Three English teams are still in the mix for Europa and Conference League glory on Thursday. Both games have huge ramifications for several in the Premier League, knowing that, depending on who wins, it could unlock more routes to next year's competitions. The markets are buzzing right now, and I’ve got two picks as part of a 19/5 double with BetMGM. Let’s jump in.
TL; DR – My 19/5 Double is Live
| Bet | Bookie | Odds | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest to qualify | Boylesports | 3/4 | 1 |
| Ismaila Sarr to score | BetMGM | 19/10 | 2 |
| Double | BetMGM | 19/5 | 2 |
*Odds correct on 06/05/2026 at 10:00 BST. Odds subject to change.
No Expiry Date
Bet 1: Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa – Forest to Qualify
Nottingham Forest enter the second leg against Aston Villa with a deserved 1-0 lead. They played great last week and might be kicking themselves that they’re not taking a bigger advantage in Thursday night's game.
A lot was made about Sean Dyche leaving back in February, and I, for one, was sceptical about getting rid of someone with a good track record of keeping teams in the Premier League. But I’m happy to admit that I got it wrong as Vitor Pereira has done an incredible job in his time at the City Ground.
Forest are unbeaten since losing at home to Midtjylland in the first leg of the last 16 back in March, winning no fewer than seven out of 10 games. They are all but safe in the league thanks to a 3-1 win over Chelsea at the weekend, and they have all the momentum going into a massive game at Villa Park.
It’s contrasting fortunes for the two teams right now. Villa have lost each of their last three, and while they should be relatively safe in wrapping up that final Champions League spot, they are dropping off at the wrong time.
Their performance against Tottenham at the weekend was nothing short of embarrassing, and while I get that they will have had one eye on Thursday and Emery rang the changes, if I were a Villa fan, I’d be concerned right now.
With a goal advantage and all the momentum, I’m backing Forest to progress here. They are priced at 3/4 with Boylesports, and there’s enough meat on the bone to get involved.
Bet 2: Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk – Ismaila Sarr to Score
Going to Ukraine and battering Shakhtar Donetsk in their backyard was about as impressive as I’ve seen from Crystal Palace this season. Their game plan was clear: allow Shakhtar to dominate the possession, sit tight and compact at the back, and then hit them on the counter.
A lot has been made of Oliver Glasner’s final few months at the club as he’s set to leave in the summer, but this was the blueprint of what elevated his profile to be one of the league's best managers.
I’d be surprised if they let this slip on Thursday night, and I’d back them to have another relatively comfortable evening. I don’t love 3/5 on a Palace win and even less on the insane 1/40 for them to qualify, but I do like Ismaila Sarr to score anytime at 19/10 with BetMGM.
He’s got eight in 12 starts in the Europa Conference League so far, but more importantly, five in his last four, including one last week.
I’m a big fan of the Senegalese forward, and a return of 21 goals from 43 games so far this season is better than good in my book. We’re getting 19/10 with BetMGM, and I think that’s a great price for a game that should be more suited to him with Shakhtar needing to push and open the game up.
My 19/5 Europa and Conference League Double is Live
