Europa League Tonight: Salzburg vs Milan, Celta vs Juventus & Best Bets

Europa League night is here. Eighteen league-phase games are played on Thursday 15 October, in two waves: nine kick off at 18:45 CEST and nine at 21:00 CEST. After the first round, Juventus, Crystal Palace, Sparta Prague, Besiktas, Union Saint-Gilloise and Ferencvaros all sit on three points, so matchday two is where the early contenders start to separate.

Below are our picks for the biggest games, plus the value bets we like across the card.

Salzburg are a hard place to go. Their young side presses high from the first minute and the stadium in Wals-Siezenheim is loud. Milan have more quality on the ball, but they have often been loose at the back in Europe.

Prediction: Milan are the favourites at around 2.05, Salzburg around 3.40 and the draw around 3.60. We like both teams to score (about 1.65). Salzburg nearly always score at home, and Milan's attack should find gaps when Salzburg push forward.

Crystal Palace won on matchday one and travel to Groupama Stadium with confidence. Lyon are favourites at home, but Palace are built for counter-attacks, which suits away nights in Europe.

Prediction: Lyon to win or draw (double chance, about 1.30) is the safe pick. For more value, take over 2.5 goals at around 1.85.

Juventus are the strongest team in this competition on paper. Celta play open, attacking football at Balaídos, so this should be lively. Juventus will be careful away from home and may play for a narrow win.

Prediction: Juventus to win at around 2.10. A Juventus win and under 3.5 goals pays roughly 3.00 and fits how they usually play in Europe.

Two big clubs with famous European nights behind them. Benfica are much stronger at the Estádio da Luz, and Celtic have struggled away to Portuguese sides in recent seasons.

Prediction: Benfica to win at around 1.70. Benfica's top scorer to score at any time is a good second bet.

Marseille vs Olympiacos (21:00): the Vélodrome atmosphere should help Marseille, so take Marseille to win at around 1.80. Lech Poznan vs Bayer Leverkusen (18:45): Leverkusen should win, but Poznan at home can score, so both teams to score looks good. Bournemouth vs Sturm Graz (21:00): Bournemouth's Premier League pace should be too much for the Austrian side.

Odds on this page are indicative estimates from Betlads, not live bookmaker prices. Always check the latest price with your bookmaker and bet responsibly. 18+ only.