UEFA Europa League Picks and Predictions: UEL Quarterfinals
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Thu Apr 09, 2026, 11:45 am ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
soccer
With the UEFA Champions League behind us until next week, we turn our attention to the Europa League which has three quarterfinal matchups today. Well, at least the first leg in those contests. Yesterday, Braga and Real Betis went head to head in the first UEL Quarterfinal, playing to a 1-1 draw. But today, we have three more matches to break down, so let's get into our favorite UEL Picks for Thursday!
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UEFA Europa League Picks and Predictions – April 9
Keep in mind, we are only in the first leg of a two match contest. Today's match will only go 90 minutes, regardless of the result. However next week, in the second legs, we could see extra time or even penalty kicks to decide who moves on. Let's get into our picks!
Bologna vs. Aston Villa UEFA Europa League Picks
Morgan Rogers has two assists for Aston Villa in 10 UEL matches this year
Best Bet: Aston Villa ML (+106) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
We are simply backing the English Premier League over Serie A in this contest. Give me Aston Villa, on the road, to take down Bologna. They already beat this Italian side once this year in the League Phase portion of the UEL. Back in September, Aston Vila scored in the 13′ minute at home to take down Bologna at Villa Park. Now they go on the road, but with some recent success against this team, I see them handling business.
Last year they battled in the League Phase portion of the Champions League, as Villa won 2-0 at Villa Park as well. Sure, that could mean Bologna has some extra motivation, but it won't be enough to overcome this English side. The visitors are fighting for seeding in the EPL, as they currently sit in fourth place, just one point behind Manchester United for third. They are comfortably in a UCL qualifying position for next season, as they are five points ahead of Liverpool. To me, that means they can give maximum effort in this UEL contest today, trying to move on to the semifinals.
Villa is the better team and should be aggressive as they try to build an aggregate lead on the road, therefore giving them the option to coast next week at home. They have shutout their opponent in three of their last four matches overall, while Bologna has recently struggled at home against top competition. Facing Villa today will be a rude awakening for the Italian hosts, and I see Villa winning in 90 minutes. I also endorse Aston Villa's team total over 1.5 for +123 if that is more your style.
Prediction: Aston Villa Wins 2-0 (+825)
FC Porto vs. Nottingham Forest UEFA Europa League Picks
Morgan Gibbs-White has two goals and three assists in 11 UEL Matches this year for Nottingham Forest
Best Bet: Nottingham Forest +0.25 (-107) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Nottingham Forest already beat FC Porto at home in the League Phase portion of this year's Europa League, but it didn't come easy. The hosts needed not one, but two penalty kicks in order to take down their Portuguese visitors. Now, this EPL side travels to Portugal for the first leg of this UEL Quarterfinal. I will be backing them on the asian handicap line at +0.25 at (-107).
Our one unit is split into two half unit wagers, one on the draw no bet, one on the double chance (or +0.5), both priced at (-107). All we need is for Nottingham Forest to earn a draw in 90 minutes and we will cash both wagers. In theory, you could lay the juice on the double chance at -155, or take the draw no bet at +141, but using the asian handicap gets both of them to playable numbers that should still give us a decent pay out.
Nottingham Forest is safely out of relegation in the EPL, as they sit two points ahead of Tottenham, and three ahead of West Ham United, who are currently in the final relegation spot. Forest can fully focus on trying to progress in the Europa League, perhaps even winning the entire competition to automatically qualify for next year's Champions League, regardless of their position in the EPL. All Forest needs to do is handle business, and I think they are capable of hanging with Porto on the road for 90 minutes before going back home to win this matchup.
The total is incredibly low in this match, letting us know we shouldn't see too many goals, or even chances on net. That makes it much easier on Forest to cover for us.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest Wins 1-0 (+725)
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Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
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