Europa League 24/25: Favourites, Betting Odds and Predictions
On May 1, the first Europa League semi-final matches will take place. The two Premier League underperformers this season could give fans an English final.
Who Will Reach the Europa League 2024-25 Final?
Athletic are eager to reach the decisive match at their home stadium, and Bodø/Glimt have already silenced many critics by sending Lazio home. What do the bookmakers have in store? Let’s break it all down and suggest the best bets.
Europa League Semi-Final Odds
The younger sibling of the Champions League is far less predictable. Even at the semi-final stage, bookmakers rarely get both finalists right. In 15 years, this has only happened twice. Last year, when Atalanta and Bayer knocked out Liverpool and Roma, bookmakers completely missed their bets. However, one of the matchups does have a clear favorite.
Tottenham Spurs vs Bodø/Glimt
Despite domestic struggles, Spurs remain strong in Europe, with just two losses in 12 matches and an ongoing 19-game unbeaten home streak in European competitions — a record that boosts their confidence ahead of facing Bodø/Glimt. Tottenham’s ambitions are clear — as stated by goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Winning the Europa League is Ange Postecoglou’s last chance to keep his job. It seems fortune is finally starting to favour him — almost the entire squad is back to full fitness. Radu Dragusin, sidelined since February after ACL surgery, is Tottenham’s only absentee.
With a top-five league finish out of reach, Postecoglou is likely to prioritise their European campaign as the path to next season’s Champions League.
Still, don’t expect Spurs to keep a clean sheet at home — both teams have scored in three of their last four Europa League games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a pattern that also extends to their last four home matches in all competitions.
Bodø/Glimt have made history as the first Norwegian team to reach the semi-finals of a senior UEFA men’s club competition. However, Lazio are arguably the only true European heavyweight Bodø/Glimt have beaten. On top of that, their already modest squad has taken a hit ahead of the semi-final, with Patrick Berg, Haakon Evjen, and Andreas Helmersen all suspended.Bodø/Glimt's record against English teams is poor, having lost all three encounters — twice to Arsenal in the 2022/23 Europa League and once to Manchester United this season.
Their main hope lies in Kasper Høgh, who leads the 2025 Europa League goal chart with six goals, four of which came in his last five appearances.
Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao
The Red Devils are the only team still unbeaten in this season’s competition, with seven wins and five draws from 12 matches. However, their upcoming trip to Bilbao stands as their biggest challenge so far. Still, the thrilling nature of their quarter-final victory could serve as the catalyst to propel them to the final and secure a repeat of their 2017 Europa League triumph.
Bruno Fernandes is undoubtedly their key weapon. With five Europa League goals in 2025, he trails only Kasper Høgh (six), and four of Bruno’s goals have come in his last three appearances in the competition.
Of course, playing the second leg at home gives Manchester United a huge advantage — just look at their past comeback against Lyon. However, their squad has taken a serious hit. Lisandro Martínez and Joshua Zirkzee are both out for the rest of the season, while Amad Diallo, aiming to return before the 2024/25 season ends, is expected to miss this match.
From the start of the season, it has seemed as though fate is leading Athletic in this competition. They aim to build on last year’s memorable Copa del Rey victory by claiming a second trophy on home soil, which would ignite even more ecstatic celebrations in the city.
San Mamés has turned into a true fortress for the Basque side in this tournament, boasting a perfect record of six home wins, 14 goals scored, and just two conceded. The composed coach Ernesto Valverde understands just how challenging this task will be.
The last cup encounter between these two sides also favors the Basques. In the 2011/12 Europa League round of 16, Athletic triumphed with a 5-3 aggregate victory on their way to the final.
Europa League Final Odds
When it comes to the nationality of the winner, bookmakers tend to lean towards the English. And, of course, it's not just about the numerical advantage.
However, we are well aware of Tottenham’s psychological struggles in the finals. Additionally, in the 15 years since the Europa League’s inception, Spanish clubs have dominated the tournament, with no more than a one-season gap between victories. The last champions, Atalanta, statistically enhance Athletic Bilbao's chances this time around.
Europa League Champion
Spain
France
Australia
Japan
Indonesia
China
Bahrain
Arabia Saudita
UAE
Uzbekistan
