UEFA Europa League Matchday 4: Bold Predictions You Can't Afford to Miss!

Step aside Champions League, the Europa League is ready to take the spotlight.

We have arrived at the semifinal stage of Europe's second-tier competition, with only four clubs remaining after nine months of football. The qualifying rounds began back in July 2025 and the league phase got underway two months later, with Thursday evenings filled with continental drama for the better part of a year.

Unlike the previous format which allowed Champions League dropouts to enter the competition, the Europa League carries a refreshing energy given the clubs still in contention. Former European champions feature among the four remaining sides, alongside several teams chasing history.

The first leg of each tightly balanced semifinal takes place this Thursday, and here's how Sports Illustrated expects them to unfold.

Braga vs. Freiburg

Kick-off time: 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT

Both Braga and Freiburg find themselves in largely uncharted waters. The Portuguese side have only reached the last four of a major European tournament once previously, advancing before falling to fellow Portuguese club Porto in the 2010–11 Europa League final. Freiburg, meanwhile, are competing in just their seventh European campaign, already surpassing their previous continental achievements.

There seems little to choose between the two sides ahead of Thursday's first leg at the impressive Estádio Municipal de Braga, though home advantage gives Braga a slight edge. Having suffered just one home defeat in the Europa League this season, they will be confident of securing a favorable result before heading to Germany.

That said, Braga have struggled in first legs so far. A 2–0 loss to Ferencváros was followed by a draw with Real Betis, with second leg victories needed to advance on both occasions. That will give Freiburg reason for optimism.

The German side have been in outstanding attacking form throughout the Europa League knockout rounds, putting five past Genk and six past Celta Vigo across two legs. They may not manage a win away from home, but they will certainly pose serious problems for Braga's defense.

Prediction: Braga 2–2 Freiburg

Nottingham Forest vs. Aston Villa

Kick-off time: 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT

An English club is guaranteed a place in this season's Europa League final. Former European Cup holders Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa clash in the other semifinal, with the Midlands rivals eager to recapture their glory days by lifting another continental trophy.

Unlike Braga and Freiburg, these two clubs are well acquainted. They have already met twice this season, with Villa winning at home before the 1–1 draw at the City Ground earlier this month. Head-to-head records from previous seasons have marginally favored Villa, though they are yet to claim a victory away at Forest since the latter's return to the Premier League.

A tense battle is expected as Vítor Pereira and Unai Emery attempt to outwit each other, with both squads packed with players capable of producing a moment of brilliance. Despite an 11-place gap between them in the Premier League standings, anticipate a closely contested match at the City Ground.

Forest may have rediscovered their sharpness in front of goal recently, but their European fixtures have largely been low-scoring encounters. With Villa content to settle for a draw and willing to make the game a scrappy affair, a hard-fought stalemate could well be the result.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1–1 Aston Villa

Europa League Semifinal First Leg Predictions