A week after the return of the Champions League, it’s now time for the Europa League to start. There are some great matches in Week 1 already.
Here’s the lowdown on the latest odds on the winner market, the best outright bet, and why, in one way, this is the biggest European trophy!
Best Bet: Back Bournemouth to Make the Final
English teams have been regularly present in European Cup finals of late, of which 2025-6 was a good example. Villa won the competition, with Crystal Palace taking the Conference League and Arsenal losing the Champions League final on penalties to PSG.
So step forward Bournemouth, who, despite being in Europe for the first time, look like a team in good shape. Their experience of high-tempo football in the Premier League should leave them well-prepared for the challenges in this competition.
With relegation as unlikely as a Top 4 finish, it would be no surprise if they made this competition their priority for the season under new manager Marco Rose. And, with some quality players like Evanilson, Ryan, Marcus Tavernier, Alex Scott and Antono Silva in the side, they could go pretty deep. A huge final against a big side may eventually prove too much for them, if they get that far, so the 6.5 that they make the final is good enough for us.
Europa League Outright Odds
The winner market is dominated by two grand old names of Italian and European football. Juventus (8.0) and AC Milan (8.5) are the favourites, despite not being the force of old and neither of them winning Serie A in years.
Then there are Bayer Leverkusen, Bournemouth (making their European debut), Marseille and Real Sociedad at around the 13.0 mark, followed by Premier League duo Sunderland and Crystal Palace at 17. Palace, it should be remembered, won last year’s Conference League, though this looks like a step up in class, and it would be a huge upset if they managed to do it all over again.
Benfica, who are normally in the Champions League, are 19.0, the same price as Hoffenheim.
In the ‘To Reach the Final’ market, Milan and Juventus are 4.5, Leverkusen 5.5 and Bournemouth 6.5.
The Standout Matches of Week 1
AC Milan v Benfica looks the pick of them, with Milan, managed by Portuguese ex-Manchester United boss Rúben Amorim, favourites at 2.1 to beat Benfica, with the draw 3.5 and the Benfica win 3.6. Odds on both teams to score are 1.53.
In another Portuguese connection, current Portugal international and former PSG man Goncalo Ramos is 2.5 to score, while prolific Benfica striker Vangelis Pavlidis is 2.8 to get a goal of his own.
Elsewhere, Besiktas - Marseille could be a fiery, competitive encounter, with the hosts at 1.8, the draw at 4.9 and a Marseille win at 3.9.
Another close game could be Real Sociedad v Bournemouth, with Sociedad at 2.63, the Cherries marginally favourites at 2.5 and the draw looking a lively runner at 3.5.
Fun Fact
It’s no secret that the Europa League sits behind the Champions League in terms of prestige, media attention and prize money, but in one way the Europa League is a bigger trophy. In this case - literally!
The trophy weighs 15kg, making it the heaviest piece of UEFA silverware. That's quite a trophy to be lifting in Frankfurt, so let’s hope the winning captain has strong enough arms to be able to hold it aloft!
