UEFA Europa League • 17 September 2026
Europa League Football Intelligence Score Rankings
All nine Thursday league-phase fixtures ranked from highest to lowest using a provisional Football Intelligence Score (FIS). The model blends recent competitive form, opponent-strength context, home/away situation, tactical matchup, squad availability and evidence consistency. Scores express analytical confidence in the match read — not certainty of a result.
Research refreshed on the morning of 17 September 2026. Team news can change before kick-off.
Ranked Football Intelligence Table
| Rank | Match | FIS | Situational read |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Levski Sofia vs Salzburg | 86/100 | Salzburg form edge; Levski home resistance |
| 2 | Juventus vs NEC Nijmegen | 84/100 | Large quality/context edge, tempered by Juventus form |
| 3 | Lillestrøm vs Torreense | 82/100 | Lillestrøm momentum and home setting |
| 4 | Beşiktaş vs Marseille | 80/100 | Contrasting form strongly favours hosts situationally |
| 5 | Celtic vs Ferencváros | 77/100 | Home factor versus excellent Ferencváros momentum |
| 6 | Viktoria Plzeň vs Union SG | 76/100 | Union arrive hotter; Plzeň retain meaningful home threat |
| 7 | OFI Crete vs Hoffenheim | 74/100 | OFI defensive form meets volatile Hoffenheim |
| 8 | Crystal Palace vs Lech Poznań | 72/100 | Palace quality/home edge reduced by attacking absences |
| 9 | Real Sociedad vs Bournemouth | 68/100 | Two inconsistent profiles create the least-clear read |
1. Levski Sofia vs Salzburg — FIS 86/100
Salzburg enter with an excellent recent sequence: wins over St. Pölten, Rapid Wien, Austria Wien and Mjällby before a draw at Ried. Levski have useful domestic wins but also a 4–2 home defeat to CSKA Sofia. Salzburg’s attacking rhythm and stronger recent scoring profile create the clearest situational edge of the slate, though the Sofia venue prevents this becoming a maximum-confidence assessment.
2. Juventus vs NEC Nijmegen — FIS 84/100
NEC arrive after losses to Cambuur, Feyenoord and twice to Bodø/Glimt in their recent sequence. Juventus have also shown vulnerability, most recently losing 3–2 at Sassuolo after a 1–1 draw with Milan. The score is driven by the home setting, squad-level advantage and NEC’s repeated defensive problems, with Juventus’ current instability the main confidence brake.
3. Lillestrøm vs Torreense — FIS 82/100
Lillestrøm have won four of their last five listed matches, including victories over Vålerenga and Brann, while Torreense’s recent five contain one win, three draws and a defeat. The Norwegian side’s home environment and stronger winning momentum make this a favourable situational profile. Lillestrøm do, however, carry several reported injuries.
4. Beşiktaş vs Marseille — FIS 80/100
Beşiktaş come in after three straight wins, including a 2–1 victory away to Fenerbahçe, whereas Marseille’s listed run contains four defeats in five. The Istanbul setting amplifies that form contrast. Marseille still possess enough individual quality to punish mistakes, and reported absences on both sides add uncertainty.
5. Celtic vs Ferencváros — FIS 77/100
Celtic had won four consecutive domestic matches before a 3–0 defeat to Rangers. Ferencváros arrive unbeaten across the five listed games, including a 5–0 aggregate Europa League playoff win over Trabzonspor. Celtic Park is a meaningful counterweight, making this a compelling strength-versus-momentum matchup.
6. Viktoria Plzeň vs Union SG — FIS 76/100
Union SG’s current run is outstanding: four consecutive wins with 14 goals scored and only two conceded across those four listed matches. Plzeň have been much less consistent domestically but demonstrated their European home ceiling by overturning a 3–0 first-leg loss to Red Star with a 5–1 home win.
7. OFI Crete vs Hoffenheim — FIS 74/100
OFI’s recent defensive sequence is striking, with clean sheets against Olympiacos, Nestos Chrisoupolis, Kifisia and PAOK in the listed run. Hoffenheim’s recent matches have been much more volatile, including 3–2 defeats to Dortmund and Köln but also wins over Stuttgart and Erzgebirge Aue.
8. Crystal Palace vs Lech Poznań — FIS 72/100
Palace have the home and league-strength advantages, but their recent results are uneven and their attacking resources are reportedly reduced by injuries to Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaïla Sarr, with Eddie Nketiah also listed as a doubt in pre-match reporting. Lech have won three of their last five listed matches.
9. Real Sociedad vs Bournemouth — FIS 68/100
Sociedad’s recent five contain two wins, a draw and two heavy defeats; Bournemouth’s contain one win, three draws and a narrow loss at Manchester City. Bournemouth have been difficult to separate from opponents, while Sociedad’s home advantage is offset by inconsistency. The competing evidence produces the day’s lowest FIS.
Methodology & Responsible Use
The Football Intelligence Score is a PremierBettingTips model-based analytical rating. For this report it weights recent competitive form, opponent/context quality, venue, tactical matchup, squad availability and the consistency of the available evidence. It is provisional and should be refreshed when confirmed line-ups become available.
Football is inherently uncertain. This analysis is informational and does not guarantee outcomes or profit. Gamble responsibly and only with money you can afford to lose.