The UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 (knockout round of 16) is the first true knockout stage after the league phase and play-offs, featuring 16 teams in two-legged ties. The draw occurred on February 27, 2026, in Nyon, Switzerland, pairing the top 8 seeded teams from the league phase (who host the second legs) against the 8 unseeded winners from the knockout play-offs (who host the first legs). This creates a fixed bracket leading to the quarter-finals (April 9/16, 2026), semi-finals (April 30/May 7), and final (May 20, 2026, at Besiktas Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey).
2025-26 Round of 16 (knockout round of 16) is the first true knockout stage after the league phase and play-offs, featuring 16 teams in two-legged ties. The draw occurred on February 27, 2026, in Nyon, Switzerland, pairing the top 8 seeded teams from the league phase (who host the second legs) against the 8 unseeded winners from the knockout play-offs (who host the first legs). This creates a fixed bracket leading to the quarter-finals (April 9-16, 2026), semi-finals (April 30-May 7), and final (May 20, 2026, at Besiktas Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey).
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UEFA EL Round of 16 First Leg Schedule and Odds at Bookmaker
All Times Eastern - All Games Televised on Paramount+
Stuttgart vs. Porto
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026
Kick-off Time: 1:45 PM
Venue: MHP Arena, Stuttgart, Germany
Odds: Stuttgart +110, Draw +240, Porto +230. Over 2.5 Goals -128, Under 2.5 Goals +104
Stuttgart qualified for the Europa League knockout stage after a solid league-phase campaign.
FC Porto finished higher in the Europa League group stage.
Panathinaikos vs Real Betis
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026
Kick-off Time: 1:45 PM
Venue: Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium, Athens, Greece
Odds: Panathinaikos +270, Draw +220, Betis +110. Over 2.5 Goals+134, Under 2.5 Goals -162
Panathinaikos advanced dramatically through the knockout play-off round with a penalty shootout win over Viktoria Plzen.
Real Betis earned its spot via a strong league-phase performance.
Bologna vs. Roma
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026
Kick-off Time: 1:45 PM
Venue: Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna, Italy
Odds: Bologna +195, Draw +200, Roma +150. Over 2.5 Goals +142, Under 2.5 Goals -174
Bologna finished lower in the Europa League phase (around 10th) but advanced through the knockout play-off round with a solid 2-0 aggregate win over Brann.
Roma secured a seeded spot by finishing in the top eight of the league phase (e.g., 8th with good results).
Lille vs. Aston Villa
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026
Kick-off Time: 1:45 PM
Venue: Decathlon Arena - Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille, France
Odds: Lille +180, Draw +230, Aston Villa +145. Over 2.5 Goals -114, Under 2.5 Goals -108
Lille (LOSC Lille) advanced through the knockout play-off round with a comeback victory against Crvena Zvezda, winning 2-1 on aggregate.
Aston Villa earned a seeded spot by finishing high in the league phase (2nd overall, with a strong record and a positive goal difference of +14).
Ferencvaros vs. Braga
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026
Kick-off Time: 4:00 PM
Venue: Groupama Arena, Budapest, Hungary
Odds: Ferencvaros +210, Draw +230, Braga +130. Over 2.5 Goals +106, Under 2.5 Goals -130
Ferencvaros advanced through the Europa League knockout play-off round (e.g., solid results including a 2-0 win over Ludogorets in the playoffs).
Braga earned a seeded spot via a strong league-phase campaign.
Genk vs. Freiburg
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026
Kick-off Time: 4:00 PM
Venue: Cegeka Arena, Genk, Belgium
Odds: Genk +160, Draw +240, Freiberg +165. Over 2.5 Goals -118, Under 2.5 Goals -102
Genk advanced via the knockout play-off round e.g., dramatic wins including a 3-3 aggregate vs Dinamo Zagreb.
Freiburg earned a seeded direct spot in the round of 16 via a top-tier league-phase contender and has European experience.
Celta de Vigo vs. Olympique Lyonnais
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026
Kick-off Time: 4:00 PM
Venue: Estadio Abanca Balaídos (Balaídos), Vigo, Spain
Odds: Celta Vigo +105, Draw +240, Lyon +240. Over 2.5 Goals -112, Under 2.5 Goals -108
Celta de Vigo advanced through the knockout play-off round with a strong performance.
Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon) was among the top teams in the league phase.
Nottingham Forest vs. Midtjylland
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026
Kick-off Time: 4:00 PM
Venue: The City Ground, Nottingham, England
Odds: Nottingham Forest -210, Draw +340, Midtjylland +500. Over 2.5 Goals -136, Under 2.5 Goals +112
Nottingham Forest advanced via the knockout play-off round with a 4-2 aggregate win over Fenerbahçe.
Midtjylland earned a seeded direct spot by finishing high in the league phase.
UEFA Europa League Round of 16 First LegBest Bets
Main Pick: Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Real Betis
Over/Under Pick: Celta de Vigo/Lyon Over the Total
Player Prop Pick: Samu Omorodion Anytime Goal and Golden Boot
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