Best European Football Leagues to Bet On

Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa get their 2026/27 Premier League seasons underway on Sunday, August 23, 2026, with a 14:00 BST kick-off at the American Express Stadium. The Seagulls are targeting a strong start after qualifying for the Conference League with an eighth-place finish last term, while the Villans arrive on the south coast as Europa League holders and fresh from a fourth-place finish that secured Champions League football. With both sides renowned for their progressive, attacking philosophy, the opening weekend fixture promises to be one of the most compelling ties of Matchweek 1.

Fabian Hurzeler has assembled a Brighton squad for the 2026/27 campaign built around Bart Verbruggen in goal, a defensive unit featuring Luka Vušković, Pascal Struijk, Mats Wieffer, and Ferdi Kadıoğlu, and an attack led by Georginio Rutter, Diego Gómez, and Charalampos Kostoulas. The Seagulls ended the previous season with mixed results, suffering a 0-3 home defeat to Manchester United on the final day, though they had earlier demonstrated their Amex dominance with a convincing 3-0 victory over Wolves.

Manchester City open their 2026/27 Premier League campaign on Sunday, 23 August 2026, as they welcome AFC Bournemouth to the Etihad Stadium for a 14:00 BST kick-off. Following a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the FA Community Shield at the Principality Stadium, manager Enzo Maresca will be eager to secure his first competitive victory on home soil and set an authoritative tone for the season ahead. The Cherries arrive in Manchester looking to build on an impressive sixth-place finish last term and prove they can once again trouble a City side that is still adjusting to life under new leadership.

The Manchester City squad for the 2026/27 season features a formidable attacking core led by Erling Haaland, with Omar Marmoush and Phil Foden providing creative support in Maresca's tactical setup. New arrivals have bolstered the ranks as City look to reclaim domestic dominance, though winger Jeremy Doku faces a late fitness test ahead of this fixture. The Cityzens will be desperate to bounce back from their recent struggles, having suffered a 1-2 defeat to Aston Villa in their final home outing of the previous campaign and managing only a 1-1 draw when these sides last met at the Vitality Stadium in May.

The 2026/27 Premier League season gets underway on Sunday, 23 August 2026, when Newcastle United welcome Liverpool to St James' Park for a 4:30pm BST curtain-raiser. The fixture represents a fresh start for both clubs, with the Magpies preparing for their first competitive outing under new manager Matthias Jaissle, while the Reds line up for Andoni Iraola's inaugural competitive match in charge following the summer departure of Arne Slot. Newcastle will be eager to improve on a disappointing 12th-place finish from the previous campaign, whereas Liverpool arrive on Tyneside looking to rebound from a fifth-placed season and mount a credible title challenge.

Newcastle's squad for the 2026/27 campaign has been significantly reshaped after losing influential figures including Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Kieran Trippier during the transfer window. Jaissle has invested in a youthful rebuild, recruiting Bazoumana Touré, Aladji Bamba, Lukás Hornícek and Sean Steur, though the inexperience of this overhauled roster presents a stern test against seasoned opposition. The Magpies concluded last season with inconsistent results, falling to a 2-0 reverse at Fulham, managing only a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest, before registering a 3-1 win against West Ham United in their final home outing.

The 2026/27 Premier League season opens with a West London derby as Fulham host Chelsea at Craven Cottage on Monday, August 24, 2026, in the first Monday Night Football fixture of the campaign. This marks Xabi Alonso's first competitive match in charge of Chelsea, with the Spaniard appointed on a four-year contract after the Blues finished 10th last season and lost the FA Cup final to Manchester City. Fulham, now under new head coach Álvaro Arbeloa following Marco Silva's departure, will look to start their season strongly in front of their home fans, with the match broadcast live on Sky Sports at 8:00 PM BST.

Fulham's squad for the 2026/27 season features a mix of established Premier League talent and exciting new arrivals, with Bernd Leno between the posts and a defensive line including Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey, and USA international Antonee Robinson. The Cottagers have strengthened their attack with Spanish striker Gonzalo García arriving from Real Madrid for £34.2 million and Northern Irish midfielder Shea Charles joining from Southampton for £26 million, while Sander Berge, Emile Smith Rowe, and Rodrigo Muniz provide creativity and goals. Fulham ended the previous campaign with mixed results, securing a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United but also drawing 1-1 at Wolves in their penultimate fixture.

Atalanta and Sassuolo will face off in a Serie A clash on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at 18:45 UTC at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo, marking an early fixture in the 2026/2027 campaign. Both clubs enter the new season under fresh leadership, with Maurizio Sarri taking charge of Atalanta and Alberto Aquilani appointed as Sassuolo manager during the summer transition. The head-to-head record heavily favors the home side, with Atalanta holding 18 wins to Sassuolo's 6 across 29 previous meetings, suggesting the Bergamo outfit will approach this opener with confidence.

Atalanta's squad for the 2026/2027 season sees Marten de Roon retain the captain's armband, while Marco Carnesecchi is expected to start between the posts. The attacking unit features Nikola Krstovic and Giacomo Raspadori, though the Bergamo side will be without Kamaldeen Sulemana, Charles De Ketelaere, Honest Ahanor, and Isak Hien due to injury. Their pre-season preparations included mixed results from the previous campaign, having secured a thrilling 2-3 victory away at AC Milan but settling for a 1-1 draw against Fiorentina in their final outings.

The 2026/2027 Serie A season kicks off on August 23, 2026, with newly-promoted Frosinone hosting Juventus at the Stadio Benito Stirpe in a Matchday 1 fixture scheduled for 18:30 CEST. After finishing second in Serie B last season, Frosinone return to the top flight eager to make an immediate impression against one of Italy's most storied clubs. Juventus, under manager Luciano Spalletti, begin their campaign with renewed ambitions to challenge for the Scudetto after a frustrating 2025/26 campaign that saw them miss out on Champions League qualification.

Frosinone have been active in the transfer market ahead of their top-flight return, bolstering their squad with several key acquisitions including midfielder Florian Grillitsch from Napoli, winger Alessio Zerbin from Werder Bremen, and defender Gabriele Bracaglia from Red Bull Salzburg, while also securing loan extensions for Gabriele Calvani and Giorgio Cittadini. The Canarini will look to build on their strong Serie B form, which included a convincing 1:3 victory away at Avellino in February. However, they face a daunting task against a Juventus side that has historically dominated this fixture, with the Bianconeri unbeaten in all nine previous meetings between the two clubs.

Serie A's 2026/2027 campaign kicks off on Sunday, August 23, 2026, as Torino host AC Milan at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino in a fascinating opening-day fixture. Both clubs enter the new season under fresh management, with Ignazio Abate taking charge of Torino and Ruben Amorim appointed as the new AC Milan boss following a summer of upheaval at the San Siro. The Rossoneri will be desperate to put last season's collapse behind them after missing out on Champions League qualification, while the Granata look to build on their twelfth-place finish and an unbeaten final six home games under previous management.

The 2026/2027 squads feature several high-profile additions that could prove decisive in this encounter. AC Milan have invested heavily in their attack, with club-record signing Goncalo Ramos expected to lead the line, supported by veteran playmaker Luka Modric and summer recruits Diego Moreira and Mario Gila. Torino counter with last season's top scorer Giovanni Simeone, who found the net eleven times in Serie A, alongside new faces such as Swiss centre-back Eray Comert and ex-Ajax midfielder Kian Fitz-Jim. Both managers favour a 3-4-2-1 tactical setup, promising an intriguing chess match between Abate's disciplined approach and Amorim's fluid, attacking philosophy.

Venezia FC return to Italy's top flight for the 2026/2027 Serie A season as they welcome U.S. Lecce to the Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on Sunday, August 23, 2026, for the opening gameweek fixture. The Lagunari earned promotion by winning the Serie B title with a record-breaking 82 points, 24 victories and 77 goals, while Lecce narrowly preserved their Serie A status for a club-record fifth consecutive campaign by finishing 17th last term. Both sides enter this encounter eager to avoid an early setback, with Venezia aiming to break their cycle of immediate relegation following previous promotions and Lecce seeking to establish stability under head coach Eusebio Di Francesco, who faces his former club in a compelling reunion.

The hosts have strengthened their 2026/2027 squad significantly during the summer transfer window, making Nigeria striker Akor Adams their record signing while adding defensive reinforcements Redouane Halhal, Armel Bella-Kotchap and Matias Moreno, plus midfield duo Simon Sohm and Toma Basic. Goalkeeper Filip Stankovic and Ecuadorian forward John Yeboah provide further quality, though defenders Marin Sverko and top scorer Andrea Adorante remain sidelined until October. Venezia's pre-season form has been encouraging with three wins from five friendlies, and they carried that momentum into competitive action by defeating Modena 3-2 in the Coppa Italia before thrashing Avellino 4-0 in Serie B, demonstrating the attacking prowess that powered their championship charge.

AS Roma kick off their 2026/2027 Serie A season against Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday, August 24, 2026. Under manager Gian Piero Gasperini, the Giallorossi aim to mount a serious challenge for the Scudetto and secure a return to the Champions League. The Derby of Central Italy begins at 19:45 local time, with both sides unveiling refreshed squads following an active summer transfer window. Roma supporters will be eager to see how new additions blend with established stars like Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen.

Roma's squad for the 2026/2027 campaign is expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal and a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan Ndicka, and Mario Hermoso. The midfield features Bryan Cristante and Manu Kone, with Matias Soule and Paulo Dybala operating behind striker Donyell Malen. The Giallorossi carry strong momentum into this fixture, having gone unbeaten through their final pre-season friendlies. Their recent competitive form includes a hard-fought 1-1 draw away to Hellas Verona and a commanding 2-1 victory over Lazio in the Derby della Capitale.

Bologna will host Lazio at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on Monday, August 24, 2026, in what promises to be an intriguing Serie A 2026/2027 season opener for both sides. The Rossoblu enter the new campaign looking to build on their solid performances from last term, while the Biancocelesti aim to bounce back from a disappointing end to the 2025/26 season that saw them miss out on European qualification. Both managers have had full pre-seasons to work with their squads, and fans can expect a competitive encounter as two of Italy's historic clubs battle for early momentum.

Vincenzo Italiano's Bologna will rely on a well-balanced squad featuring the likes of Santiago Castro, Riccardo Orsolini, and Remo Freuler, with Jhon Lucumí and Martin Vitík forming a solid defensive partnership. The home side carries encouraging form into this fixture, having gone unbeaten in their final three matches of the previous campaign, including a thrilling 3-3 draw against champions Inter and a hard-fought 0-1 victory away at Atalanta. Bologna has no reported injury concerns heading into this match, giving Italiano a full roster to choose from as they look to capitalize on their strong home record against Lazio.

Angers SCO welcome Lille OSC to the Stade Raymond Kopa on Sunday, 23 August 2026, for an important Ligue 1 fixture early in the 2026/2027 season. With kick-off scheduled for 21:00 local time, both clubs will be eager to build momentum after contrasting ends to the previous campaign, as Angers look to end a ten-match winless streak while Lille aim to extend their impressive recent dominance over this opponent.

The home side have struggled significantly in recent weeks, failing to secure a victory in their last ten Ligue 1 outings. Their form guide makes for grim reading, including a heavy 3-0 reverse away to Brest and a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Auxerre. For the 2026/2027 season, Angers are expected to field Koffi in goal, protected by a back four of Bamba, Camara, Lefort and Ekomie. Belkebla and Van den Boomen should provide the defensive midfield shield, with Raolisoa, Belkhdim and Mouton operating behind lone striker Koyalipou. The hosts will be without the suspended Carlens Arcus, while Haris Belkebla remains a doubt due to injury.

Le Havre AC will host AS Monaco at Stade CMA CGM Océane on Sunday, August 23, 2026, for the opening matchday of the Ligue 1 McDonald's 2026/2027 season. Both sides enter the new campaign with refreshed squads and renewed ambitions, making this Normandy clash an intriguing curtain-raiser. Le Havre will look to build on their survival credentials from last term, while Monaco aim to reassert themselves as genuine title contenders after a frustrating previous season.

Didier Digard's Le Havre have reshaped their roster for 2026/2027, bringing in defender Timothée Pembélé from Strasbourg, right-back Fodé Doucouré from Sunderland, and winger Godson Kyeremeh from West Bromwich on free transfers, while Japanese centre-back Ayumu Seko remains a key pillar. The squad features Lionel Mpasi-Nzau between the posts, Arouna Sangante and Yanis Zouaoui in defence, with Rassoul Ndiaye, Simon Ebonog and Felix Mambimbi driving the midfield. In their final outings of last season, Le Havre secured a 0-2 victory away at Lorient and battled to a 1-1 draw at Lille, showing they can compete with stronger sides on their day.

Paris Saint-Germain begin their 2026/2027 Ligue 1 title defence on Sunday, August 23, 2026, when they host Stade Rennais at the Parc des Princes for a Matchweek 1 fixture kicking off at 18:45 GMT. Luis Enrique has assembled a formidable squad for the new campaign, with Matvey Safonov in goal, Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho and Nuno Mendes forming the back line, Fabián Ruiz, Vitinha and João Neves controlling midfield, and the explosive attacking trio of Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia leading the line. Rennes, managed by Franck Haise, counter with Brice Samba in goal, a defence featuring Mahamadou Nagida, Lilian Brassier, Anthony Rouault and Quentin Merlin, a midfield anchored by Valentin Rongier and the suspended Mahdi Camara, and an attack spearheaded by Esteban Lepaul alongside Arnaud Nordin, Sebastian Szymański and Musa Al-Taamari.

PSG enter this opener looking to bounce back from their disappointing 1-0 defeat to Lens in the Trophée des Champions on August 16, a result that ended their hopes of an early season trophy despite dominating possession for long periods. Their form in the closing stages of the previous Ligue 1 campaign was solid if unspectacular, recording a disciplined 0-2 away win at Lens but falling to a surprising 2-1 home defeat against Paris FC on the final day. Those results underline that while Les Parisiens remain the dominant force in French football, they can be caught cold by well-organised sides on opening weekend.

The UEFA Champions League 2026/27 playoff return leg sees LASK host Celtic at the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, with the Austrian champions facing a formidable three-goal deficit after falling 3-0 at Celtic Park in the first leg. A place in the lucrative Champions League league phase hangs in the balance, and while Celtic hold a commanding advantage built on Benjamin Nygren's opener and a Camilo Durán double in Glasgow, LASK will draw on their passionate home support to attempt a historic comeback. This tie represents the first ever competitive meeting between the two clubs, adding extra intrigue to a high-stakes European night where the winners will advance to the league phase draw on 27 August.

LASK's squad for the 2026/27 season is anchored by the core that delivered their first Austrian Bundesliga title since 1964-65, with manager Dietmar Kuhbauer relying on goalkeeper Lukas Jungwirth, a back three of Xavier Mbuyamba, Alemão and Andrés Andrade, a hard-working midfield featuring Kasper Jørgensen, Robert Ljubičić, Melayro Bogarde, Sascha Horvath and George Bello, and an attacking pairing of Samuel Adeniran and Moses Usor. The Linz side have shown resilience in recent months, though they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sturm Graz in late April. European odds for the home win in this return leg sit around 2.40, reflecting both the difficulty of overturning the deficit and LASK's proven goal-scoring threat at the Raiffeisen Arena.

Sabah Baku host Hapoel Beer Sheva on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, in the decisive second leg of the UEFA Champions League 2026/2027 Play-Off Round at the Tofik Bakhramov Stadium. The Azerbaijani side face a stern challenge after falling to a 2-1 defeat in the first leg at the Rapid-Giulești Stadium in Bucharest, where Veljko Simić gave Sabah an early lead before Javon East and Igor Zlatanović turned the match around for the Israeli outfit. With a place in the lucrative Champions League league phase on the line, Sabah must win by a two-goal margin in front of their home supporters to keep their European dream alive.

Both managers are expected to field their strongest available selections from the 2026/2027 season squads. Sabah coach Valdas Dambrauskas can call upon goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov, a back four featuring Akim Zedadka, Steve Solvet, Rahman Dashdamirov and Tymoteusz Puchacz, with Umarali Rakhmonaliev and Ivan Lepinjica shielding the defence. The attacking unit of Aleksey Isayev, Veljko Simić and Joy-Lance Mickels will look to unlock a Hapoel defence marshalled by captain Miguel Vítor, with Ofir Marciano between the posts. Hapoel coach Ran Kozuk is likely to stick with the 4-3-3 system that worked in the first leg, deploying Guy Mizrahi, Itay Rotman and Pedro Amador alongside Vítor, while Eliel Peretz, Lucas Ventura and Niv Yehoshua control midfield. The front three of Javon East, Igor Zlatanović and Zahi Ahmed carry the goal threat, though Eylon Almog remains unavailable for the visitors.

AEK Athens host Levski Sofia on August 26, 2026, in the decisive second leg of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 play-off round at the Agia Sophia Stadium. The tie remains perfectly balanced after a goalless draw in the first leg at the Vivacom Arena in Sofia on August 18, where neither side managed to break the deadlock despite several chances at both ends. The winner of this encounter will secure a coveted place in the Champions League league phase, while the defeated team will drop into the UEFA Europa League group stage. With both clubs seeking a return to Europe's elite competition after lengthy absences, the atmosphere in Athens is expected to be electric as the Greek champions look to capitalize on home advantage and overturn the stalemate from Bulgaria.

Marko Nikolić's AEK Athens squad for the 2026/2027 season features a blend of experience and quality throughout the spine of the team. Albania international Thomas Strakosha guards the goal behind a defensive line marshalled by Harold Moukoudi, Domagoj Vida, and Portuguese summer signing Filipe Relvas. The midfield is powered by Romanian international Răzvan Marin, Mexican playmaker Orbelín Pineda, captain Petros Mantalos, and Croatian technician Lovro Majer, while the attacking threat comes from Serbian striker Luka Jović, Aboubakary Koïta, Hungarian forward Barnabás Varga, and Angola's Zini. AEK reached this stage in dramatic fashion and will draw confidence from recent European experience, including a 3-1 home victory over Rayo Vallecano and a 3-0 defeat away to the same opposition in the Conference League quarter-finals last season.

Tottenham Hotspur will welcome Charlton Athletic to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday, 26 August 2026, for a second-round tie in the 2026–27 Carabao Cup. Kick-off is set for 7:45pm BST. The fixture represents the first competitive encounter between the two sides since January 2011, when Spurs eased to a 3–0 victory in an FA Cup third-round tie at White Hart Lane thanks to goals from Andros Townsend and a quickfire double from Jermain Defoe.

Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham squad for the 2026/2027 season features a blend of established stars and summer acquisitions, with Antonín Kinský in goal, a defensive line including Pedro Porro, Jan Paul van Hecke, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie, and an attacking unit led by Dominic Solanke, Mathys Tel, Dejan Kulusevski and Xavi Simons. Spurs come into this cup tie looking to bounce back from a difficult end to the previous Premier League campaign, which saw them suffer a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea and manage only a 1-1 draw at home to Leeds United in their final two league outings.

Olympique Lyonnais will host Fenerbahçe in the decisive second leg of the UEFA Champions League 2026/2027 play-off round on August 26, 2026, at Parc Olympique Lyonnais, with a place in the lucrative league phase hanging in the balance. The first leg in Istanbul ended in a 1-1 draw on August 18, leaving everything to play for in France. Lyon come into this encounter looking to capitalize on their home advantage after a mixed end to their Ligue 1 campaign, which included a thrilling 4-2 victory over Rennes in their final home outing of the domestic season.

Paulo Fonseca's Lyon squad for the 2026/2027 season features a blend of experience and emerging talent, with Dominik Greif between the posts and a defensive unit including Abner, Moussa Niakhaté, Ruben Kluivert, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The midfield is anchored by captain Corentin Tolisso alongside Tyler Morton and Tanner Tessmann, while the attacking trio of Malick Fofana, Loïs Openda, and Ernest Nuamah provides pace and creativity. However, Lyon will be without key midfielder Pavel Sulc and defender Nicolas Tagliafico, which could prove costly against a battle-hardened Fenerbahçe side that has already eliminated Górnik Zabrze and Sturm Graz without conceding a goal in their last three European outings.

The UEFA Champions League play-off second leg between Viking and Dinamo Zagreb takes centre stage on August 26, 2026, at Viking Stadion in Stavanger, Norway. The tie is perfectly poised after a breathtaking 2-2 draw in the first leg at Stadion Maksimir on August 18, where the Croatian champions surged into a two-goal lead inside ten minutes through Dion Drena Beljo and Mateo Lisica, only for the Norwegian side to mount a stunning comeback with goals from Peter Christiansen and Zlatko Tripić before half-time. With a coveted place in the Champions League league phase on the line, the return fixture promises to be a tense and tactical battle under the Stavanger floodlights.

Both managers will turn to their established 2026/2027 season squads for this winner-takes-all clash. Viking will look to captain Zlatko Tripić, leading scorer Peter Christiansen, midfield general Kristoffer Askildsen, and the defensive pairing of Henrik Heggheim and Gianni Stensness, with veteran goalkeeper Arild Østbø providing experience between the posts. Dinamo Zagreb coach Mario Kovačević can call upon a deep and talented roster featuring goalkeeper Ivan Nevistić, defenders Scott McKenna and Kévin Théophile-Catherine, creative midfielders Luka Stojković and Matteo Perez Vinlöf, and the first-leg goalscorers Dion Drena Beljo and Mateo Lisica, all of whom were instrumental in the club's ruthless 7-1 aggregate victory over Kauno Žalgiris in the previous qualifying round.

AGF Aarhus welcome SL Benfica to Ceres Park for the second leg of their Europa League qualifying play-off on August 27, 2026, facing a daunting task after falling to a 3-1 defeat at the Estádio da Luz in the first leg. The Danish champions, competing in European competition for the first time in decades, must overturn a two-goal deficit against a Benfica side that has demonstrated formidable attacking prowess under new manager Marco Silva. With a place in the Europa League league phase at stake, Aarhus will need a near-miraculous turnaround on home soil to keep their continental campaign alive.

Recent form offers little encouragement for the home side, as Aarhus have struggled in domestic and European fixtures alike. Their 0-1 loss to Midtjylland in February and the 2-1 reverse in the return fixture in April highlight ongoing challenges against top-tier opposition. Benfica, meanwhile, arrive in Jutland in confident mood following a dominant 0-7 victory away to Casa Pia and a 2-2 draw against Academico Viseu to open their Primeira Liga campaign. The Eagles have scored freely across all competitions and will look to exploit an Aarhus defence that has conceded heavily in recent European outings.

AGF Aarhus welcome SL Benfica to Ceres Park for the second leg of their Europa League qualifying play-off on August 27, 2026, facing a daunting task after falling to a 3-1 defeat at the Estádio da Luz in the first leg. The Danish champions, competing in European competition for the first time in decades, must overturn a two-goal deficit against a Benfica side that has demonstrated formidable attacking prowess under new manager Marco Silva. With a place in the Europa League league phase at stake, Aarhus will need a near-miraculous turnaround on home soil to keep their continental campaign alive.

Recent form offers little encouragement for the home side, as Aarhus have struggled in domestic and European fixtures alike. Their 0-1 loss to Midtjylland in February and the 2-1 reverse in the return fixture in April highlight ongoing challenges against top-tier opposition. Benfica, meanwhile, arrive in Jutland in confident mood following a dominant 0-7 victory away to Casa Pia and a 2-2 draw against Academico Viseu to open their Primeira Liga campaign. The Eagles have scored freely across all competitions and will look to exploit an Aarhus defence that has conceded heavily in recent European outings.

CSKA Sofia face a monumental task when they host OFI Crete in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League play-off round on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at Stadion Balgarska Armija in Sofia. Following a disappointing 3-0 defeat in the first leg at Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion, where Taxiarchis Fountas netted twice and Lorenzo Dickmann added a goal in fourth-minute stoppage time, the Bulgarian side must overcome a three-goal deficit to keep their European dreams alive. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 local time, and the Army Men will need to summon their best European performance under manager Hristo Yanev to turn the tie around.

The hosts enter this crucial encounter on the back of mixed domestic form during the early stages of the 2026-27 First League campaign. CSKA Sofia edged past Botev Plovdiv in a thrilling 3-2 encounter on July 27, shared the spoils in a hard-fought 0-0 draw away to Slavia Sofia on July 20, and suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to champions Ludogorets on May 25. Despite these results, the Sofia-based club has shown resilience in European qualifying, having already eliminated Derry City, Qarabag on penalties, and Maccabi Tel Aviv to reach this stage.

Ferencváros host Trabzonspor at the Groupama Arena in Budapest on August 27, 2026, for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League play-off tie. The Hungarian champions carry a narrow 1-0 aggregate lead into the return fixture after Kristoffer Zachariassen's decisive strike secured a hard-fought away victory at Papara Park on August 20. With a place in the Europa League group stage on the line, both sides will field their full 2026/2027 squads in what promises to be a tense evening under the lights in the Hungarian capital.

The home side will rely on their experienced 2026/2027 squad, with captain Dénes Dibusz between the posts and a defensive unit featuring Mariano Gómez, Nathan Zohoré and Attila Osváth. Midfield creativity comes from Cadu and Philippe Rommens, while Kristoffer Zachariassen and Lenny Joseph provide the attacking thrust. Ferencváros have shown solid domestic form this season, and their most recent league outing saw them record a 2-1 victory over Puskás Academy as they continue to balance European commitments with NB I obligations.

Ferencváros host Trabzonspor at the Groupama Arena in Budapest on August 27, 2026, for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League play-off tie. The Hungarian champions carry a narrow 1-0 aggregate lead into the return fixture after Kristoffer Zachariassen's decisive strike secured a hard-fought away victory at Papara Park on August 20. With a place in the Europa League group stage on the line, both sides will field their full 2026/2027 squads in what promises to be a tense evening under the lights in the Hungarian capital.

The home side will rely on their experienced 2026/2027 squad, with captain Dénes Dibusz between the posts and a defensive unit featuring Mariano Gómez, Nathan Zohoré and Attila Osváth. Midfield creativity comes from Cadu and Philippe Rommens, while Kristoffer Zachariassen and Lenny Joseph provide the attacking thrust. Ferencváros have shown solid domestic form this season, and their most recent league outing saw them record a 2-1 victory over Puskás Academy as they continue to balance European commitments with NB I obligations.

The UEFA Europa League play-off return leg between Kauno Žalgiris and Beşiktaş is set for Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the S. Darius and S. Girėnas Stadium in Kaunas. The Lithuanian champions face a daunting task after the first leg in Istanbul, where Vincenzo Italiano's side leveraged their superior quality at Tüpraş Stadium. With a place in the Europa League group stage on the line, Kauno Žalgiris will need an extraordinary performance to overturn the deficit against the Turkish giants.

Recent form highlights the challenge ahead for the home side. Kauno Žalgiris secured a comfortable 0-3 victory over BFA Vilnius in the Lithuanian Cup back in June, but their European campaign suffered a heavy blow after dropping down from Champions League qualifying. Beşiktaş arrive with mixed recent results, having played out a 2-2 draw away to Rizespor, suffered a surprising 0-1 home defeat to Konyaspor in the Turkish Cup, and managed a 0-0 stalemate against Karagümrük in league action.