Europa League Quarterfinals 2026: Teams, Dates & Preview

The Europa League quarterfinals are set for April 8-9, 2026, for the first legs and April 16, 2026, for the second legs. The matchups are Braga vs Real Betis, Freiburg vs Celta, Porto vs Nottingham Forest, and Bologna vs Aston Villa.   The winners of Braga/Real Betis vs Freiburg/Celta and Porto/Nottingham Forest vs Bologna/Aston Villa will meet in the semifinals on 30 April and 7 May 2026. The final is scheduled for 20 May 2026 in Istanbul.

For the quarterfinals, Aston Villa looks like the strongest outright favorite in Europa League odds among the four ties, with multiple previews giving them the edge over Bologna over two legs. Braga also has a slight home-based advantage against Real Betis in the first leg, but Betis are often treated as the more dangerous overall side if you’re judging pure squad quality.

2026 Europa League Quarterfinals Schedule

Europa League quarterfinals dates and matchups are set. The first-leg matches are scheduled for April 8 and 9, and the return legs follow on April 16. The field features a mix of established European giants and surging English sides, such as Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.

2026 UEFA Europa League quarterfinals schedule

First legs

• April 8, 2026: Braga vs Real Betis
• April 9, 2026: Bologna vs Aston Villa
• April 9, 2026: Porto vs Nottingham Forest
• April 9, 2026: Freiburg vs Celta Vigo

Second legs

• April 16, 2026: Real Betis vs Braga
• April 16, 2026: Aston Villa vs Bologna
• April 16, 2026: Nottingham Forest vs Porto
• April 16, 2026: Celta Vigo vs Freiburg

Quarterfinal Match Dates and Format

• Each quarterfinal tie is played over two legs, with one home match for each team.

• The team listed first in the tie hosts the first leg, and the higher-seeded team hosts the second leg; if the aggregate score is level, extra time is played, and there is no away-goals rule.

• For this season’s quarterfinal bracket, the matchups are fixed in advance rather than redrawn, so the winners move directly into the semifinal pairings already mapped out.

How Teams Reach the Quarterfinal Stage

2026 UEFA Europa League quarterfinal teams and their paths to the last eight

• Braga progressed through the knockout playoff round and then eliminated West Ham United in the round of 16.

• Real Betis advanced directly to the round of 16 as a group stage winner and defeated AC Milan.

• Bologna came through the knockout playoff round and then defeated Benfica in the round of 16.

• Aston Villa qualified directly for the round of 16 and advanced past Lille.

• Porto progressed via the knockout playoff round and eliminated Atalanta in the round of 16.

• Nottingham Forest advanced directly to the round of 16 and defeated Olympiacos.

• Freiburg came through the knockout playoff round and beat Sporting CP in the round of 16.

• Celta Vigo advanced directly to the round of 16 and defeated Marseille.

Top Contenders Still in the Tournament

Aston Villa

• Entering the quarterfinals as the heavy favorite in Europa League odds, Unai Emery’s side has lived up to its billing as the most complete team in the competition.

FC Porto

• The Portuguese leaders have been the most consistent offensive threat remaining in the field.

Surprise Teams in the Quarterfinals

Bologna FC

• Under the leadership of Vincenzo Italiano, the Italian side has authored the most dramatic chapter of the tournament so far.

• After a steady league phase where they finished 10th, they navigated a professional playoff win against SK Brann before meeting heavyweights AS Roma in the Round of 16.

Nottingham Forest

• Competing in their first major European campaign in decades, Nottingham Forest has specialized in high-wire acts.

• Their journey through the knockout rounds has been a masterclass in survival.

Europa League Draw Quarterfinals Explained

• The Europa League draw quarterfinals was finalized on February 27, 2026.

• The quarterfinal draw has created a fascinating roadmap toward the final in Istanbul, effectively splitting the remaining eight teams into two distinct competitive paths.

• On one side of the bracket, Portuguese side S.C. Braga is set to face Real Betis in a matchup that features some of the most technical playmaking in the tournament.

• The winner of that tie will advance to the semifinals to face either SC Freiburg or RC Celta de Vigo. This particular path ensures that a fresh face will likely grace the final.

• The opposite side of the bracket is widely considered the more difficult route, featuring the tournament's heavy favorites.

• Aston Villa, led by knockout specialist Unai Emery, must first navigate a challenging fixture against an inspired Bologna squad that has already proven its ability to take down giants.

• Should Villa advance, they will face either FC Porto or Nottingham Forest in a semifinal clash.

Europa League Quarterfinals 2026 Odds & Betting Markets

The Europa League quarterfinals odds are set and drawing plenty of traffic.

Top Favorites to Win the Championship

• Aston Villa — Strong favorites at around +160. Unai Emery's experience in the competition (multiple wins with Sevilla and Villarreal) makes them a top contender.

• FC Porto — +400. Consistent performers in European competitions.

• Real Betis — +500. Solid recent form in the league phase.

Quarterfinal Fixtures & Betting Odds (1X2 for First Leg)

Wednesday, April 8 Braga vs Real Betis (first leg)

• Braga win: +145
• Draw: +240
• Real Betis win: +180

Thursday, April 9 SC Freiburg vs Celta Vigo (first leg)

• Freiburg win: +125
• Draw: +240
• Celta Vigo win: +210

FC Porto vs Nottingham Forest (first leg)

• Porto win: +110
• Draw: +240
• Nottingham Forest win: +250

Bologna vs Aston Villa (first leg)

• Bologna win: +200
• Draw: +240
• Aston Villa win: +200

Europa League Quarterfinals 2026 Match Previews

Let’s take a look at the Europa League quarterfinal matchups.

Wednesday, April 8

Match 1 Preview

• S.C. Braga vs. Real Betis Time: 12:45 PM ET

• Venue: Braga Municipal Stadium

• The quarterfinal round opens early in Portugal with a clash between two of the most technically gifted sides remaining in the competition.

Thursday, April 9

Match 2 Preview

• Bologna vs. Aston Villa Time: 3:00 PM ET

• Venue: Renato Dall'Ara Stadium

• In what many consider the glamour tie of the round, tournament favorites Aston Villa travel to Italy to face Vincenzo Italiano’s high-pressing Bologna.

• Villa arrives as the most complete team remaining, anchored by a defense that has conceded just 0.6 goals per match in Europe this season.

Match 3 Preview

• FC Porto vs. Nottingham Forest Time: 3:00 PM ET

• Venue: Estádio do Dragão

• FC Porto hosts Nottingham Forest, looking to reverse a historically poor record against English opposition in the knockout stages.

• Porto has been nearly perfect at home in this year's Europa League

• But they face a Forest side that already defeated them 2–0 during the league phase back in October.

Match 4 Preview

• SC Freiburg vs. RC Celta de Vigo Time: 3:00 PM ET

• Venue: Europa-Park-Stadion

• This matchup ensures that one of the tournament's biggest surprise packages will reach the semifinals.

Europa League Quarterfinals 2026 Predictions

Top Europa League quarterfinals predictions combine price and potential for maximum betting value.

S.C. Braga vs. Real Betis

• Prediction: Braga 1–1 Real Betis: Braga enters this Wednesday opener with significant home strength, having been unbeaten in ten consecutive matches at the "Quarry" prior to a narrow recent loss to league leaders Porto.

Bologna vs. Aston Villa

• Prediction: Bologna 1–2 Aston Villa: Despite playing away in Italy, Aston Villa remains the oddsmakers' favorite with roughly a 50% implied win probability.

SC Freiburg vs. RC Celta de Vigo

• Prediction: SC Freiburg 1–0 RC Celta de Vigo: This is the most evenly matched tie of the round, with Freiburg holding a slight 41% win probability according to market data.

FC Porto vs. Nottingham Forest

• Prediction: FC Porto 2–0 Nottingham Forest: Porto has been clinical at home this season, winning all five of their Europa League matches at the Estádio do Dragão and scoring in the first half of every single one.

Key Factors That Could Decide the Quarterfinals

Home dominance in knockouts

• Braga have been ruthless at the Estádio Municipal de Braga, including a 4-0 second-leg comeback win over Ferencvaros in the round of 16.

• They boast a strong home record in Europe and often score multiple goals there.

Freiburg's fortress and defensive solidity

• Freiburg are on a nine-game winning streak in European home matches and have one of the best defensive records in the league phase (conceding very few goals).

• Their organized 4-2-3-1 setup and crowd at Europa-Park Stadion make them extremely hard to break down.

Porto's intimidating home record at the Dragão

• Porto are formidable at home with an excellent defensive structure and European pedigree.

• They are heavy favorites for the first leg and to advance, especially after strong league-phase performances.

Villa's quality, depth, and Emery's experience

• Aston Villa remain tournament favorites in Europa League odds with Premier League-level attackers (Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey, John McGinn) and Unai Emery's proven Europa League pedigree.

• They kept clean sheets in the round of 16 and have already beaten Bologna once this season.