How to Bet on the Europa League: Winning Tips, Odds, and the Power of Crypto
The UEFA Europa League might not get the same spotlight as the Champions League, but don’t let that fool you — this tournament is packed with unforgettable games, stories, and chances of winning big. So, it’s a pretty smart idea to learn about the Europa League betting if you’re a sports fan or just looking for a good game to wager on.
But remember, betting isn’t about guessing. It’s about understanding teams' performances, looking for the best odds, and building a strategy to maximize your chances. So, let’s learn all these nuances of the Europa League betting.
How does the Europa League work?
The best way to start is to understand the place of the Europa League in European football and the tournament rules.
The UEFA Europa League is a prestigious tournament just below the Champions League. It offers teams a chance to compete on the international stage, and for the winner, it guarantees a spot in the next season's Champions League — a huge incentive along with the prize money and prestige.
The competition begins with a group stage featuring 32 teams. Some of the clubs participating in the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League are Liverpool FC, AS Roma, Bayer Leverkusen, Brighton & Hove Albion, Real Betis, Ajax, and Atalanta.
These teams are divided into eight groups of four, and each team plays six matches (three at home and three away) against their group opponents. Teams earn 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, and none for a loss.
After the group stage, the top two teams from each group advance to the knockout rounds, which follow a two-leg format until the final. Teams play home and away matches in these rounds, with the winner determined by aggregate score. The final is a single match that decides the Europa League champion.
The Europa League champion earns automatic qualification to the next season's Champions League. The other teams can be rewarded or be knocked off the UEFA tournaments:
- The runners-up and semifinalists gain prize money and ranking points, which can improve their future European draws.
- Teams that finish third in their Europa League groups drop into the UEFA Europa Conference League, a lower-tier European competition. They don’t advance but at least have a chance to continue in international play.
- Teams that finish fourth in their Europa League groups stop playing European competition for that season.
So, there's no direct relegation system in the Europa League, but teams can "drop down" from the Champions League or UEFA tournaments.
What does it mean for you? Lots of chances to bet and win. But first, you need to know how the odds work.
Understanding Europa League Odds
When betting on the Europa League, you'll come across three main types of odds: fractional, decimal, and American. Each format presents the same information but in a slightly different way. Here’s a breakdown:
Fractional odds
Fractional odds (like 5/1 or 7/2) show the profit you’ll make relative to your stake. For example, if the odds are 5/1, you’ll win $5 for every $1 you bet, plus your stake back. So, if you bet $10 on a 5/1 bet and win, you’ll get $50 in profit plus your $10, totaling $60.
Decimal odds
Decimal odds (like 3.00) are the easiest to understand. You just need to multiply your bet by the odds. So, a $10 bet multiplied by 3.00 would return $30 (including your stake).
American odds
American odds show how much you’d win on a $100 bet if the odds are positive (like +200), or how much you need to bet to win $100 if the odds are negative (like -250). For instance, if your team is listed at +200, a $100 bet would return $200 in profit. If they are -250, you'd need to bet $250 to win $100 in profit.
It’s not that difficult to understand how odds work, but it might take some time before you’ll learn to calculate them quickly. Until then, you can use an online odds calculator to make your life easier.
Besides odds, you need to learn the types of bets to make an informed decision and win.
Types of bets for the Europa League
Here are some of the most common types of bets you come across when betting on the Europa League.
Match result or first-half result (1X2)
This is the simplest bet, where you predict whether a team will win, lose, or the match will end in a draw. The same goes for a bet on a score in the first half of the game.
Let’s say AS Roma plays against Olympiacos, and Roma is on a win strike. Then, betting on a Roma win (1) could be a safe choice. If you think they’ll cancel each other out, go for a draw (X).
Both teams to score (BTTS)
Here, you bet on whether both teams will score during the match. This is a great bet when two attack-minded teams meet on a field.
For example, when Liverpool plays against Real Betis, both teams are known for their offensive strengths. So, betting on BTTS could be smart since both teams are likely to score.
Correct score
This bet lets you predict a match's exact final score or the game's first half. It’s riskier but can offer a big payout. For instance, if Villarreal plays against a weaker team like AEK Athens and you believe Villarreal will dominate, predicting a 3-1 victory could be a good option for this bet.
Double chance
Double chance covers two outcomes, giving you more flexibility. You can bet on a team to either win or draw, lowering the risk.
Suppose West Ham travels to play Ajax; then, you could bet on "West Ham to win or draw" since away games are always more tiring. If they avoid losing, your bet wins, which is great when the match is tight.
Handicap bet
Here, you bet on a team with a virtual advantage or disadvantage. For example, if Sevilla is given a -1.5 handicap, they need to win by two or more goals for you to win the bet in a match or half-time, depending on your bet.
To qualify
In the knockout stages, this bet focuses on who will advance to the next round, regardless of individual match results. Sevilla is often strong in Europe, so if they’re facing a tough opponent like PSV Eindhoven in the knockout stage, you might bet on Sevilla "to qualify" based on their track record in European tournaments.
On different websites, you might find other types of bets, like prop bets or future bets. They are more difficult to predict, so you might want to stick with simpler and more reliable bets. And while you do this, it’s also wise to follow other tips for successful betting.
The Europa League betting tips
The most crucial tip for any betting is to research and place your bet based on data. If you successfully follow these tips, you can also use the more specific ones to understand how to apply the data you’ve found. Here are some of them.
Go for “draw no bet” with unpredictable teams
When you’ve got two evenly matched teams or a club known for being unpredictable, the “draw no bet” option is smart. It gives you that safety net if things end in a tie. For example, if Villarreal faces Lazio, both teams are strong but inconsistent. So, this type of bet could be a safer way to back them without risking a full loss on a draw.
First-half double chance for strong starters
Sometimes, a team comes out strong but struggles later in the game. For example, teams like Real Betis often start well at home, so betting on them to win or draw by halftime can be a good call when they’re up against a mid-tier opponent.
Handicap betting for heavy favorites
When a top team plays against a weaker opponent, betting on a handicap can boost your odds for backing the favorite. For example, if Liverpool faces a weaker team like Qarabağ, you might take Liverpool with a -1.5 handicap, expecting them to win by at least two goals.
Back the clean sheet for defensively solid teams
If a team has a strong defense and they’re up against a weaker attacking side, betting on them to keep a clean sheet is a solid strategy. For example, when Juventus faces a team like Slavia Prague, their solid backline often means a clean sheet is a realistic bet.
Do your research and follow these tips if you want to increase your chances of having pockets full of cash. Or, more specifically, a wallet full of cryptocurrency because the best way to wager on the Europa League is with crypto. Let’s see how.
How to bet on the Europa League with crypto
Betting on the UEFA Europa League with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies takes a few clicks, especially on platforms like sportbet.one. Here's how to get started:
- First, visit Sportbet.one and sign up using your email, social media account, or an existing crypto wallet. The KYC procedure or additional verification isn’t required at Sportbet.one, so you have your profile ready in seconds.
- To deposit funds, simply transfer your crypto from your wallet to your account. You can also easily buy it through the platform’s built-in exchange.
- Once your deposit is ready, browse through the sports betting options and select the Europa League match you want to bet on.
- Choose your preferred type of bet, enter the amount you want to wager, and confirm your bet.
This way of Europa League betting isn’t just the fastest and most convenient but also safe due to blockchain technologies. They ensure that all your data is safely stored but difficult to track, while smart contracts guarantee that the platform fulfills its part of the deal, providing quick and safe payouts. So, when betting with Sportbet.one, you win two times: first, when your team scores a decisive goal, and second, when you get your winnings without high fees in minutes.
Why betting on the Europa League is worth your time
The Europa League isn’t the top UEFA League, but it still has lots of tension, anticipation, great players, and unforgettable matches. So, betting on the Europa League games can bring you great fun and winning as long as you understand how odds work, mix different types of bets, and research the teams before betting. And, of course, don’t forget to bet with cryptocurrency to protect your winnings from high fees and long waiting.
FAQ
Can you bet on the Europa League?
Yes, you can bet on the Europa League using traditional methods like credit cards, PayPal, or bank transfers through various online sportsbooks. However, cryptocurrency betting is one of the most convenient ways, as it offers greater anonymity, quick deposits, secure transactions, and no waiting for bank approvals.
When is the Europa League final?
The Europa League final usually takes place in late May. The 2024/25 final is scheduled for May 21nd, 2025.
Who has won the Europa League most often?
Sevilla FC holds the record for the most Europa League titles, having won the competition seven times. Still, many factors influence the final results. So, do your research before betting, as sometimes underdogs become champions.