EUROPA LEAGUE THURSDAY: The Ultra previews FENERBAHCE v NOTTINGHAM FOREST and CELTIC v STUTTGART both with recommended BETDAQ bets.
FENERBAHCE V NOTTINGHAM FOREST
5.45pm The Europa League Knockout Playoffs kick off on Thursday night on Betdaq Betting Exchange! It’s been a big week around Europe, and we have two fascinating fixtures from the eight on Thursday night. We start the action with an early kick off in Turkey as Fenerbahce host Nottingham Forest. Forest are in the middle of the most chaotic season in Premier League – they are onto manager number four now, which is quite the feat even by 2026 standards! All the problems stem from finishing seventh last season under Nuno Espirito Santo – their best finish in decades and secured European football for the first time since 1995-96. They massively over-performed though, and that increased expectations of the owner, and this season has been a total disaster. Nuno didn’t last long, neither did Ange Postecoglou and while Sean Dyche started strongly, he didn’t last long either. Vitor Pereira, who previously worked under Marinakis at Olympiacos, is the new man taking charge for his first game here. One would hope he has thick skin for his job! Forest have got dragged back into the relegation battle given the recent wins for West Ham, but their underlying numbers are actually aren’t that bad. They have the ninth best attacking figure in the Premier League with an average xG created of 1.49.
The most ironic thing about that figure is it’s much better than last season at 1.28! They were also in the bottom five on defensive figures last season but got away with that too. They have played much better football this season, but are a club in crisis. This will be a very tough test – Fenerbahce are are unbeaten in the Turkish Super Lig, but that’s not giving them top spot as they are three points behind Galatasaray. The atmosphere in Istanbul will be absolutely electric as you would expect – Fenerbahce come into the game as the favourites at 2.36 with Nottingham Forest 3.35 and the draw is 3.5 at the time of writing. Fenerbahce come into the game in excellent form with three wins, they scored three goals in each game too. Over 2.5 goals is trading 2.04 and that makes some appeal given Forest have played an open game this season and obviously Fenerbahce have been in the goals. This is definitely a game for small stakes with the change in Forest management again though – and they will likely approach the game in a cagey fashion with it being a first leg. On balance, I feel the Fenerbahce win offers more value at 2.36; I’d have them marginally shorter with home advantage.
The Ultra Says:
One point win Fenerbahce to beat Nottingham Forest at 2.36 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/ELFeNo
CELTIC V STUTTGART
8pm We finish Thursday night in Scotland as Celtic host Stuttgart. No doubt the atmosphere in Celtic Park will be immense here, they place will be rocking. Celtic have had an incredibly turbulent season – not quite as many managers as Nottingham Forest but not far off! Martin O’Neill returned for a second time to steady the ship at 73 years of age, what he has done this season is nothing short of remarkable. The man is a Celtic legend – that late goal at the weekend was the type of situation where you can say that was the turning point in a title race. The squad have obviously responded very well to O’Neill – especially when you zoom out on the season – Brendan Rodgers resigned in October after a toxic fallout over summer recruitment and the failure to reach the Champions League after losing a playoff to Kairat Almaty. In came Martin O’Neill as interim manager, and he was absolutely sensational – winning seven of his eight games including all five Scottish Premiership matches. He guided them to the League Cup final and secured a brilliant 3-1 away win at Feyenoord in the Europa League – Celtic’s first away European win in over four years no loss. The board then decided to appoint Wilfried Nancy as the permanent manager in December and that was a disaster. Nancy lost six of his eight games – including a League Cup final defeat to St Mirren and a loss to Rangers in the Old Firm derby. So back came Martin O’Neill in January for a second spell this season!
Celtic are unbeaten domestically under O’Neill’s second stint and have put together a brilliant run of form; this fixture comes at a great time for them I feel. However, as we know the domestic level in Scotland is quite low compared to Europe’s elite leagues so this will be a massive test. It’s no surprise to see Stuttgart as the favourites at 2.22 with Celtic 3.4 and the draw is 3.7 at the time of writing. This is definitely a tie where you feel Celtic have to take a win to Germany to have a chance to progress – they are much stronger in front of their own fans. Stuttgart currently sit fourth in the Bundesliga, right in the mix for Champions League qualification. Their average xG created is 1.76 in the Bundesliga which is the third best attacking figure. They do concede plenty of chances though – their average xG conceded is 1.42 which is high – they are entertaining to watch. Stuttgart have struggled at times away from home this season, on balance the 2.22 looks a little short. I do feel this game screams goals though, especially with how open Stuttgart play and obviously the home fans will push Celtic on to attack. Over 2.5 goals is trading 1.79 and that looks cracking value. I’d expect an entertaining game!
The Ultra Says:
Three points win Over 2.5 goals at 1.79 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/ELCeSt
