The UEFA Europa League 2025-26 is back in the spotlight, and the stakes could hardly be higher as Matchday 7 rolls around this Thursday. With only two rounds left in the league phase, the competition is heating up, and the race for those coveted round-of-16 spots has never been tighter. Three teams—Lyon, Aston Villa, and Midtjylland—are locked together at the summit, each sitting pretty on 15 points after six matches. But nothing is set in stone yet, and the coming fixtures promise drama, tension, and perhaps a twist or two.
For Aston Villa, the challenge is crystal clear but far from straightforward. The English side, fresh off a qualification-clinching 2-1 win in Basel on Matchday 6, now travel to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce. Villa will be without their influential captain John McGinn, who is sidelined with injury, making this trip all the more daunting. Their recent stumble—a surprise 1-0 home defeat to Everton, their first at Villa Park since August—adds another layer of intrigue. Can Unai Emery’s men steady the ship and keep their bid for automatic qualification on track?
Fenerbahce, currently 12th in the standings, are not to be underestimated. After a rocky start with a Matchday 1 defeat to GNK Dinamo, the Turkish giants have shown real resilience, winning three and drawing two of their next five games. A top-eight finish, and with it, direct passage to the round of 16, is still within their grasp. One player to watch is Kerem Aktürkoğlu, who has found the net four times in six matches, including goals in three separate games. According to UEFA.com, "Fenerbahçe's Kerem Aktürkoğlu has scored in three of his team's six games so far, a total of four goals." With the home crowd at Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium sure to be in full voice, Villa will need every ounce of grit to come away with points.
Meanwhile, Lyon and Midtjylland, Villa’s co-leaders, face what look on paper to be more manageable assignments. Lyon head to Bern to take on Young Boys, who languish in 21st place and have struggled for consistency throughout the campaign. The French side, with five wins and a single defeat, will be keen to avoid any slip-ups against a side desperate to salvage their European season. Midtjylland, the high-flying Danish outfit who have already secured knockout qualification with five wins out of six, travel to Norway to face Brann. Brann sit 22nd, and while they’ll relish the opportunity to play spoiler, the odds favor Midtjylland keeping their momentum rolling.
The competition format this season mirrors that of the UEFA Champions League, with the top eight teams after eight rounds progressing directly to the knockout phase. Those finishing between ninth and 24th will have to settle for a two-legged playoff to keep their European dreams alive. Every point, every goal, and every defensive stand matters now more than ever.
Elsewhere, the fixture list is packed with critical clashes that could reshape the knockout landscape. Roma and Stuttgart, currently 10th and ninth respectively and tied on points with identical records (four wins, two draws), meet at the iconic Stadio Olimpico. This is the first-ever competitive meeting between the two clubs, and the stakes could not be higher. Stuttgart will draw inspiration from the fact that both Lille and Viktoria Plzeň have already claimed victories in Rome this season. However, their own away form in Europe leaves something to be desired, with just three wins in their last ten trips (alongside one draw and six losses).
Braga, who sit seventh and are eyeing a direct round-of-16 berth, host Nottingham Forest in another must-watch contest. Braga’s campaign started brightly with three consecutive wins, but a dramatic 4-3 home defeat to Genk and a draw at Rangers have injected some uncertainty. Still, they rebounded with a big win in Nice and remain formidable at home. Nottingham Forest, on the other hand, have climbed to 11th after a rocky start, buoyed by a notable 2-0 victory over Porto on Matchday 3. The English side will be eager to extend their resurgence and stake a claim for a playoff spot.
Speaking of Porto, the Portuguese giants are clinging to a top-eight place by just a single point and must navigate a tricky away tie at Viktoria Plzeň. Every slip-up could prove costly, especially with Stuttgart breathing down their necks. Celta Vigo and LOSC Lille, both on nine points and occupying 19th and 20th places respectively, face off in Vigo with their playoff hopes hanging in the balance. The margins are razor-thin, and the pressure is palpable.
Among the other storylines, Feyenoord and Sturm Graz meet in Rotterdam with their European survival on the line. Feyenoord, languishing in 30th on just three points, will hope the raucous De Kuip faithful can inspire them to a crucial win. Sturm Graz, just a point better off, have struggled mightily away from home, losing their last eight European road fixtures.
Then there’s the race for the golden boot. Ludogorets’ attacking midfielder Petar Stanić leads the scoring charts with six goals, including a remarkable four in his last two outings. He’ll look to add to that tally when Ludogorets travel to face Rangers, who are themselves fighting for relevance in a crowded mid-table.
For some teams, like Nice—already eliminated with zero points after six matches—pride is all that remains. The French side will welcome Go Ahead Eagles in a bid to finally give their fans something to cheer about, even if progression is no longer on the cards.
As the penultimate round of the league phase unfolds, the tension across Europe is palpable. With every club aware that a single slip could spell disaster, fans can expect high drama, big moments, and perhaps a few surprises before the dust settles.
So as Thursday’s action gets underway, all eyes will be on those pivotal away trips for Lyon, Aston Villa, and Midtjylland. Will the leaders hold their nerve, or will the chasing pack close the gap? With so much at stake and so little separating the contenders, the Europa League’s latest chapter is set to deliver another unforgettable night of football.