Who Could Win the UEFA Europa League?

Benfica host Celtic at the Estádio da Luz on Thursday, 15 October 2026, in Matchday 2 of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase, with kick-off set for 20:00 WEST in Lisbon. The Portuguese giants arrive in strong European form after opening their campaign with a stunning 0-2 away victory over AC Milan at San Siro, while Celtic were left reeling from a shock 1-3 home defeat to Ferencváros on Matchday 1. History favours the hosts on this fixture: Benfica have won every previous meeting with Celtic at the Estádio da Luz, including a 2-1 success in their most recent clash back in November 2012.

Both sides head into this contest smarting from bruising domestic setbacks. Benfica's remarkable 55-match unbeaten run came to an end in O Clássico, a heated 3-1 defeat away to FC Porto at the Estádio do Dragão, where Clément Lenglet was sent off in the first half. Celtic's confidence has taken an even bigger hit under Martin O'Neill: the Hoops suffered back-to-back Old Firm defeats, going down 3-0 at Ibrox before slumping to a 0-1 home loss to Rangers at Celtic Park, leaving questions over a defence that has kept just three clean sheets all season.

As the 2026/27 Europa League campaign moves into its decisive autumn stretch, Bournemouth vs Sturm Graz shapes up as a Vitality Stadium tie where Premier League intensity meets Austrian precision; the latest team news points to Bournemouth managing a short turnaround after Chelsea 1–2 Bournemouth, while their earlier rhythm was built in Bournemouth 2–1 Liverpool and a useful European lesson from Real Sociedad 1–1 Bournemouth.

Sturm Graz arrive with their own continental reference points, having already been tested in Sturm Graz 1–1 Rennes and carrying domestic momentum from Sturm Graz 3–0 LASK, but the step up in tempo, defensive line speed and box occupation against Bournemouth makes this the hardest away assignment of their 2026/27 European schedule so far.

One of the most intriguing fixtures of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase takes place on Thursday, 15 October 2026, when Slovenian champions NK Celje host Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia at Stadion Z'dežele in Celje. The match kicks off at 18:45 CET and marks the first-ever competitive meeting between the two clubs. Celje's European journey this season began with a painful 2:0 defeat away to Bayer Leverkusen in their opening league phase match, while Omonia made a perfect start, edging Celta Vigo 1:0 at the GSP Stadium on matchday one. With both teams targeting a place in the top 24, this head-to-head in Slovenia could prove decisive come January.

NK Celje head into this clash under head coach Zoran Zeljković, who is relying on a well-balanced 2026/27 squad built around captain and midfielder Mark Zabukovnik, goalkeeper Žan-Luk Leban, striker Blaž Kramer, and creative talents Svit Sešlar, Benjamin Verbič, Milot Avdyli, Veton Tusha, and Yaya Dukuly. The Slovenian champions will be desperate to bounce back in front of their home fans, having struggled domestically as well — they were held to a goalless draw by Mura before slipping to a surprise 0:1 home defeat to the same opponents earlier in the season. Omonia, meanwhile, arrive full of confidence under Henning Berg, with Belgian goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski marshalling a defence featuring Senou Coulibaly, Jure Balkovec, and Lubomír Šatka, while Loïs Diony, Muamer Tanković, Jaden Montnor, and Ewandro provide the firepower. Berg's men arrive on the back of a spectacular away win, thrashing Aris Limassol 4:1 in the Cypriot First Division.

Celta Vigo and Juventus renew their European rivalry on Thursday, October 15, 2026, when the two sides meet at Estadio Abanca-Balaídos in Vigo for Matchday 2 of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase. Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 local time, and it promises to be a special European night in Galicia as Claudio Giráldez's Celeste host Italian giants now managed by Luciano Spalletti. Both clubs reshaped their squads over the summer: Celta brought in goalkeeper Altay Bayındır on loan from Manchester United, defender Sebastián Cáceres from Club América, Abdoulaye Faye and Couhaib Driouech, while also welcoming Stefan Bajcetic back from Liverpool, whereas Juventus signed Guglielmo Vicario, Kamil Grabara, Zeki Çelik, Jhon Lúcumi, Pape Matar Sarr, Nick Woltemade and secured the return of Randal Kolo Muani. Celta arrive in mixed form — a dominant 5-0 statement over Racing Santander (5-0) was followed by a 1-0 Europa League defeat in Nicosia (1-0) and a 1-1 home draw with Málaga (1-1), leaving them near the bottom of La Liga.

Juventus, meanwhile, have looked sharper in big games, dispatching Atalanta 2-0 in Serie A (2-0) and hammering NEC Nijmegen 5-0 in Europe (5-0), though their only recent slip came in a 3-2 defeat at Sassuolo (3-2). Team news could prove decisive in Vigo: Celta are without Carl Starfelt, Miguel Román and Jones El-Abdellaoui, while summer signing Cáceres suffered pubalgia on international duty with Uruguay and faces a race to be fit. Juventus have their own lengthy absentee list — Lloyd Kelly is suspended and Kenan Yıldız, Manuel Locatelli, Jérémie Boga, Juan Cabal, Khéphren Thuram, Grabara and Augusto Owusu are all out — leaving Spalletti to lean on Vicario in goal, Bremer and Lúcumi in defence, Koopmeiners and Sarr in midfield, and the attacking quartet of Kolo Muani, Jonathan David, Edon Zhegrova and Francisco Conceição.

Dinamo Zagreb host Anderlecht at Stadion Maksimir on Thursday, 15 October 2026, in what promises to be a fascinating UEFA Europa League league phase Matchday 2 clash. Both sides are still searching for their first win of the European campaign: Dinamo sit 19th in the table with a single point after a goalless draw away to Hapoel Beer Sheva, while Anderlecht are 23rd on zero points following their 1-2 home defeat to Lyon on Matchday 1. The Croatian champions have been in strong domestic form under Mario Kovačević, though, bouncing back from a 2-2 draw at Istra and a narrow defeat to Hajduk Split to crush HNK Vukovar 4-0 in the cup earlier this month.

Historically, this fixture favours the Blues. Dinamo Zagreb are unbeaten in their last two meetings with Anderlecht in Europe, winning 2-0 in Brussels and drawing 0-0 in Zagreb back in the 2018/19 Europa League group stage. Anderlecht, coached by Vítor Bruno in his first season at the club, have actually been impressive in Belgium with wins over Zulte Waregem (3-0), Reims (3-0) and Cercle Brugge (2-1), plus a hard-fought 0-1 away victory at KV Mechelen, but their European away record remains a concern. Dinamo's home form in Europe has been solid this season too — they won five of their six home qualifiers before falling to Viking in the Champions League play-off.

TSG Hoffenheim host Beşiktaş JK at the SNP Arena (PreZero Arena) in Sinsheim on Thursday, 15 October 2026, in what promises to be one of the most intriguing UEFA Europa League league-phase fixtures of matchday three. Hoffenheim arrive in mixed form following a dramatic 2-3 home defeat to Hamburger SV in the Bundesliga last weekend, though they did edge VfB Stuttgart 2-1 earlier in the campaign and remain a dangerous attacking side under their progressive system. Beşiktaş, meanwhile, travel to Germany sitting fourth in the Turkish Super Lig table after a blistering run that included a commanding 4-1 victory over Olympique Marseille in Europe — a result that announced the Black Eagles as genuine knockout-stage contenders this season.

The head-to-head record between these two clubs is remarkably balanced, with the teams having met only once before in European competition, ending in a draw, so Thursday's clash offers both sides a chance to seize a psychological edge. Hoffenheim's domestic inconsistencies — including a 3-1 reverse away to Paderborn — contrast with a solid European opening, where they also dispatched OFI Crete 2-0 on the road in September. Beşiktaş have been far from flawless either, slipping to a narrow 2-3 defeat at Amed Sportif between their European heroics, but their 2-1 win over fierce rivals Fenerbahçe in the Istanbul derby underlined the character in their squad. With both teams averaging well over two goals per game across all competitions this term, goals look almost guaranteed in Sinsheim.

Lech Poznań host Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday 15 October 2026 at the Enea Stadion in Poznań, with kick-off scheduled for 18:45 CET, in one of the standout fixtures of Matchday 2 in the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase. The Polish champions are looking to bounce back after a humbling 4-0 defeat away to Crystal Palace on the opening night, a result that left Niels Frederiksen's men bottom of the early standings with a minus-four goal difference. Leverkusen, meanwhile, arrive in Poland full of confidence after a spectacular seven-goal thriller in the Bundesliga, and with both clubs desperate for points to keep pace in the race for the knockout rounds, an intense evening is expected in front of a passionate Poznań crowd.

Lech's 2026/27 squad under Danish coach Niels Frederiksen is built around captain Mikael Ishak, the club's all-time top scorer in European competitions, with Mateusz Lis in goal and a defensive unit featuring Joel Pereira, Robert Gumny, Michał Gurgul, Wojciech Mońka and Terry Yegbe. The midfield engine room is powered by Radosław Murawski, Antoni Kozubal, Filip Jagiełło and Pablo Rodríguez, while Patrik Wålemark, Luis Palma, Allahyar Sayyadmanesh and Yannick Agnero provide the attacking thrust — Wålemark already netting five times in UEFA competition this season, including braces in the 7-0 and 5-0 play-off routs of Thun and KÍ. Domestically, Lech have been solid, edging 2-1 past Jagiellonia Białystok at the Enea Stadion in early September, though their opening Ekstraklasa fixture against Cracovia ended goalless and the heavy loss at Selhurst Park exposed real defensive frailties against elite opposition.

Olympique Lyon host Crystal Palace at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais on Thursday, 15 October 2026, kick-off 18:45 CEST, in one of the most intriguing fixtures of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase. It is a genuine first: the two clubs have never met competitively, largely because until 2025 shared ownership under John Textor saw UEFA demote Palace from the Europa League to the Conference League. That stake has since been unwound, and Palace arrive in France as the reigning Conference League holders after Jean-Philippe Mateta's goal sealed a 1-0 final win over Rayo Vallecano in May 2026 — the first European trophy in the club's history. Lyon, meanwhile, are seven-time French champions with a proud continental record, and the Groupama Stadium crowd of nearly 59,000 will make this a proper European night.

Lyon's 2026/27 squad has been significantly refreshed and is producing results. Matchday one in Brussels saw OL run out 4-1 winners over Anderlecht, with goals from Noah Nartey, Keito Nakamura, Moussa Niakhaté and Mohamed Ouédraogo — a statement win in the competition. Paulo Fonseca's side blends experience with new blood: captain Corentin Tolisso anchors the midfield alongside Tyler Morton, Tanner Tessmann and summer signing Mads Bidstrup, while the attack is led by in-form Ernest Nuamah, Belgian striker Loïs Openda on loan, Japanese international Keito Nakamura and exciting teenager Noah Nartey, with Julien Duranville and Kaïl Boudache adding depth. Palace, under Oliver Glasner in his final chapter after delivering that European triumph, counter with Dean Henderson in goal, a back line marshalled by Marc Guéhi and Maxence Lacroix, and a dangerous front line featuring Mateta, Eberechi Eze and Ismaïla Sarr, plus Adam Wharton and Jefferson Lerma in midfield.

Marseille host Olympiacos Piraeus at the Stade Vélodrome on Thursday 15 October 2026 in a 2026-27 UEFA Europa League league-phase match that arrives with very different momentum: Marseille are still searching for stability after a painful opening loss in Europe, 4-1 at Beşiktaş, while Olympiacos opened their campaign with a confident 2-1 home win over Jagiellonia Białystok. The latest team news points to Marseille needing a response under pressure at home, with their season squad built around Amine Gouiri, Amine Harit, Himad Abdelli, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Tochukwu Nnadi, Nouhoum Kamissoko, Faris Moumbagna, Nayef Aguerd, Bamo Meïté and CJ Egan-Riley, although Kondogbia’s muscle issue, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg’s dead leg, Dennis Cornelius’ hip problem and Timothy Weah’s suspension cloud the selection picture.

Olympiacos travel with the clearer early European picture under Imanol Alguacil, leaning on a 2026/2027 squad featuring Ayoub El Kaabi, Armando González, Jota Silva, Leon Bailey, Gustavo Sá, Gustavo Puerta, Remo Freuler, David Carmo and Bruno Onyemaechi, but the big caveat is El Kaabi’s availability after a reported broken tibia, which would leave González as the most merit-based starting striker. The Greek side’s compact structure and quick transitions through Bailey, Jota Silva and Sá are dangerous, yet Marseille’s individual quality at home, especially if Gouiri and Harit find space between the lines, should give the French club enough attacking edge to control long stretches.

NEC Nijmegen host Levski Sofia at the Goffertstadion on Thursday 15 October 2026 (21:00 CEST) for Matchday 2 of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase. It is a meeting of two sides still searching for their first points in the competition: NEC were routed 0:5 away to Juventus on Matchday 1, while Levski Sofia fell 0:1 at home to RB Salzburg, beaten by a single Haris Tabaković strike in Sofia. Both teams arrive wounded but motivated, and the Dutch side will lean on their vocal home crowd in Nijmegen to bounce back after conceding five in Turin.

Form heading into this fixture points to a tight but goal-capable contest. NEC have been inconsistent in the Eredivisie, drawing 2:2 with Excelsior before the international break, and losing 1:3 to Feyenoord earlier in September, though they did beat Willem II 4-1 and PEC Zwolle 3-1 earlier in the campaign. Levski, meanwhile, are unbeaten domestically but were held 0-0 by Botev Vratsa last time out, and Julio Velázquez's men struggled for cutting edge against Salzburg, failing to register a single shot on target across 14 attempts.

NEC Nijmegen host Levski Sofia at the Goffertstadion on Thursday 15 October 2026 (21:00 CEST) for Matchday 2 of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase. It is a meeting of two sides still searching for their first points in the competition: NEC were routed 0:5 away to Juventus on Matchday 1, while Levski Sofia fell 0:1 at home to RB Salzburg, beaten by a single Haris Tabaković strike in Sofia. Both teams arrive wounded but motivated, and the Dutch side will lean on their vocal home crowd in Nijmegen to bounce back after conceding five in Turin.

Form heading into this fixture points to a tight but goal-capable contest. NEC have been inconsistent in the Eredivisie, drawing 2:2 with Excelsior before the international break, and losing 1:3 to Feyenoord earlier in September, though they did beat Willem II 4-1 and PEC Zwolle 3-1 earlier in the campaign. Levski, meanwhile, are unbeaten domestically but were held 0-0 by Botev Vratsa last time out, and Julio Velázquez's men struggled for cutting edge against Salzburg, failing to register a single shot on target across 14 attempts.

Europa League League Phase Matchday 2 brings us to the Red Bull Arena in Wals-Siezenheim on Thursday, 15 October 2026, where FC Salzburg host AC Milan in one of the headline fixtures of this season's league phase. Both clubs opened their 2026/27 European campaigns in contrasting fashion — Salzburg ground out a narrow 1-0 away win at Levski Sofia, sealed by Haris Tabaković's close-range strike before half-time (0-1), while Milan suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat to Benfica at San Siro despite dominating possession (0-2). The Rossoneri responded well domestically, brushing Lecce aside 3-0 with goals from Pulisic, Rabiot and Diego Moreira (3-0), and remain unbeaten in Serie A after also drawing 2-2 away to Lazio (2-2).

Looking at the 2026/2027 squads, Salzburg remain a youthful, high-pressing side built around goalkeeper Christian Zawieschitzky, defenders Nikolas Veratschnig, Kévin Boma and Valentin Zabransky, a midfield anchored by Bartosz Mazurek and Abubakr Barry, and an attack led by experienced striker Haris Tabaković alongside Yorbe Vertessen, Edmund Baidoo and Sota Kitano. AC Milan, coached by Rúben Amorim, can call on a deeper and more seasoned roster featuring Mike Maignan between the posts, a back line including Koni De Winter and Mario Gila, the midfield engine of Adrien Rabiot, and a dangerous front three of Christian Pulisic, Gonçalo Ramos and Diego Moreira. Salzburg's injury list — Soumaïla Diabaté, Gaoussou Diakité and Johannes Moser — thins their options, whereas Milan travelled with a near full-strength squad for this midweek European trip.

Torreense welcome Sunderland to the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Thursday 15 October 2026, kick-off 17:45 BST, for a UEFA Europa League 2026/27 league phase clash that pits one of the competition's great fairy-tale stories against a Premier League side enjoying its return to European football. Torreense, a second-tier Portuguese club who stunned Sporting CP to lift the Portuguese Cup in May 2026, are playing their home European fixtures away from Torres Vedras because their own ground does not meet UEFA standards, while Sunderland — back in Europe for the first time in years under Régis Le Bris — arrive in Portugal looking to build on their winning start in the competition.

The Portuguese cup holders have made an impressive beginning to their maiden European campaign, marking their Europa League debut with a historic away victory, stunning Lillestrøm 1-2 in Norway thanks to goals from Álex Alfaro and Manu Pozo — a result that made them only the fifth team in history to win their first European match in such circumstances. Domestically in Liga Portugal 2, however, life has been tougher, with a goalless 0-0 draw against Leixões showing that goals can be hard to come by against organised opposition. Coach's expected spine of Adriel Ramos in goal, David Bruno, Volnei Feltes, Stopira and Javi Vázquez in defence, Amine Oudrhiri and André Simões in midfield, and the creative trio of Alfaro, Pozo and Dany Jean supporting Musa Drammeh, will need to be at their very best to trouble an English top-flight defence.