UEFA Europa League Group J Betting Preview & Odds
- Roma lead the way with huge UCL experience
- Moenchengladbach return after two seasons out of Europe
- Istanbul Basaksehir and Wolfsberger are outsiders
Roma have been Champions League regulars in recent seasons and that experience will make them hopeful of success as they kick off in the Europa League group stage for the third time.
After finishing sixth in Serie A last season, they missed out on qualification for the UCL for the first time in six years.
But they have been made favorites at -125 to win Group J in Europe’s secondary competition.
Europa League 2019-20 Group J Odds
| Team | Odds to Qualify | Odds to Win |
|---|---|---|
| Roma | -500 | -125 |
| Borussia Moenchengladbach | -225 | +200 |
| Istanbul Besaksehir | +160 | +550 |
| Wolfsberger AC | +325 | +1400 |
*Odds taken at 2019/09/14
Germany’s Borussia Moenchengladbach are correctly priced second favorites at +200.
The relative European newcomers of Istanbul Basaksehir are at +550 while the smaller Austrian outfit Wolfsberger AC are wide outsiders at +1400.
Fifth in Bundesliga
Unlike Roma, Moenchengladbach are returning to European competition after a two-year absence following a fifth-placed finish in the German Bundesliga last Spring.
The Italians have made an average start in Serie A – drawing 3-3 with Genoa and 1-1 with Lazio to sit in 15th place after the opening two fixtures.
Defender Aleksander Kolarov was the leading scorer after those games with two goals.
A legend turns 75! ?
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— Gladbach (@borussia_en) September 14, 2019
The Romans have been particularly strong in the UCL in recent seasons which suggests they will clearly be the most powerful side in this section and are the best bet.
In the previous UCL campaign, they reached the semi-finals where they lost over two crazy legs to Liverpool.
They were second in their UCL qualifying group last season behind Real Madrid. They were then eliminated at the last 16 stage by Porto.
In the previous UCL campaign, they reached the semi-finals where they lost over two crazy legs to Liverpool. The English side won 5-2 at Anfield with Roma winning 4-2 in Italy – just missing out 7-6 on aggregate.
They had progressed by finishing first in a tough group above Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Qarabag.
Twice Top of EL Group
In two previous appearances in the Europa League group stage in 2009-10 and 2016-17, they finished top of their sections.
Most recently, they were knocked out by Lyon in the last 16 round in 2016-17.
They kick off their campaign at home in Rome against Istanbul Basaksehir on Thursday (September 19, Stadio Olimpico, 3pm EST).
How might the defender adapt to life in Paulo Fonseca's system?
#ASRoma
https://t.co/RjY2VP8iIi— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) September 12, 2019
The Germans have a stronger historic pedigree in European competition than Roma after winning the UEFA Cup – fore-runner to the Europa League – in 1974-75 and 1978-79.
Moenchengladbach play host to Wolfsberger on the same evening (September 19, Borussia-Park, 3.00p.m EST).
The Germans have a stronger historic pedigree in European competition than Roma after winning the UEFA Cup – fore-runner to the Europa League – in 1974-75 and 1978-79.
They were in eighth place in Germany after three fixtures – having recorded a draw at home against Schalke 04, a 3-1 win at Mainz and been beaten by the same score at Red Bull Leipzig,
In their most recent European campaign in 2016-17, Moenchengladbach crossed into the Europa League knockout stage from the Champions League. They were eliminated in all-German last 16 tie against Schalke 04.
Exit From Round of 32
They were second in their Europa League group in 2012-13 and were top in 2014-15. Each time, they exited at the last 32 stage.
Oddsmakers price Roma at -500 to qualify first or second. Moenchengladbach are -225 with Istanbul Besaksehir at +160 and Wolfsberger at +325.
Istanbul Basaksehir were formed only in 1990. They reached the Turkish Super League in 2006-07.
This will be Basaksehir’s fifth successive European campaign after first competing in the Europa League in 2014-15.
They were runners-up to champions Galatasaray last season. They were 14th after three fixtures of the new league season following one win and two defeats.
?️?️Welcome Martin Skirtel! ? pic.twitter.com/dBucz2yVeK
— Istanbul Basaksehir English (@ibfk2014En) September 3, 2019
This will be Basaksehir’s fifth successive European campaign after first competing in the Europa League in 2014-15.
They were eliminated from the UCL third qualifying round this season after losing 1-0 at home against Olympiakos and 2-0 away.
They first made the Europa League group stage in 2017-18 after exiting from the UCL qualifying stages. But they failed to progress after finishing third.
In 2018-19, they lost in the Europa League’s third qualifying round against Burnley of the EPL – drawing 0-0 at home and losing 1-0 in England.
Highest Ever Finish
Wolfsberger finished third in the Austrian Bundesliga last season – their highest ever finish.
They are currently known domestically as RZ Pellets WAC for sponsorship reasons.
Fans of @OfficialASRoma, @borussia, @ibfk2014 & @WolfsbergerAC behold the ultimate @EuropaLeague GROUP J preview!
/w expert analysts @Solano_56, @swearimnotpaul, @br1bottaro & @Mar_Schau!
Check out our latest episode on @FootiealaTurca and last week’s GROUP C preview!
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— Kaan Bayazit (@Razzerian) September 9, 2019
This will be only their second European campaign after they were promoted to the top-flight Austrian Bundesliga for the first time in 2011-12.
In their previous campaign in 2015-16, they beat Shakhtyor Soligorsk of Belarus in the second qualifying round of the Europa League, 1-0 away and 2-0 at home.
They were then knocked out by Borussia Dortmund with a 5-0 hammering in Germany following a 1-0 defeat at home.
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
