Today's football tips for 19 Feb 2026: analysis of three promising matches and the opening fixtures for two European cups.
On 19 February 2026, today's football tips focus on two major European competitions: the Europa League and the UEFA Conference League play-off first legs. We present analysis and insights on three notable matches to watch.
- Europa League play-off first leg / Kickoff at 00:45 GMT+7.
"The Forest" will debut a new coach, Vítor Pereira, after dismissing Sean Dyche, who lasted just four months, having failed to win in the last three games (one loss, two draws). Former Wolverhampton coach Pereira faces his old club Fenerbahçe, whom he has worked with twice and knows well. However, the team is missing three goalkeepers simultaneously: Mats Sels, John Victor (injured), and Stefan Ortega (not registered), who just joined in January. Fortunately, they still have leaders like Elliott Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Igor Jesus.
Fenerbahçe advanced despite mediocre form, winning only one of their last five league phase matches (one win, two draws, two losses). But they have since exploded in form, winning their last four games in the league and Turkish Cup, remaining unbeaten in 22 league games this season (15 wins, 7 draws). Although their record against English teams in 21 meetings is just four wins (12 losses), the signings of N'Golo Kanté and Matteo Guendouzi have strengthened their midfield, while striker Anderson Talisca, with 21 goals, should be enough to overcome a side adapting to a coaching change.
Analysis Fenerbahçe will not lose to a team undergoing a coaching change.
- UEFA Conference League play-off first leg / Kickoff at 00:45 GMT+7.
"The Eagles" are struggling, enduring a 12-match winless streak. Although they recently beat Brighton, they lost their latest league game at home 2-3 to Burnley. Still, they are considered one of the favorites to win this competition. In the league phase, they recorded three wins, one draw, and two losses. The winter transfer window brought Brennan Johnson and Jürgen Strand Larsen, who has scored twice. Only injured players Jean-Philippe Mateta, Cheik Doucouré, and Eddie Nketiah remain sidelined, so the squad is largely intact.
The hosts from Bosnia had a league phase record of two wins, one draw, and three losses. Their last eight games saw three wins, two draws, and three losses. Their latest match was a 0-3 loss to Borac Banja Luka, a league title contender, leaving them four points behind and denting their confidence. Although striker Nemanja Bilbija, with 15 goals this season, leads the attack, the overall team is unlikely to challenge Crystal Palace.
Analysis Crystal Palace will come away with a victory.
- Europa League play-off first leg / Kickoff at 03:00 GMT+7.
"The Green-Whites" at home have been unbeaten in 10 consecutive games since Martin O'Neill returned for a second spell as coach (eight wins, two draws). This turnaround lifted them to 21st place in the league phase, qualifying for the play-offs. They currently enjoy great confidence, having won five straight games. They face a challenge with five injured players but three new signings—Julián Araújo, Junior Adamu, and Tomas Šwančara—are registered and provide cover.
Visitors "The Whites" are also in good form, unbeaten in their last 14 games with ten wins, two draws, and two losses. They rank fourth in the Bundesliga and reached the DFB-Pokal semi-finals. In the league phase, they finished 11th with five wins and three losses, though their away form is concerning: only one win and three losses in four matches. They also have five injured players, like Celtic. Key players remain, including midfielder Angelo Stiller and top scorers Deniz Undav (12 goals) and Ermedin Demirović (7 goals). Overall, a draw is likely.
Analysis The Green-Whites will draw with the Whites.