Ligue Europa 2026-2027: three betting picks for the opening round

Arthur Wandji, a Cameroonian sports journalist and betting expert, has selected a three-match accumulator for the opening round of the 2026-2027 Ligue Europa, with defensive discipline and attacking pressure central to his predictions.

Anderlecht v Lyon – 16 September, 19:00 GMT

Betting pick: 0-0 at half-time (odds: 3.36)

Anderlecht will look to turn their strong European home form into another positive result when they face Lyon. The Belgian side have been particularly hard to break down in continental competition and are currently on a run of three matches without conceding.

Lyon have also tended to adopt a cautious approach away from home in the Ligue Europa. Both teams have shown a clear preference for controlling the opening stages of European matches rather than committing heavily in attack.

Recent scoring patterns involving the sides’ key forwards also point towards a restrained first half, with the defences expected to have the upper hand before the interval.

Lyon will be without Julien Duranville for the match, while Anderlecht can call on Danylo Sikan, who scored five goals during the qualifying phase of this Ligue Europa campaign.

Bayer Leverkusen v Celje – 16 September, 19:00 GMT

Betting pick: Bayer Leverkusen to win more than 5.5 corners (odds: 1.44)

Bayer Leverkusen return to the Ligue Europa aiming to make an immediate impression at home. The former finalists possess significant attacking strength, with Patrik Schick having made a perfect start to the season by scoring three goals in the Bundesliga.

Leverkusen’s attacking structure should allow them to apply sustained pressure, particularly in wide areas, against Celje. The Slovenian champions are appearing in the main phase of the competition and have struggled defensively on their travels.

Celje have not kept a clean sheet away from home and have regularly been forced to withstand pressure from their opponents in European matches. That could lead to a one-sided contest, with Leverkusen’s territorial dominance and repeated attacks from the flanks likely to produce a high number of corners.

The recommendation is therefore for Bayer Leverkusen to record more than 5.5 corners.

Juventus v Nijmegen – 17 September, 19:00 GMT

Betting pick: more than 8.5 corners in the match (odds: 1.49)

Juventus will be seeking an immediate response after their 3-2 Serie A defeat by Sassuolo. Luciano Spalletti’s side must manage a lengthy injury list, which includes Locatelli and McKennie, but they retain a strong European record at home.

Edon Zhegrova has also provided an attacking threat, having scored two goals in three Serie A appearances. Juventus are expected to take the initiative in Turin against a NEC Nijmegen team whose confidence has been weakened by three successive league matches without a win, including two defeats and one draw.

The Dutch visitors have also found it difficult to make an impact in continental matches away from home. They are likely to try to restrict the space available to Juventus and absorb the pressure in a hostile atmosphere.

The combination of Juventus’ attacking intent and Nijmegen’s expected defensive approach supports a prediction of more than 8.5 corners in the game.

Odds may change.