It feels like only yesterday that Tottenham Hotspur beat Manchester United to claim their third UEFA Cup/Europa League title, halting a 17-year drought in all competitions. However, the new 2025-26 Europa League season is on the horizon as Europe’s second-tier competition prepares to crown a new champion
While the 2025-26 Europa League edition may not be as flashy as the previous one, given the shortage of big names, it still promises plenty of drama and a fierce battle for continental glory.
With the field expected to be more even, it’s harder to predict the eventual European champion in September than raking in winnings at GGbet slots or any other online slots provider, but we are pretty confident in our betting predictions below.
Last season, Spurs became the first Premier League side to conquer the Europa League since Chelsea brushed Arsenal aside in another all-English final in 2018-19.
It’s been over half a century since English clubs last went back-to-back in this competition, yet Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest will look to make their mark this season.
Without further ado, let’s break down the 2025-26 Europa League odds and examine the most heavily fancied clubs to lift the trophy this season.
Top Favourites for 2025-26 Europa League
Aston Villa
It’s been a disastrous start to the new Premier League campaign for Villa, whose manager, Unai Emery, praised the team’s performance after a scoreless draw at Everton on Saturday.
Despite going winless in all four league games this season, the Lions enter the 2025-26 Europa League as the most heavily fancied side to claim the prize.
After all, they have the most successful manager in the competition’s history in charge.
Widely considered the Europa League specialist, Unai Emery has racked up four Europa League titles, including an unprecedented three on the trot with Sevilla.
The late arrivals of Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott add flair and creativity to Villa’s frontline, making them a force to be reckoned with while supporting the bookies’ predictions.
At 7.00, Villa are the leading candidates to succeed Tottenham on the throne.
Roma
Lagging slightly behind are Serie A giants Roma, who fell short at the final hurdle in the 2022/23 season at the hands of Sevilla.
New Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini knows in-depth what it takes to clinch the trophy after guiding Atalanta to Europa League glory in 2023/24.
Given 10.00 to hoist the trophy, Roma boast a slight edge over fellow Italian rivals Bologna (11.00), Portuguese powerhouse Porto (11.00) and debutants Forest (11.00).
Nationality
Clubs from England and Spain have reigned supreme, winning 12 of the last 14 titles since the 2011/12 season, with La Liga sides leading the way with seven triumphs.
With that in mind, it’s no surprise that bookmakers still view English and Spanish teams as the safest bets.
However, with Italian, Portuguese and German outfits steadily closing the gap in recent years, the 2025/26 edition could produce a more diverse set of contenders.
League Phase
Making it out of the league phase is the bare minimum Villa fans expect from their side, and the bookies strongly agree, pricing a top-eight finish at just 1.52.
Trailing the Birmingham club are Porto (1.57), Real Betis (1.72), Roma (1.72), Lyon (1.83) and Forest (1.9).
Despite facing slightly longer odds, Bologna (2.00), Celta Vigo (2.25), Stuttgart (2.62) and Lille (2.87) deserve the benefit of the doubt.
Perennial Scottish champions Celtic are low in the pecking order at 3.75 after suffering a shock elimination to Kairat Almaty in the UEFA Champions League play-offs.
Top Goalscorer
Though the Daily Mail slammed Ollie Watkins after his ‘drab’ display against Everton, the English striker will be Villa’s main threat in front of goal. Watkins is perhaps the most probable Golden Boot contender, but he will face stiff competition from Porto starlet Samu Omorodion and in-demand Lyon winger Malick Fofana.
Roma talisman Paulo Dybala is another viable candidate, while Olympiacos’ newcomer, Mehdi Taremi, could make waves with his clinical finishing and experience on the European stage.
Main image credit: IMAGO / Action Plus