Boasting 48 teams in the group stages, the Europa League— formerly known UEFA Cup — offers football bettors a wide range of betting opportunities to enjoy on a Thursday evening. Of course, this vast array of betting options can be overwhelming for first-time punters, so let us run you through the basics to give you a head start on this year’s competition. We’ve even handpicked the top betting sites, featuring a wide array of markets and the best Europa League odds. All you need to do is compare from our list, sign up to your favourite and claim your welcome bonus!
Europa League in a Nutshell
The Europa League is one of Europe’s foremost elite club competitions, with qualifying beginning as early as June for the smallest clubs. The real action, however, begins in September at the start of the group stages as some of the most high-profile clubs in the world enter the fray. From September to December, football bettors can feast on a mammoth amount of pre-match and in-play betting opportunities from the 144 group stage games. The group stage is followed by a winter break, which ends in February. This is when the knockout stages commence, and the run-up to the final begins.
The winners of the Europa League will not only earn a sizable financial reward but also qualification to next season’s UEFA Champions League group stages. As such, there is a lot on the line for up-and-coming players looking to make a name for themselves at the very pinnacle of professional football.
The Europa League brings together the biggest names in European football, from current powerhouses like Chelsea to former heavyweights such as Benfica. But it also gives fast-rising sides like Leicester City and Red Bull Salzburg the chance to shine on the European stage. And with over 200 matches in total across the tournament, there are plenty of opportunities to make the most of the multitude of available markets.
Tournament Format
Teams qualify for the Europa League based on their performance in the previous domestic season. For British sides, whoever finishes fifth in the Premier League will qualify for the group stages alongside the winner of the FA Cup. The winner of the EFL Cup will go through to the second round of qualifying. If the FA Cup or EFL Cup winners also finish in the top five, however, then those Europa League places will go to the next-highest side not to have qualified for a UEFA competition.
The qualification process in Germany, Spain and Italy is similar. The fifth-placed team in La Liga, Bundesliga and Serie A all qualify for the group stages alongside the winners of the domestic trophy. The sixth-placed side will enter the second round of qualifying unless the winners of the domestic trophy finish in the top five.
Sides from less prolific football nations will generally enter the qualifiers at an earlier stage, battling it out against the biggest names to make through to the tournament proper. As such, qualification to the Europa League has the potential to turn the minnows of European football into household names. FC Krasnodar, for example, first qualified for the Europa League in 2014/5 and have featured in the competition every year since.
Teams can also qualify for the Europa League via the Champions League. Sides that finish third in their Champions League groups will also drop into the Europa League Round of 32 draw. This adds an extra dynamic to an already competitive competition. The likes of Roma, Porto and Bayer Leverkusen are all sides who have qualified for the Europa League after finishing third in their Champions League group. As such, the likes of Slavia Prague and Shakhtar Donetsk have an even sterner task of making it to the latter stages of the tournament.
Previous Europa League Winners
The Europa League has been won by a broad variety of teams, with Sevilla boasting the most titles. Many other teams have also won the tournament under its former guise, the UEFA Cup. Here’s a comprehensive list of the most successful teams in the competition.
| Team |
Europa League Titles |
| Sevilla |
Six Titles |
| Inter Milan |
Three Titles |
| Juventus |
Three titles |
| Liverpool |
Three titles |
| Atletico Madrid |
Three titles |
| Tottenham |
Two titles |
| Chelsea |
Two titles |
| Parma |
Two titles |
| Real Madrid |
Two titles |
| Porto |
Two titles |
| Göteborg |
Two titles |
| Feyenoord |
Two titles |
| Borussia Mönchengladbach |
Two titles |
| Manchester United |
One title |
| Zenit St Petersburg |
One title |
| Ajax |
One title |
How to Get Started at a Europa League Betting Site
Signing up to you favourite Europa League bookmaker has never been easier, trying to find that perfect site is a little tricker. Luckily, we’ve laid out some handy steps to help you find and sign up to the best Europa League betting site for you.
Compare bookmakers from our list
Look over our list of top Europa League betting sites, read our detailed reviews of each one and find out what makes each bookmaker stand out. Whether you’re looking for fast withdrawal speeds, your favourite banking method or features like cash out, you’re sure to find the site for you in our reviews.
Sign up
Once you’ve made your choice, the next step is to sign up to your chosen site. In order to do this, you will need to complete Know Your Customer (KYC) check so that you can verify your identity. The KYC check is easy to complete as all you need to do is provide your bookmaker with a copy of your passport and proof of address —such as a recent utility bill— and once approved, your account should be up and running.
Claim your welcome bonues
Once you are verified member of your chosen sportsbook, you can now claim your welcome bonus. These promotions can come in a variety of forms, such as a matched deposit, a free bet or a no deposit bonus. Make sure you’ve read the terms and conditions of the bonus before you claim it, however, so that you understand the wagering requirements attached to it.
Start playing
Now that you’ve claimed your welcome bonus, you should be ready to start playing at one of our top Europa League betting sites. Do your research on the available Europa League markets, check player form and you should be ready to make your first bet.
Europa League Betting Markets
Football is one of the most popular and diverse betting markets available to punters, with bookmakers offering bettors an enormous variety of markets that can be played either pre-match or in-play. Let’s get to grips with some of the key markets available for Europa League bettors.
Match Result
The match result market is the most widely-known betting market available to punters, requiring you to simply pick the winner of a particular match. If your chosen sportsbook supports live betting, then wagering in-play on the match result market can potentially provide a lot of value. The odds on a huge favourite to win the game may not be too attractive pre-match, but can significantly improve should they go behind early on.
Over / Under Goals
If you’re struggling to pick a match-winner but you have a good idea about whether the game will be low or high scoring, then the over/under goals market is a great option. You can bet on the number of goals to be scored by each team as well as the total amount overall. The available options range from over/under 0.5 goals all the way up to 8.5 goals at some sites. The over/under goals market is also good for punters who want to find better value than simply wagering on an overwhelming match favourite. If you think one side is going to thrash the other, then you can bet on them scoring highly as well as betting on the opposition to scarcely trouble the scoresheet.
Half-Time / Full-Time Result
The half-time/full-time result gives you the ability to pick who you think will be the winner at half time and full time. If, for example, you think Arsenal are going to start well against Napoli but forfeit the lead in the second half, then you can place a wager of Arsenal winning the first half and Napoli winning the match. But if you see Napoli putting out a totally dominant display from start to finish, then you can bet on them winning both the first half and the match overall. Alternatively, you can also put the first half and full-time results down as draws.
Both Teams to Score
If you’re struggling to pick a winner from a Europa League match, but you think neither defence will hold strong, then you can bet on both teams to score. On the other hand, if you think the game is going to be a tight, cagey affair, then you can wager on ‘no’ instead.
Goalscorer Market
The goalscorer market allows you to place a bet on whether you think a specific player will score in a particular match. You can also bet on them scoring in either the first half, the second half or at any point throughout the game. The odds of a player scoring in either half will be generally longer than those at any time, so make sure you’ve done some thorough research into their scoring record before you add anything to your betslip. You can even bet on there being no scorer at any point throughout the match.
Once you get into the knock-out stages of the Europa League, games can go into extra-time so make sure that a bet placed on any market takes into account the further 30 minutes of play. If it doesn’t then you will need to place another that includes the extra period.
Tournament Outright
You don’t just have to place bets on specific matches in the UEFA Europa League as you can also bet on the outright winner of the tournament as well as the winners of each group. At sites such as Coral and Ladbrokes, you can even bet on the British team that you think will progress the furthest. Bets made on the outright market are riskier the earlier they are placed, so we would recommend letting the competition play out for a bit so that you can make a more educated decision further down the line.
Europa League Betting Tips
With over 200 Europa League matches to bet on, the task of making the most effective bet can seem daunting. That is why we’ve put together this list of tips you can follow so you can place a considered bet on one of Europe’s premier club competitions.
Check Team Form
Do some research into the form of teams and players before you place a bet. A side like Manchester United may be one of the most high-profile teams in the world, but if they’re on a bad run of form in the Premier League, then they may not be the safest bet. Similarly, if a relatively small side like Royal Antwerp are playing well in Belgium, then chances are they could take that same form into Europe.
Check the Squad Line Up
The Europa League brings together a unique combination of European powerhouses and minnows making their bow on the continental stage. As such, some of the larger sides may choose to field younger and untried players against weaker opposition. So if AC Milan put out a side made up largely of academy players against a team like Maccabi Tel Aviv, then there could be an upset on the cards.
Follow the Managers’ Media Comments
It’s a good idea to follow what the managers’ of Europa League sides are saying in the media. These will give you an indication of whether they prioritise domestic of European competition. A side that is struggling to survive in La Liga may not have that much interest in Europa League success, so keep an eye on what their manager says to the press because a lack of interest in the competition can lead to them fielding a weaker line-up.
Boost Your Bankroll
Betting bonuses can provide bettors with extra funds to add to their bankroll, with both new and existing punters able to claim them. Let’s dive into the best bonuses available to Europa League bettors.
Matched Deposits
By claiming a matched deposit, punters can boost the size of their first deposit anywhere from 50 to 200%, depending on the promotion. A common matched deposit offered by sportsbooks will be something along the lines of ‘100% up to the value of £100’, meaning that you can double the size of your downpayment. Matched deposits will be subject to wagering requirements, however, which stipulate that extra cash must first be deposited before you can claim your winnings. These requirements will be accessible from the terms and conditions of that bonus, and if they are low, then there will be less for you to play through to claim your funds.
Free Bets
Free bets are another incredibly common bonus that new and old customers can get their hands on. These promotions can be tied to other larger bonuses, such as matched deposits, or can be claimed as standalone offers. These bonuses will often come with wagering requirements attached that will need to be satisfied before your winnings can be withdrawn. So make sure that you have read and understood the terms and conditions before you you claim the bonus.
Accumulator Bonuses
Accumulators are an integral part of modern online betting, with millions of bettors increasing the value of their odds on accas with as many as ten selections. Some sportsbooks, such as Bet365, offer customers an accumulator bonus that will pay out a cash bonus if all your selections win. The size of the bonus will depend on the number of selections in your accumulator and bets may only be placed on specific markets. Nonetheless, if your acca comes in, then you will have a handy boost added to your withdrawable amount.
In-Play Markets
The best Europa League betting sites allow you to place bets while games are going on via the live market. This is great for bettors who may have missed their chance to place a bet before kick-off, or if the nailed on favourites go behind and the odds on them winning suddenly improve.
If your chosen betting site supports live streaming, then we would recommend you watch so that you can pick the perfect moment to place your bet on the live market.
New Europa League Betting Sites
It’s not just the established industry names that provide Europa League betting opportunities as lots of newer sportsbooks also provide bettors with the chance to lay wagers on the engrossing European competition. New bookmakers provide punters with lots of incentives to join, including amazing player-friendly bonuses, innovative promotions for existing customers and enthralling site designs to provide the best possible betting experience.
Betting on the Move
Betting from your mobile handset has never been easier, making it all the more convenient for you to wager on the best Europa League action from wherever you are in the world. The best sportsbooks provide punters with a native mobile app that can be downloaded to their iOS or Android handset from either the App Store or Google Play Store. Push notifications can be enabled on native apps that will keep you in the loop about the latest promotions on offer, while players signed up to live streaming betting sites can watch Europa League games from the palm of their hands.
Payment Options
You can make a deposit at your betting site funds using a variety of payment methods, from established debit card providers like Visa to popular e-wallets like Neteller. Let’s have a look at some of the best options available to you.
Debit Cards
Pretty much every Europa League bookmaker accepts debit cards as a valid payment method. Each transaction you make with a debit card is protected by industry-standard data encryption software. What’s more, a dedicated customer support team provided by your bank will be able to resolve any issues you may run into. Deposits made using debit cards are usually instant, while withdrawals are typically processed in two to five working days. Certain bookmakers will provide customers with the Visa Fast Funds service, however, which will allow you to withdraw your cash in as little as four hours. The service, available on sites such as Coral and Ladbrokes, is available to all Visa customers and you will know whether it is available when you navigate to the cashier section of your betting site and see a stopwatch next to your card number.
E-wallets
E-wallets provide European football bettors with a lot of flexibility. Not only are deposits processed instantly using services such as Neteller, Skrill, PayPal and ecoPayz, but in some cases, withdrawals can be processed in as little as 24 hours. If you wish to claim a bonus using an e-wallet, then you should first check the T&Cs of that promotion. Certain sites will not accept e-wallets as a valid deposit method when claiming a welcome bonus, requiring you to instead make your first downpayment using an alternative method.
Prepaid Cards
If you’re looking for a safe and secure way to deposit your betting funds, then a prepaid card such as a Paysafecard is the option for you. Paysafecards can be purchased in any one of the following values: £10, £25, £40, £50, £75 or £100; and a PIN can be ordered online while a physical card bought over the counter at a Paysafecard vendor using cash. As such, no bank account is required for you to purchase a Paysafecard, making it one of the most secure ways to deposit your funds at a Europa League betting site. Unfortunately, however, Paysafecards cannot be used to make withdrawals and you’ll need to find an alternative payment method to get your hands on your cash.
Ready to Bet on the Europa League
The UEFA Europa League pits some of the biggest names in the European game against plucky underdogs looking to cause a huge upset. Where else would you see a mighty Premier League side like Tottenham take on the likes of Molde and Dinamo Zagreb? As such, Europe’s second-most elite club competition is full of fantastic betting opportunities, the only thing left for you to do is pick the right Europa League betting site for you. So simply compare from our list, sign up to your favourite and claim your welcome bonus!
Frequently Asked Questions
You’ll be able to place bets as soon as the games begin, which is why there are so many betting options. However, you should bear in mind that it can be risky to place bets on any later stages of the competition before the knockout phase, when eight new teams join from the Champions League.
Many of the best betting sites will give customers the chance to create their own bets on tournaments. You’ll find the odds for these using the #askaprice feature, which can help you decide if it’s a bet worth placing.
When the tournament is on, bookmakers can provide bettors with some Europa League-specific offers. These promotions will often be in the form of price boosts and free bets on some of the most high-profile games in the competition. Some bookmakers even offer the Europa League Special market where you can bet on which British team you think will progress furthest in the tournament. So whether you think Arsenal have the best chance in the tournament, or if you feel Rangers have the edge, then you can take the safer option in the Europa League Special market.
Live streaming has become an incredibly useful tool for bettors looking to place an informed decision on the live or cashout markets. Not every site offers live streaming to its customers, but those that do will first require you to either have placed a bet in the last 24 hours or at least have a fully funded account. And what’s more, by playing at a site that offers both live streaming and a native mobile app, you can keep up with the best Europa League action from wherever you are in the world.
If your chosen bookmaker provides a native mobile app, then you can place a bet on the Europa League right from the palm of your hand. The best sites will provide you with live betting, cashout options and live streaming too which can also be accessed from your mobile device, adding to the supreme convenience that betting with a native app provides.
