The Europa League quarterfinals are set for April 8-9, 2026, for the first legs and April 16, 2026, for the second legs. Specifically, the soccer betting odds matchups are Braga vs Real Betis, Freiburg vs Celta, Porto vs Nottingham Forest, and Bologna vs Aston Villa.
The winners of Braga/Real Betis vs Freiburg/Celta and Porto/Nottingham Forest vs Bologna/Aston Villa will meet in the semifinals on 30 April and 7 May 2026. And then the final is scheduled for 20 May 2026 in Istanbul.
For the offshore betting quarterfinals, Aston Villa looks like the strongest outright favorite among the four ties. Multiple previews give them the edge over Bologna over two legs. Also, Braga has a slight home-based advantage against Real Betis in the first leg, but Betis are often treated as the more dangerous overall side if you’re judging pure squad quality.
2026 Europa League Quarterfinals Schedule
Europa League quarterfinals dates and matchups are set. In turn, the field features a mix of established European giants and surging English sides, such as Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.
2026 UEFA Europa League Quarterfinals Schedule
First legs
- April 8, 2026: Braga vs Real Betis
- April 9, 2026: Bologna vs Aston Villa
- April 9, 2026: Porto vs Nottingham Forest
- April 9, 2026: Freiburg vs Celta Vigo
Second legs
- April 16, 2026: Real Betis vs Braga
- April 16, 2026: Aston Villa vs Bologna
- April 16, 2026: Nottingham Forest vs Porto
- April 16, 2026: Celta Vigo vs Freiburg
Top Favorites to Win the Championship
- Aston Villa — Strong Europa League odds favorites at around +160. Unai Emery’s experience in the competition (multiple wins with Sevilla and Villarreal) makes them a top contender.
- FC Porto — +400. Consistent performers in European competitions.
- Real Betis — +500. Solid recent form in the league phase.
Quarterfinal Fixtures & Betting Odds (1X2 for First Leg)
Wednesday, April 8 Braga vs Real Betis (first leg)
- Braga win: +145
- Draw: +240
- Betis win: +180
Thursday, April 9 SC Freiburg vs Celta Vigo (first leg)
- Freiburg win: +125
- Draw: +240
- Celta Vigo win: +210
FC Porto vs Nottingham Forest (first leg)
- Porto win: +110
- Draw: +240
- Nottingham Forest win: +250
Bologna vs Aston Villa (first leg)
- Bologna win: +200
- Draw: +240
- Aston Villa win: +200
Europa League Quarterfinals 2026 Match Previews
Wednesday, April 8
Match 1 Preview
- S.C. Braga vs. Real Betis Time: 12:45 PM ET
- Venue: Braga Municipal Stadium
- The quarterfinal round opens early in Portugal with a clash between two of the most technically gifted sides remaining in the competition.
Thursday, April 9
Match 2 Preview
- Bologna vs. Aston Villa Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Venue: Renato Dall’Ara Stadium
- In what many consider the glamour tie of the round, tournament favorites Aston Villa travel to Italy to face Vincenzo Italiano’s high-pressing Bologna.
- Villa arrives as the most complete team remaining, anchored by a defense that has conceded just 0.6 goals per match in Europe this season.
Match 3 Preview
- FC Porto vs. Nottingham Forest Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Venue: Estádio do Dragão
- FC Porto hosts Nottingham Forest, looking to reverse a historically poor record against English opposition in the knockout stages.
- Porto has been nearly perfect at home in this year’s Europa League
- But they face a Forest side that already defeated them 2–0 during the league phase back in October.
Match 4 Preview
- SC Freiburg vs. RC Celta de Vigo Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Venue: Europa-Park-Stadion
- This matchup ensures that one of the tournament’s biggest surprise packages will reach the semifinals.