Eight teams are left in the UEFA Europa League, with seven of them looking to win the trophy for the very first time. Last month’s round of 16 provided the right amount of drama, which included comebacks, penalty shootouts, and unexpected results. Now, eight clubs from four different countries are left in contention.
The Deck previews each of the quarterfinal ties, and predicts which four teams will be left standing by the end of next Thursday.
UEFA Europa League Quarterfinals
Sporting Braga vs Real Betis
We kick off this preview with an all-Iberian clash between Sporting Braga and Real Betis, the first time either side have met in European competition.
For all of Braga’s prominence in the Europa League – they have featured from the group phase 10 times – this is just their fourth quarterfinal appearance in the tournament. Their last one came in 2021/22, when they fell to Rangers 3-2 over two legs. The Portuguese outfit has only gotten past this stage once, in the second-ever edition. That was their best-ever European season, where they reached the final before local rival Porto ended their run. Their 11 wins this campaign, qualifiers included, are the most they have ever had in one term.
Betis is in a continental quarterfinal for the second season in a row, having participated in the UEFA Conference League final last spring. They were ousted by Chelsea in that showpiece, but now they are two rounds away from getting that far once again. During their UECL journey, Los Verdiblancos knocked off Vitória Guimarães in the round of 16. Overall, Betis has a 3-1-2 record against sides from Portugal, their only losses coming against Benfica in the UEFA Cup more than 40 years ago.
Prediction: Real Betis
Freiburg vs Celta Vigo
Among the teams left in the UEL, Freiburg and Celta Vigo are among the fewest Euorpean appearances. Yet, the pair face off with a chance at a rare semifinals showing. Given the impact this could have in the UEFA coefficient ranking, this is our pick for tie of the round.
Playing in their seventh continental campaign – all coming in the UEFA Cup/Europa League – this is Freiburg’s maiden quarterfinal. They are the only one of the eight sides making their debut in this round. They have been dominant at home in the UEL this term, winning all five games. However, their away form is of worry, with only one win in five (1-2-2). Moreover, both of their previous ties against Spanish opposition ended in defeat, with Sevilla beating them home and away in the 2013/14 edition.
Celta is in the quarterfinals for the second consecutive continental showing, though their last appearance came nine years ago. They went one round further before eventual winners Manchester United took them out. Os Celestes also got this far thrice in the UEFA Cup era, but could not go beyond. They met the other German side in this season’s competition on matchday 1, but was defeated 2-1 at Stuttgart. Overall, their record in quarterfinals is 2-2-3, with both victories coming at home.
Prediction: Celta Vigo
Bologna vs Aston Villa
Two teams who have already faced off in the UEL this term, Bologna and Aston Villa, will square off once more. This time, the stakes are much higher.
I Rossoblù have fond memories of participating in the UEFA Cup, the UEL’s predecessor. They made the semifinals in 1998/99 as well as a quarterfinal 18 years prior. Now, they are enjoying their best European run since losing to Marseille in that semi 27 years ago. Their defeat to Villa in September remains their only reverse in the competition, having gone unbeaten in nine since (7-4-0), including five straight away successes. Bologna has never lost a UC/UEL home match across 20 games.
Villa is playing at this stage of a European club competition for the third year running. In 2023/24, they reached the Conference League semis, while they were ousted in the last eight of the Champions League a year ago. Interestingly enough, the two teams who knocked them out went on to become the tournaments’ winners. This is the farthest they have gone in the UEL since 1997/98, when Atlético Madrid progressed at their expense on away goals. Both of their UEFA Cup quarterfinals ended in defeat, to Spanish clubs.
Prediction: Aston Villa
Porto vs Nottingham Forest
Another repeat meeting from the league phase, Porto will be out for revenge as they meet Nottingham Forest.
The only former winner of the UEL, Porto has gotten this far just once between their title triumph and now. That came 12 years ago, where they were knocked out by the side who would go on to lift the trophy, Sevilla. Having finished fifth during the league phase, Dragões took out Stuttgart last month by winning both legs. The matchday 3 defeat in England remains Porto’s only loss in continental play this season, coming out on top in five of seven, including their last three, since.
Forest has reached a European quarterfinal in three of their last four appearances, though the other two in question came in 1983/84 and 1995/96. With this being their fifth time getting this far across the European Cup, UEFA Cup, and Europa League, The Tricky Trees have successfully negotiated this stage in three of the four previous attempts. Their last showing saw them falter against Bayern, losing both legs of a continental tie for just the second time. They did lose their other match against Portuguese opposition during the league phase when Braga beat them on matchday 7.
Prediction: Porto
