The 24/25 UEFA Europa League playoffs kicked off in July, and we are headed into the final weeks with 28 teams already eliminated. Besiktas and Viktoria Plzen are the two strong teams left, and they are up against Lugano and Hearts, respectively. Our Europa League 2024 playoff predictions offer valuable insights and tips in this competition.
The 2024–25 UEFA Europa League Qualifying phase and play-off round began on the 11th of July and will end on the 29th of August 2024. A total of 52 teams compete in the qualifying system, which includes the qualifying phase and the play-off round. The 12 winners of the play-off round will advance to the main competition, while the losers will be transferred to the Conference League 24/25.
Ajax survived a scare in the previous round against Panathinaikos, but they have a much easier opponent in this round in the face of Polish Jagiellonia. Another interesting contest is the clash between Braga and Rapid Wien.
| ℹ️ Tournament: | UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Qualification Playoffs, First Leg |
| ⚽️ Venue: | Doosan Arena, Plzen, Czech Republic |
| 🗓️ Date: | 22 August 2024 |
| ⏰ Time: | 17:00 GMT on Thursday |
The odds for the first leg between Viktoria Plzen and Hearts are ready, and the hosts have the advantage on the European betting sites:
Viktoria Plzen began their Europa League playoffs against Kryvbas, and they got the job done, beating the Ukrainians 3-1 on aggregate. Miroslav Koubek’s team are in top form this season, winning six out of seven matches and going unbeaten in that period. Viktoria Plzen has some players out injured but they are still fantastic in attack, netting 15 goals in their last seven games. Cheick Souare, Christophe Kabongo, and Jan Paluska are absent from the team through injuries.
Hearts are having one of their worst starts to a season, with five losses in their first six matches. The Scottish side are yet to win a game this term and they are already out of the League Cup, losing to a weak Falkirk team. Steven Naismith’s team will travel to the Czech Republic without the services of Beni Baningime and Calem Nieuwenhof, who are unfit for this clash. Andres Salazar joined the club on loan from Atletico Nacional, and with the defense in crisis, he is in line for a debut on Thursday.
3 (100%)
0
Viktoria Plzen is the favorite heading into this clash, and they have been fantastic in the early stages of this season. On the other hand, Hearts have failed to replicate their form from last season, and they are in real danger of missing out on a place in the Europa League’s main competition. Viktoria Plzen has won four games in a row and they conceded just one goal in that period, which came in an away game vs Kryvbas. So far this season, the hosts have a very good home record, which makes this a very difficult fixture for the Scottish team who are winless in seven consecutive away games. Backing the home team to win by at least two goals is the best option on the Viktoria Plzen vs Hearts betting predictions.
| ℹ️ Tournament: | UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Qualification Playoffs, First Leg |
| ⚽️ Venue: | Stockhorn Arena, Thun, Switzerland |
| 🗓️ Date: | 22 August 2024 |
| ⏰ Time: | 18:30 GMT on Thursday |
Ahead of the game in Switzerland, below are the UEL 2024 playoff odds between Lugano and Besiktas:
Lugano left it late against Partizan Belgrade in the third round of the playoffs to maintain their place in this competition. The Swiss team dropped from the Champions League playoffs to the Europa League playoffs after a 6-4 aggregate loss to Fenerbahce, and they haven’t been convincing in Europe this season. Mattia Croci-Torti’s team has a better record in their league games, winning three out of their first four matches, but they have to translate this form to the playoffs or risk elimination. Mattia Bottani is the only player absent from the team as he awaits the medical green light.
Besiktas picked up their third consecutive win of the season in a 4-2 victory over Antalyaspor over the weekend. The Black Eagles started their season with a huge win over Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Cup and they have made a huge statement ahead of their Europa League Playoffs campaign. Besiktas has a lot of quality in their ranks, and with Ciro Immobile leading the line this season, they are one of the best tips for Europa League playoffs 24-25. Giovanni Van Bronckhorst will be traveling to Switzerland with his team at full strength.
3 (100%)
0
The odds are close because Besiktas is playing away from home in the first leg but they can pick up a win in this match. The Turkish team have made good additions to the team with key signings like Ciro Immobile, Rafa Silva, and Gabriel Paulista. Lugano is much weaker on paper, and they have won just two of their last five matches in all competitions. Besiktas has won their last six matches and they are strong enough to get the win in Switzerland. A bet on the Black and Whites to win is the best available option on the Lugano vs Besiktas 2024 predictions.
| ℹ️ Tournament: | UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Qualification Playoffs, First Leg |
| ⚽️ Venue: | Stadio Toumbas, Thessaloniki, Greece |
| 🗓️ Date: | 22 August 2024 |
| ⏰ Time: | 17:30 GMT on Thursday |
Here are the odds for the first leg between PAOK and Shamrock Rovers, which are available on the best football bookies.
PAOK was knocked out of the Champions League playoffs against Malmo, conceding two late goals and losing 6-5 on aggregate. Razvan Lucescu’s team still has another shot at playing in Europe and they are heavily favored on the PAOK vs Rovers UEL 2024 predictions. Apart from the defeat to Malmo, PAOK has done well this season, picking up three wins in their first five games. The Greek team will be without Abdul Rahman Baba for the first leg, and they have a decent team to face Shamrock Rovers.
Stephen Bradley’s side were underdogs in the last round of 2024 UEL betting tips, coming back from a goal down in the first leg to beat NK Celje 3-2 on aggregate. The Hoops were also present in the Champions League playoffs this season, but they lost to a much better Sparta Prague team over two legs. Shamrock Rovers are underdogs on the Europa League 24/25 bookmakers, with even much bigger odds than the previous round, and they have to be at their best to stand a chance of qualifying. Rory Gaffney and Johnny Kenny are unavailable due to injuries.
1 (50%)
(50%) 1
Shamrock Rovers aren’t expected to make it past this stage, and the bookmakers have them at a huge 15.00 (14/1) to pick up an unlikely win in Greece. The hosts are still without a big win this season, both in the friendlies and official competitions, failing to win by more than a goal in their last eight matches. Shamrock Rovers haven’t lost by up to a three-goal margin in their last 12 matches, and they will sit back for a result ahead of the second leg. Backing the visitors to avoid a defeat of more than a two-goal margin is a valuable offer on the PAOK vs Shamrock Rovers betting picks.
Our Europa Qualification preview offers good tips on the next round of this competition like the Lugano vs Besiktas betting tips and other games in this playoffs. You can make extra profit from these matches by using our expert betting tips and predictions.
