Europa League - Matchday 4: Underdogs Meet Determined Favorites - Who Will Rise In Europe?
by Thobelani Moyo | by Cydias Aujard
FC Midtjylland vs. Celtic
FC Midtjylland have been one of the best-performing teams in the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League (league phase). In fact, they are the table-toppers and are one of three teams in the competition that have maintained a 100% record.
The Wolves' last match in this competition was against the struggling Maccabi Tel Aviv. A brace from Franculino Dju and Philip Billing's effort was enough to guide the team to a comfortable 3-0 away victory.
Celtic have yet to get anything going in the group as they find themselves outside the top eight after three games. With four points to their name, they sit in 21st place in the league phase standings.
Despite the challenge that awaits them on matchday four, the Hoops will be confident about snatching three points against the fairytale contenders of the competition. Under the guidance of interim head coach Martin O'Neill, they've returned to their former glory.
The 73-year-old has guided the team to victories over Falkirk (4-0) and, most recently, Rangers FC in the Scottish League Cup semi-final. That's the kind of momentum they hope to build on.
Sturm Graz vs. Nottingham Forest
Sturm Graz's performance in the UEFA Europa League (league phase) has been less than satisfactory. The Swiss outfit has recorded two defeats in their last three games. Currently positioned in 27th place in the league phase standings, they are three places behind the knockout phase playoffs.
Last time out, Die Schwoazn dropped three points in a 2-1 away defeat against Celtic FC. That result marked their fifth defeat in the last six UEL games. Check out our Sturm Graz vs Nottingham Forest prediction to see if they will be able to turn things around this time.
Sean Dyche, who succeeds Ange Postecoglou, has had a mixed start to his spell at City Ground. He has guided Nottingham Forest to just one win in his last three games in charge. That solitary victory came against FC Porto in the UEL, marking their first win in the competition.
The two games that followed were against Bournemouth and Manchester United in the Premier League. They lost 2-0 on the road and drew 2-2 at home, respectively.
The Tricky Trees are hoping that those results won't spoil their plans of making it two wins on the bounce in the UEL.
Aston Villa vs. Maccabi Tel-Aviv
Besides their 2-0 away defeat to Liverpool in Saturday's Premier League clash, Aston Villa comes into this match in a more positive frame of mind.
That has to do with the fact that their chances of getting back to winning ways and snatching three points in this match are high. The Villans are up against Maccabi Tel-Aviv on matchday four of the UEFA Europa League (league phase). Honestly speaking, it has not been a great display from the Israeli team so far.
As seen in our Aston Villa vs Maccabi Tel-Aviv prediction, this is also another opportunity for Unai Emery's charges to put behind their disappointing 2-1 away defeat against Go Ahead Eagles last time out.
A giant in Israeli football, Maccabi Tel-Aviv have failed to assert themselves as a dominant force in Europe. They have underperformed in this competition and have yet to secure a win after three games (D1, L2). This sees them in the bottom five of the league phase standings.
Rangers vs. Roma
When discussing teams that underperformed in the 2025-26 Europa League (league phase), Rangers, the 2022 finalists, effortlessly take the cup. It has been a shambolic display as they head into this clash, anchored at the bottom of the table with no points to their name.
The Gers are one of three sides that have lost their opening three games in this competition. Their recent defeat came at the hands of Brann SK, losing 3-0 on the road in Danny Rohl's first game in charge as head coach. That also marked their sixth consecutive European defeat, including qualifying matches.
Roma, on the other hand, began their UEL campaign with a 2-1 away win against OGC Nice. Since that result, things have gone awry for them, suffering two consecutive defeats against Lille and Viktoria Plzeň. Just like in our Rangers vs Roma prediction, we wonder if they are able to end this two-game skid.
I Giallorossi have not crossed paths with Rangers in a European competition before, but this is not the first time they have met Scottish opposition. You will have to go back to 1984 for such a meeting when they triumphed over Dundee United 3-2 on aggregate in the European Cup.
