<p>The <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/uefa-competitions/uefa-europa-league/uefa-europa-league-outrights-2025-26-9570672">2025/26 UEFA Europa League</a> returns for Matchday 3 on Thursday, October 23, with all 36 teams in action across 18 fixtures spread throughout the day.</p> <p>With the new league phase format in full swing, teams are jostling for position in the single standings table, where the top eight will earn direct passage to the Round of 16, whilst teams finishing 9th to 24th will contest knockout playoffs.</p> <p>Thursday's action kicks off at 02:45 AEST on Friday morning for Australian viewers, with nine matches starting simultaneously, before the remaining nine fixtures begin at 05:00 AEST.</p> <h2>Current Europa League Standings</h2> <p>After two matchdays, Dinamo Zagreb lead the way with a perfect record, sitting atop the 36-team table with six points and a plus-four goal difference.&nbsp;</p> <p>Croatian champions Zagreb are joined on six points by FC Midtjylland, Sporting Braga, Aston Villa, Lyon, Lille, and Porto - all of whom have won both opening fixtures.</p> <p>At the opposite end of the table, Nice, Rangers, Utrecht, Red Bull Salzburg, Feyenoord, and Malmö are yet to register a point, with pressure mounting to kickstart their campaigns on Matchday 3.</p> <p>The league phase format means every match carries significant weight, with teams able to climb or fall dramatically in the standings based on a single result.</p> <h2>British Interest: Four Teams in Action</h2> <p>Thursday's fixtures feature four British clubs, each with contrasting fortunes so far in the competition.</p> <p>Aston Villa travel to Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands looking to maintain their perfect start under Unai Emery. Villa have won both opening matches, defeating Bologna 1-0 at home before a 2-0 victory at Feyenoord. The Premier League side sit joint-third in the table and will fancy their chances against the Dutch outfit, who have one win and one loss from their opening two fixtures.</p> <p>Rangers face Norwegian side Brann in Bergen, with new manager Danny Rohl taking charge for the first time after replacing Ange Postecoglou. The Glasgow giants have endured a nightmare start, losing both opening matches without scoring a goal, leaving them joint-32nd in the standings. Brann have three points from two games and will sense an opportunity against a Rangers side in transition.</p> <p>Celtic host Sturm Graz at Celtic Park at 05:00 AEST, desperately needing points after collecting just one from their opening two matches. The Scottish champions drew 1-1 with Red Star Belgrade before losing 2-0 to Braga, leaving them 28th in the table. Sturm Graz arrive with an identical record of one point from two games.</p> <p>Nottingham Forest welcome Porto to the City Ground under the management of new boss Sean Dyche, their third manager of the 2025/26 season <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/soccer/soccer-news/postecoglou-nottingham-forest-sacking-analysis">after sacking Australia’s Postecoglou earlier this week</a>. Forest have collected just one point from a 2-2 draw with Real Betis and a 3-2 home defeat to Midtjylland. Porto, by contrast, are among the seven teams with maximum points, having beaten both Red Bull Salzburg and Red Star Belgrade.</p> <h2>Matchday 3 Fixtures</h2> <p>02:45 AEST (Friday)</p> <ul> <li>Brann vs Rangers</li> <li>FCSB vs Bologna</li> <li>Fenerbahçe vs Stuttgart</li> <li>Feyenoord vs Panathinaikos</li> <li>Genk vs Real Betis</li> <li>Go Ahead Eagles vs Aston Villa</li> <li>Olympique Lyonnais vs Basel</li> <li>Red Bull Salzburg vs Ferencváros</li> <li>Sporting Braga vs Red Star Belgrade</li> </ul> <p>05:00 AEST (Friday)</p> <ul> <li>Celta Vigo vs Nice</li> <li>Celtic vs Sturm Graz</li> <li>Freiburg vs Utrecht</li> <li>Lille vs PAOK</li> <li>Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Midtjylland</li> <li>Malmö FF vs Dinamo Zagreb</li> <li>Nottingham Forest vs Porto</li> <li>Roma vs Viktoria Plzeň</li> <li>Young Boys vs Ludogorets Razgrad</li> </ul> <h2>Europa League 2025/26 Predictions</h2> <p>With such a packed fixture list, identifying value across the markets requires careful analysis of form and context.</p> <h3><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/uefa-competitions/uefa-europa-league/go-ahead-eagles-v-aston-villa-9694468">Aston Villa to Win</a></h3> <p>Villa's perfect start and quality squad should see them too strong for Go Ahead Eagles. Unai Emery's side have looked comfortable in Europe so far, and despite travelling to the Netherlands, they possess the quality to maintain their 100% record. We'd back Villa to collect all three points and cement their position in the top eight.</p> <h3><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/uefa-competitions/uefa-europa-league/brann-v-rangers-9699370">Rangers Double Chance</a></h3> <p>Whilst Rangers have struggled, they're facing a Brann side who aren't invincible at home. With new manager Danny Röhl taking charge for the first time, there's often a "new manager bounce" effect to consider. We'd look at Rangers on the double chance market (covering the draw and an away win) as value given the circumstances.</p> <h3><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/uefa-competitions/uefa-europa-league/celtic-v-sturm-graz-9694475">Celtic to Win &amp; Both Teams to Score - No</a></h3> <p>Celtic's home record should count for plenty against Sturm Graz, who themselves are struggling with just one point. We'd back the Scottish champions to collect a much-needed three points at Celtic Park. Additionally, with Celtic needing a clean sheet to boost confidence, we'd consider backing 'No' in the Both Teams to Score market.</p> <h3><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/uefa-competitions/uefa-europa-league/nottm-forest-v-porto-9694474">Nottingham Forest vs Porto - Porto Win</a></h3> <p>This looks the toughest assignment for the British teams. Porto arrive with six points from six, whilst Forest are in turmoil with their third manager of the season. The Portuguese giants have quality throughout their squad and should have too much firepower for a Forest side still finding their feet under Sean Dyche. We'd back Porto to extend their perfect start.</p> <h3><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/uefa-competitions/uefa-europa-league/malmo-ff-v-dinamo-zagreb-9694941">Dinamo Zagreb to Continue Perfect Start</a></h3> <p>The league leaders travel to Malmö, who are bottom of the table without a point. Zagreb have scored six and conceded just two in their opening matches, and we'd expect them to collect another three points in Sweden. The Croatians look well-placed for a top-eight finish and should be too strong here.</p> <h3><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/uefa-competitions/uefa-europa-league/feyenoord-v-panathinaikos-9694918">Over 2.5 Goals - Feyenoord vs Panathinaikos</a></h3> <p>Feyenoord are pointless after two games and will be desperate to register their first win at home. Panathinaikos have been involved in entertaining matches themselves. With both sides needing points, we'd expect an open encounter with goals at both ends.</p>