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Europa League Predictions - 26 February 2026, Knockout phase play-offs

Simon Lewis

Editor

Last updated: 25 Feb 2026

Simon Lewis 25 Feb 2026

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Stuttgart to take the win over poor-performing Celtic.
Plzen to outplay stuttering Panathinaikos.
Goals to flow between Notts Forest and Fenerbahce.
Celta Vigo to see off the challenge of struggling PAOK.

Expired

PAOK vs Celta Vigo, first leg clash (Getty Images).

Europa League Predictions, Knockout phase play-offs

Europa League Predictions, Knockout phase play-offs
Stuttgart vs Celtic
Plzen vs Panathinaikos
Notts Forest vs Fenerbahce
Celta Vigo vs PAOK

Stuttgart vs Celtic

Celtic look dead and buried, and not just because they come into the tie with a 4-1 aggregate deficit after losing the first leg at home. Their big problem is an injury list that stretches to 11 first squad members. Stuttgart have just one injury, but Chabot will also miss the match through suspension.

Celtic had a 10-match unbeaten streak (including 8 wins) before their first-leg loss to Stuttgart at home, which was followed three days later with another home defeat when Hibernian beat them 2-1. Can’t see Celtic even pulling off a draw against a side with 10 wins and three draws in their last 15 games, including eight matches at home unbeaten. Celtic have scored 14 times in their last seven games, so I’m backing a Stuttgart win with both sides to score.

Plzen vs Panathinaikos

This should be a cracker, and quite possibly could be destined for extra time and possibly even penalties, as they are two well-matched sides. They battled out a 2-2 draw in the first leg played on Panathinaikos’ home turf, taking turns in scoring, so this is a tight one.

Plzen have lost just once in 15 games, winning eight games, while Panathinaikos have six wins in their last 15 games, but have lost four times. Plzen haven’t lost at home in seven outings, but their visitors have tasted defeat three times in their last seven matches, winning just twice but failing to score in four of those losses.

Plzen have also gone goalless four times in their last 13 games, but have netted 22 times, so when you combine their goal-scoring feats in recent times it makes sense to back a low-scoring win for Plzen.

Notts Forest vs Fenerbahce

Forest are one spot and two points off the English Premier League drop zone, and have picked up just two points in their last four League matches. Their form in Europe has been a real bright spot in their season, winning five, drawing one and losing one of their last seven matches on the continent.

Forest’s last two matches have seen them win 4-0 at home against Ferencvaros and 3-0 on the road against Fenerbahce in the first leg of this knockout clash. They also pulled out all the stops against Liverpool in their last match in the League, losing to a heart-breaking goal in the 97th minute.

This is a fighting team that is playing for their life, and while Fenerbahce have a great record in their last 14 matches on the road (10 wins, four draws), I’m backing Forest at home as the momentum is all in their favour. Mind you, seeing as Fenerbahce have scored 32 times in their last 14 matches on the road, this should be a game packed with goals.

Celta Vigo vs PAOK

Celta did well to win 2-1 away to PAOK in their first leg clash after going into the break 2-0 up before PAOK pulled back a goal in the 77th minute, but Celta withheld a late rally to protect a one-goal lead. It was a huge result for the Spanish side, seeing as it was PAOK’s first defeat at home in any competitions this season.

The win ended a five-match winless run for Celta Vigo (3 draws 2 losses), but I’m backing them to carry that momentum into their home leg. PAOK have also been patchy of late, drawing three, losing one and winning just one of their last five games. Celta are strong at home, winning five of their last six games and scoring 16-4 in those home matches while keeping three clean sheets.

PAOK aren’t big scorers on the road, netting 13 in their last nine games, so they are likely to score, but I’m backing a Celta win with home ground advantage.

Verdict

UEFA Europa League

Stuttgart to close out a beleaguered Celtic while Plzen look set to block Panathinaikos’ path to the Round of 16.

Notts Forest and Fenerbahce to entertain with goal aplenty, while Celta to hold fast at home against PAOK

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Simon is a talented sports writer in South Africa with a strong focus on cricket having played first-team level for UCT, including playing at two Universities Weeks.

From a young age Simon was an avid reader of cricket magazines and books, and went on to be Editor of The Googly, CricketScene SA and SA Cricket, in addition to being a Features Writer on SA Sports Illustrated.

He has interviewed most of South Africa's premier cricketers and was the first writer to interview a teenaged Jacques Kallis.

Simon has also written about English and local football, rugby and cricket, in addition to major international tennis and golf stars and competitions.

You can follow more from Simon at Muckrack, X and LinkedIn.