European knockout football returns this Thursday with the second legs of the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League play-offs. The first legs on 19 February delivered drama, shock results, and a few ties that are already leaning heavily in one direction.

Now the equation is simple: 90 minutes to define the season.

For punters building a bet365 slip this week, second legs are all about game state. Who must chase? Who can sit? Who benefits from the clock ticking louder with every clearance?

If you want broader tournament context, you can also check out our earlier Europa League Playoff Round Preview and our latest Champions League knockout stage analysis right here on BonusReferrerCode.com.

Below is a full match-by-match breakdown with first-leg scores, key scorers, best-bet recaps, and a call on who progresses.

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UEFA Europa League – Second Legs

Nottingham Forest vs Fenerbahçe (Agg: Forest 3-0)

First leg: Fenerbahçe 0-3 Nottingham Forest
Scorers: Murillo, Igor Jesus, Morgan Gibbs-White

Forest delivered one of the standout away performances of the round. Three goals in Istanbul, a clean sheet, and a tie that now belongs firmly to the Premier League side.

Fenerbahçe must attack from the first whistle, but that urgency could hand Forest counter-attacking opportunities. With no away goals rule, it’s purely about aggregate, and Forest hold a commanding cushion.

Best bet recap (first leg): Backing Fenerbahçe to edge it would have lost.
Second-leg best bet: Forest double chance or Forest to qualify.
Who progresses: Nottingham Forest.

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Genk vs Dinamo Zagreb (Agg: Genk 3-1)

First leg: Dinamo Zagreb 1-3 Genk
Scorers: Heynen, El Ouahdi (2) | Beljo

Genk were clinical away from home, taking control of the tie with a ruthless display. Dinamo now need at least two goals and defensive perfection.

Expect Genk to manage tempo and limit chaos.

Best bet recap: Genk +0.5 or draw landed comfortably.
Second-leg best bet: Genk to qualify or Genk draw no bet.
Who progresses: Genk.

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Celta Vigo vs PAOK (Agg: Celta 2-1)

First leg: PAOK 1-2 Celta
Scorers: Aspas, Swedberg | Jeremejeff

Celta’s away win gives them the edge, but PAOK’s late goal keeps this alive. One early strike in Spain flips everything.

Celta, however, should control possession and rhythm.

Best bet recap: Under 3.0 goals (push/land depending on market).
Second-leg best bet: Celta draw no bet.
Who progresses: Celta Vigo.

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Bologna vs Brann (Agg: Bologna 1-0)

First leg: Brann 0-1 Bologna
Scorer: Santiago Castro

Bologna executed the ideal away performance and now bring the tie home. Brann must chase, which suits the Italian side’s structure.

Best bet recap: Bologna double chance & under 3.5 landed.
Second-leg best bet: Bologna to qualify.
Who progresses: Bologna.

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Stuttgart vs Celtic (Agg: Stuttgart 4-1)

First leg: Celtic 1-4 Stuttgart
Scorers: Nygren | El Khannouss (2), Leweling, Tiago Tomás

Stuttgart’s three-goal cushion means Celtic require something extraordinary. The German side can manage this intelligently.

Best bet recap: BTTS/draw angle would have lost.
Second-leg best bet: Stuttgart to qualify.
Who progresses: Stuttgart.

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Crvena Zvezda vs Lille (Agg: Zvezda 1-0)

First leg: Lille 0-1 Crvena Zvezda
Scorer: Uchenna

Red Star flipped expectations with a disciplined away win. Lille must now show composure in Belgrade, never an easy task.

Best bet recap: Lille to win lost.
Second-leg best bet: Lille draw no bet or Under 2.5 goals.
Who progresses: Lean Lille to edge it, but finely balanced.

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Viktoria Plzeň vs Panathinaikos (Agg: 2-2)

First leg: Panathinaikos 2-2 Plzeň
Scorers: Tetteh (2) | Višinský, Ladra

Four goals in Athens suggest this tie remains open. Plzeň now host the decider with momentum slightly on their side.

Best bet recap: Under 2.5 lost.
Second-leg best bet: Both teams to score.
Who progresses: Viktoria Plzeň.

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Ferencváros vs Ludogorets (Agg: Ludogorets 2-1)

First leg: Ludogorets 2-1 Ferencváros
Scorers: Duah, Son | Yusuf

Ferencváros trail by one but now return home. This feels like one of the more volatile second legs.

Best bet recap: Draw angle lost.
Second-leg best bet: Ferencváros draw no bet.
Who progresses: Ferencváros (narrowly).

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UEFA Conference League – Second Legs

If you’re also exploring broader European markets, see our latest Conference League betting guide and Premier League content for cross-competition angles.

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AZ Alkmaar vs Noah (Agg: Noah 1-0)

First leg: Noah 1-0 AZ
Scorer: Hambardzumyan

Noah produced one of the surprises of the round. Now AZ must turn dominance into goals at home.

Best bet recap: AZ win lost in first leg.
Second-leg best bet: AZ to win (match) or over 1.5 AZ goals.
Who progresses: AZ Alkmaar.

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Crystal Palace vs Zrinjski (Agg: 1-1)

First leg: Zrinjski 1-1 Crystal Palace
Scorers: Abramović | Ismaïla Sarr

Palace bring the tie home level and should feel confident, but Zrinjski showed resilience.

Best bet recap: Palace DNB landed.
Second-leg best bet: Crystal Palace to qualify.
Who progresses: Crystal Palace.

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Lech Poznań vs KuPS Kuopio (Agg: Lech 2-0)

First leg: KuPS 0-2 Lech
Scorers: Kozubal, Ismaheel

Lech did the hard work away. With a two-goal lead, this is about professionalism.

Best bet recap: Lech double chance landed.
Second-leg best bet: Lech to qualify.
Who progresses: Lech Poznań.

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Lausanne-Sport vs Sigma Olomouc (Agg: 1-1)

First leg: Sigma 1-1 Lausanne
Scorers: Šturm | Butler-Oyedeji

Level tie, second leg in Switzerland. Lausanne now have the home stage.

Best bet recap: Sigma win lost.
Second-leg best bet: Lausanne draw no bet.
Who progresses: Lausanne-Sport.

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Celje vs Drita (Agg: Celje 3-2)

First leg: Drita 2-3 Celje
Key moment: Late added-time winner for Celje

Goals flowed in leg one. Celje now defend a one-goal advantage at home.

Best bet recap: Under/draw lost.
Second-leg best bet: Celje to qualify.
Who progresses: Celje.

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Fiorentina vs Jagiellonia (Agg: Fiorentina 3-0)

First leg: Jagiellonia 0-3 Fiorentina
Scorers: Ranieri, Mandragora, Piccoli

Fiorentina are in full control. Rotation is possible without jeopardising qualification.

Best bet recap: Fiorentina win landed.
Second-leg best bet: Fiorentina to qualify.
Who progresses: Fiorentina.

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Samsunspor vs Shkëndija (Agg: Samsunspor 1-0)

First leg: Shkëndija 0-1 Samsunspor
Scorer: Mouandilmadji

Samsunspor bring a slender lead home. Expect caution first, control second.

Best bet recap: Samsunspor DNB landed.
Second-leg best bet: Samsunspor to qualify.
Who progresses: Samsunspor.

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Rijeka vs Omonoia (Agg: Rijeka 1-0)

First leg: Omonoia 0-1 Rijeka
Scorer: Adu-Adjei

Rijeka’s late winner gives them the edge. Omonoia must open up away from home.

Best bet recap: Draw angle lost.
Second-leg best bet: Rijeka to qualify or under 2.5 goals.
Who progresses: Rijeka.

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Final Word: How to Approach Second Legs

Second legs are rarely about flair. They are about leverage.

• Big aggregate leads = qualification markets over match markets.
• One-goal margins = draw no bet angles.
• Level ties = both teams to score often attractive.

For more European betting insight, explore our in-depth football previews and tactical breakdowns across BonusReferrerCode.com.

Thursday night will trim the field to the final 16. Some ties feel decided. Others feel like a coin spinning in slow motion.

By 10pm, it stops spinning.