Thursday’s 9/1 Europa League Bet Builder – Paddy Power News

Our tipster is backing a goal-filled return for the Europa League on Thursday!

Thursday night sees the return of the Europa League at the start of 2026. With just two matchdays left in the league phase, there’s plenty to play for in the race to seal a knockout stage spot next month.

Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest head off to Sporting Braga looking to boost their chances and Rangers host Ludogorets Razgrad.

Ahead of Thursday nights action, Paddy Power News football tipster Feargal Brennan has four value picks adding up to a belting Bet Builder.

8pm: Roma v Stuttgart
Both teams to score: Yes

8pm: Rangers v Ludogorets
Rangers to win

8pm: Braga v Nottingham Forest
Both teams to score: Yes
Igor Jesus to score

A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 9/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

Roma v Stuttgart

WHEN: Thursday 22nd of January, 20:00
WHERE: Stadio Olmpico, Rome.
TV: TNT Sports 3

Both teams to score: Yes

We kick off the 8pm Thursday games in Rome as Stuttgart land at the Stadio Olimpico. Both sides are on 12 points from six games played with the visitors narrowly ahead in the rankings based on a goal difference of +7 compared to +5.

Roma have been in mixed form at the start of 2026 with three wins and two losses across the last five in Serie A and the Coppa Italia. They were knocked out of the latter by Torino, so the league and Europe are their sole focuses in 2026.

Both teams to score landed in three of their six Europa League games in the first half of the season as they conceded at home to Lille, Viktoria Plzen and Midtjylland. Stuttgart will fancy their chances of at least scoring in the Italian capital, with only three teams scoring more goals than the Bundesliga outfit, after six Europa League ties played in 2025/26.

Rangers v Ludogorets

WHEN: Thursday 22nd of January, 20:00
WHERE: Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow.
TV: TNT Sports 2

Rangers to win

Rangers have been on an upward curve in recent weeks as Danny Rohl begins to settle into life in Glasgow. They host Ludogorets on the back of six straight wins including a Old Firm victory over Celtic on January 3rd.

That means confidence will be high coming into this game, and the hosts have little to lose, based on their current position in the giant Europa League table.

With just one point gained from six games in the competition, it would take a miracle to reach the knockout playoffs in their final two matches this month. The pressure being off might just play into their hands on Thursday.

They have lost just once at home since Rohl’s October arrival and Ludogorets have won just one of their last five European outings.

Braga v Notts Forest

WHEN: Thursday 22nd of January, 20:00
WHERE: Estadio Municipal de Braga, Braga.
TV: TNT Sports 1

Both teams to score: Yes

And finally to Forest and their trip to Portugal. Dyche had the shorts on for the 0-0 weekend draw with Arsenal and he could be down to speedos if it’s feeling mild in northern Portugal.

Dyche’s first game in charge saw a 2-0 home win over Porto and the former Everton boss is unbeaten in his four European games in charge. That puts Forest in a strong position to reach the knockouts ahead of this game and a home tie with Ferencvaros to wrap up the league phase next week.

Despite only conceding one Europa League goal under Dyche, Forest’s recent domestic form has been very un-Dychey, and that gives Braga hope. Forest have kept just one clean sheet in their last seven, against the Gunners, and Braga have scored in all six of their league phase games.

Igor Jesus to score

Igor Jesus scored a penalty in Dyche’s opening victory over Porto and the Brazilian has since moved onto four goals in the competition.

The main thing to keep an eye on, is if Dyche actually starts him, with just one start in Forest’s last three European games. As Dyche prioritised the Premier League at the end of 2025, Arnaud Kalimuendo led the line in Europe, with two goals scored.

However, he’s since joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan until the end of the season, so Jesus could be drafted in from the off in Portugal. The 24-year-old has shown flashes of promise in his debut campaign at the City Ground with eight goals scored overall.