Europa League Predictions & Betting Tips – Wednesday, 16 September 2026

The Europa League returns on Wednesday with nine matches across the evening, including Milan vs Benfica, Anderlecht vs Lyon and Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar.

Here are our Europa League predictions for 16 September 2026, with a quick look at recent form and our preferred picks for every match.

⚽ Europa League Fixtures – 16 September 2026

• Ararat Armenia vs Sparta Prague – 5:45 PM
• Omonia Nicosia vs Celta Vigo – 5:45 PM
• Milan vs Benfica – 8:00 PM
• Anderlecht vs Lyon – 8:00 PM
• Bayer Leverkusen vs NK Celje – 8:00 PM
• Hapoel Beer Sheva vs Dinamo Zagreb – 8:00 PM
• Olympiacos vs Jagiellonia Białystok – 8:00 PM
• Sturm Graz vs Rennes – 8:00 PM
• Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar – 8:00 PM

Ararat Armenia vs Sparta Prague Prediction

Ararat Armenia come into this one with three wins from their last five matches, while Sparta Prague have been more unpredictable. The Czech side have recently beaten Jablonec 2-0 and Žižkov 5-0, but also lost to Hradec Králové and Slavia Prague.

Sparta have the stronger European pedigree, although an away trip to Yerevan should not be treated as straightforward.

🎯 Our Picks

• Sparta Prague or Draw – X2
• Over 1.5 Goals

Omonia Nicosia vs Celta Vigo Prediction

Omonia have lost only once across their last five, including a 4-1 away win over Aris Limassol.

Celta arrive in much poorer form. They are winless across the five matches listed by FotMob, with three goals scored during that run. Several attacking players are also listed as unavailable, including Iago Aspas and Borja Iglesias.

🎯 Our Picks

• Omonia Nicosia or Draw – 1X
• Under 3.5 Goals

Milan vs Benfica Prediction

This is the standout fixture of the night.

Milan have taken three wins and a draw from their last five, while Benfica arrive in excellent form after winning all five of their latest matches. The Portuguese side scored at least three goals in four of those five games.

FotMob’s current H2H record shows one previous meeting in its data, won by Benfica. This one looks much more attractive from a goals angle than trying to separate two strong sides.

🎯 Our Picks

• Over 1.5 Goals
• Both Teams to Score – Yes

Anderlecht vs Lyon Prediction

Anderlecht have kept three clean sheets across their last five matches, while Lyon have lost only once during the same period.

The H2H record available on FotMob is perfectly balanced at one win each. With both sides showing enough recent stability, this could be one of Wednesday’s tighter contests.

🎯 Our Picks

• Under 3.5 Goals
• Lyon or Draw – X2

Bayer Leverkusen vs NK Celje Prediction

Leverkusen should see this as an opportunity to start their Europa League campaign strongly at the BayArena.

They have scored 14 goals across their last five matches, including two separate 4-0 victories. Celje, meanwhile, have lost four of their last five.

That difference in form makes the German side one of the clearer favourites on Wednesday.

🎯 Our Picks

• Bayer Leverkusen to Win
• Over 1.5 Goals

Hapoel Beer Sheva vs Dinamo Zagreb Prediction

Hapoel Beer Sheva’s recent results have been mixed. Their run includes wins over Hapoel Ramat Gan and Red Star Belgrade, but they also suffered heavy defeats against Sabah and Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Dinamo Zagreb bring plenty of European experience, so backing the visitors with draw protection looks safer than forcing an outright winner.

🎯 Our Picks

• Dinamo Zagreb or Draw – X2
• Over 1.5 Goals

Olympiacos vs Jagiellonia Białystok Prediction

Olympiacos have home advantage at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, which makes them difficult to ignore in this matchup. FotMob lists this as their opening Europa League league-phase fixture, although the Greek side do have several unavailable players.

Jagiellonia should still offer resistance, so the safer combination is to stay with Olympiacos while keeping the goals line modest.

🎯 Our Picks

• Olympiacos to Win
• Over 1.5 Goals

Sturm Graz vs Rennes Prediction

Sturm Graz have managed two wins in their last five, but their defensive record is a concern. FotMob notes that they have gone 14 matches without a clean sheet.

Rennes have scored in all five of their latest matches, including three against Le Mans and two against PSG. That makes the French side attractive with draw protection.

🎯 Our Picks

• Rennes or Draw – X2
• Over 1.5 Goals

Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar Prediction

Sunderland welcome AZ Alkmaar to the Stadium of Light for an interesting opening-round matchup. FotMob confirms the game is part of Europa League Round 1.

Home advantage gives Sunderland a useful edge, but AZ have enough European experience to make the outright result difficult to call.

🎯 Our Picks

• Sunderland or Draw – 1X
• Over 1.5 Goals

🔥 Best Europa League Predictions Today

If we narrow the nine matches down to our strongest selections:

• Bayer Leverkusen to Win vs NK Celje
• Olympiacos to Win vs Jagiellonia Białystok
• Sparta Prague or Draw vs Ararat Armenia
• Rennes or Draw vs Sturm Graz
• Over 1.5 Goals – Milan vs Benfica

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FreeTipz Editorial Team is a group of experienced football analysts providing match previews, statistical analysis, and data-driven predictions across major football leagues, cup competitions, and international tournaments.