Europa League Qualifying Odds & Best Bets – Playoff Leg 2

• It’s Leg 2 of the Europa League Playoffs on Thursday, August, 26th featuring Rangers, Celtic and Fenerbahce
• Several ties are delicately poised and some massive clubs could yet drop out before the group stage
• Read below for the latest Europa League odds, betting previews and picks

The Europa League Playoff fixtures are into their second legs this week. For the most part, the first round of matches have left these ties well set up. Big clubs are under pressure. While some lesser-known clubs have an opportunity to make it into the group stage of continental competition.

Scottish giants Rangers and Celtic are looking to extend their European adventures. The fiercely supported Turkish duo of Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are both optimistic of making the group stage, while Slavia Prague and Legia Warsaw go head-to-head following a four-goal thriller in the first leg.

Here are our match previews and three best Europa League picks…

Europa League Playoff Odds – Leg 2

Odds as of Aug 25 at FanDuel

Alashkert vs Rangers Prediction

Having been knocked out of the Champions League by Malmo, Rangers cannot afford another slip up here. Steven Gerrard’s side have seen their unbeaten league run come to an end already this year. Fortunately for Gerrard, they were handed an easier tie with Alashkert and they are well-placed to progress after a 1-0 win in the first leg. Uncertainty surrounds this match, however, as Rangers are in the midst of a coronavirus outbreak.

Rangers have confirmed that they’ve received positive #COVID19 tests. The positive cases are now in self isolation, along with those identified as close contacts.

— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) August 24, 2021

It’s unclear which players have been impacted at this stage, but multiple members of Gerrard’s squad are self-isolating ahead of the matchup with Alashkert. The Scottish champions are also without John Lundstram, who was sent off in the first leg.

There’s not much confidence in the Alashkert camp ahead of this match. They failed to score despite Rangers playing 45 minutes with 10 men in the first leg, and the Armenian club have just one win in their last eight in all competitions. The hosts will be hoping that Rangers struggle in some sweltering conditions on Thursday.

FULL-TIME: Rangers 1-0 Alashkert

Alfredo Morelos with the winner at Ibrox in tonight's @EuropaLeague play-off first-leg. pic.twitter.com/HVfr4SuXLV

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) August 19, 2021

Having failed to score in six of their last eight, it would take a woeful Rangers performance for Alashkert to flip this tie on its head. Rangers to win to nil is our pick.

Pick: Rangers to win to nil (+148)

AZ Alkmaar vs Celtic Prediction

Winning 2-0 in Glasgow in the first leg, Celtic are in a great position to book their place in the Europa League group stage. AZ Alkmaar have had a dreadful start to the season, losing to nil in both of their matches. A two-goal deficit leaves them with a mountain to climb in the second leg against a Celtic side which has been ruthless over their last few matches.

Riding a six-match winning streak in all competitions, Ange Postecoglou’s side have scored 24 goals in that span. While traditionally poor on the road in Europe, they recorded a 4-2 win away to Jablonec in the last round of Europa League qualification.

Celtic 2-0 AZ: who impressed you?#UEL pic.twitter.com/IcjeeMpWmC

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) August 18, 2021

It’s all small samples at this stage of the season, but it’s impossible to ignore such contrasting form. Celtic are flying. An away win is the best bet here given the +195 price.

Pick: Celtic moneyline (+195)

HJK vs Fenerbahce Prediction

Fenerbahce take a 1-0 lead into the second leg of this tie at the wonderfully named Bolt Arena. HJK Helsinki were underdogs from the moment this matchup was confirmed, but they gave themselves a chance with their first leg performance. FanDuel has the Finnish club at +470 to qualify. HJK are looking to make it to the Europa League group stage for the first time since 2014/15.

Our trip is just getting started.
🔜✈️#HJKvFB pic.twitter.com/ei1h31gW3n

— Fenerbahçe English (@Fenerbahce_EN) August 25, 2021

While underdogs at +250 on the moneyline, HJK can take justified confidence into this match. They haven’t lost at Bolt Arena since 2019. It’s four wins and four clean sheets in their last five matches in all competitions.

It took a stunning strike from Muhammed Gumuskaya for Fenerbahce to claim a first leg win. Vitor Pereira’s side might have been disappointed to only get a one-goal advantage, which leaves them vulnerable to an upset as they head to Finland. Wins to nil against Demirspor and Antalyaspor on either side of the first leg show that the Turkish side can be solid, though, and they will need to exhibit that resilience on Thursday.

Given their stellar home record, and the so-so performance from Fenerbahce in the first leg, HJK to avoid defeat looks a decent bet for this one.

Pick: HJK win or draw (-150)