting - Like handicaps, a goal spread will be set for a team to beat, such as +1, and if you bet on the underdog, the margin of defeat should be less than the spread to win.
Outright betting - Rather than focus on a match event, this is like future betting, so you can wager on a team to qualify for or even win the Europa League, and you can get some juicy odds here.
Prop betting - This can be drilled down into team and individual lines, such as the first player to pick up a yellow card, a player to score 2+ goals, or even how many corners a team will receive in 90 minutes.
Parlay betting - Here, several outcomes will be tagged onto one betting slip, but all picks need to come through to return a win. This can be framed in the same manner as a multi bet builder .
Live betting - While some may prefer placing their bets in advance of a game, the dimension of live betting vs pre-match betting is an interesting complex. With in-play betting, you can wager on moneyline, over/under totals , and other lines, and the odds will shift in real time.
Live Stream Europa League Online
For the Europa League qualifiers, the best way to watch the action is through Stake’s dedicated live stream . By signing up, you can get unfettered access to all the live soccer action, so you won’t miss a single tackle, goal, or red card.
Live streaming has been a game-changer, and at Stake, you will find that games will have a “Play” button that you can click on and coverage will be uninterrupted.
Bet on Soccer with Best Odds on Stake Sportsbook
Stake.com has its finger on the pulse when it comes to sports coverage, and that applies to the Europa League, including the qualifying process.
Aside from boasting a robust live stream, Stake serves up brilliant odds and a myriad of deposit and withdrawal methods , such as crypto , to keep your bankroll ticking over. If you need more information on supported payment methods , you can check out our comprehensive local currency deposit and withdrawal guide or even check out the Stake vault which will put you on the right path.
But for now, we suggest you Stake Smart to get the most out of your betting experience with us. Remember, gamble responsibly to stay safe while online.
