Thursday, September 19, 2019 marks the start of the 2019-2020 UEFA Europa League season.
While it’s not as glamorous as the UEFA Champions League, this league draws intrigue as being
a “best of the rest” competition. European competition helps clubs grow their reputation, helps their
players grow, and gives fans of less successful teams something to cheer about. Whether it’s clubs
like Arsenal, Manchester United, or Roma who are currently struggling to get back to title contention
domestically, Wolfsburg or Sevilla who lack the finances and resources to compete against the bigger
clubs in their countries, or big fish in small ponds like Basel, Celtic, and Copenhagen trying to erase
that reputation, the UEFA Europa League is a competition worth your attention because of those and
many other storylines. Some star players will prove they deserve to be in bigger stages next season,
while other young talents and hidden gems will be unearthed as well.
While it’s not as glamorous as the UEFA Champions League, this league draws intrigue as being
a “best of the rest” competition. European competition helps clubs grow their reputation, helps their
players grow, and gives fans of less successful teams something to cheer about. Whether it’s clubs
like Arsenal, Manchester United, or Roma who are currently struggling to get back to title contention
domestically, Wolfsburg or Sevilla who lack the finances and resources to compete against the bigger
clubs in their countries, or big fish in small ponds like Basel, Celtic, and Copenhagen trying to erase
that reputation, the UEFA Europa League is a competition worth your attention because of those and
many other storylines. Some star players will prove they deserve to be in bigger stages next season,
while other young talents and hidden gems will be unearthed as well.
The group stage of the Europa League consists of 48 clubs from across Europe and they’ve been
seeded into four Pots based on their European coefficients. Each group will consist of four clubs
total, one from each pot.
seeded into four Pots based on their European coefficients. Each group will consist of four clubs
total, one from each pot.
Pot 1:
Sevilla (ESP)
Arsenal (ENG)
Porto (POR)
Roma (ITA)
Manchester United (ENG)
Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)
Besiktas (TUR)
Basel (SUI)
Sporting CP (POR)
CSKA Moscow (RUS)
Wolfsburg (GER)
Lazio (ITA)
Pot 2:
PSV Eindhoven (NED)
Krasnodar (RUS)
Celtic (SCO)
Copenhagen (DEN)
Braga (POR)
Gent (BEL)
Borussia Mönchengladbach (GER)
Young Boys (SUI)
Astana (KAZ)
Ludogorets Razgrad (BUL)
APOEL (CYP)
Eintracht Frankfurt (GER)
Pot 3:
Saint-Etienne (FRA)
Qarabag (AZE)
Feyenoord (NED)
Getafe (ESP)
Espanyol (ESP)
Malmo (SWE)
Partizan (SRB)
Standard Liege (BEL)
Wolverhampton Wanderers (ENG)
Rennes (FRA)
Rosenborg (NOR)
Istanbul Basaksehir (TUR)
Pot 4:
AZ (NED)
Vitoria de Guimaraes (POR)
Trabzonspor (TUR)
Oleksandriya (UKR)
F91 Dudelange (LUX)
LASK (AUT)
Wolfsberger (AUT)
Slovan Bratislava (SVK)
Lugano (SUI)
Rangers (SCO)
Cluj (ROU)
Ferencvaros (HUN)
The draw yielded the following groups, with the top two clubs of each group advantaging to the
Round of 32 and the knockout stage. Those 24 clubs will be joined by 8 from the Champions League
who failed to advance out of their groups and finished in 3rd place, granting them a second chance
in the Europa League.
Round of 32 and the knockout stage. Those 24 clubs will be joined by 8 from the Champions League
who failed to advance out of their groups and finished in 3rd place, granting them a second chance
in the Europa League.
Group A: Sevilla, APOEL, Qarabag, Dudelange
This Sevilla side isn’t quite the same as the one where Unai Emery lead them to 3 straight Europa
League titles from 2014-2016, but they are the biggest Spanish side in the Europa League this year
and a dark horse to win it all. Dudelange, like last year, have done well just to make it this far, but it’s
likely between APOEL and Qarabag for the last spot. I’m leaning toward APOEL, who have some
experienced players relative to their size club.
League titles from 2014-2016, but they are the biggest Spanish side in the Europa League this year
and a dark horse to win it all. Dudelange, like last year, have done well just to make it this far, but it’s
likely between APOEL and Qarabag for the last spot. I’m leaning toward APOEL, who have some
experienced players relative to their size club.
Group B: Dynamo Kyiv, Kobenhavn, Malmo, Lugano
The Scandinavian derby between Kobenhavn (Copenhagen) and Malmo not only will be interesting,
but it might decide who finishes second in this group. Lugano aren’t necessarily dead in the water,
but they will struggle. The Ukranian Premier League is underrated and often known just for Shakhtar
Donetsk, but other clubs aside from them have made it to the knockout stage of the Europa League in
the past and I expect Dynamo Kyiv to do the same. As for second, I’m leaning toward Malmo as
they’ve appeared in the Champions League group stage in recent seasons.
but it might decide who finishes second in this group. Lugano aren’t necessarily dead in the water,
but they will struggle. The Ukranian Premier League is underrated and often known just for Shakhtar
Donetsk, but other clubs aside from them have made it to the knockout stage of the Europa League in
the past and I expect Dynamo Kyiv to do the same. As for second, I’m leaning toward Malmo as
they’ve appeared in the Champions League group stage in recent seasons.
Group C: Basel, Krasnodar, Getafe, Trabzonspor
Krasondar and Getafe appear to be the favorites here based on the talent available to each club.
Trabzonspor is not a traditional Turkish powerhouse along the same lines as Besiktas or Galatasaray
and Basel appears to be in a phase of turnover. Basel have produced some decent players but the
problem is they can’t always replace them. Krasnodar and Getafe have proven to be sleepers either
continentally, domestically, or both, so I’ll pick them to advance.
Trabzonspor is not a traditional Turkish powerhouse along the same lines as Besiktas or Galatasaray
and Basel appears to be in a phase of turnover. Basel have produced some decent players but the
problem is they can’t always replace them. Krasnodar and Getafe have proven to be sleepers either
continentally, domestically, or both, so I’ll pick them to advance.
Group D: Sporting CP, PSV, Rosenborg, LASK
Sporting CP and PSV don’t grab as many headlines recently as their domestic rivals Porto, Benfica,
or Ajax respectively, but they are still decent teams with solid players. I think they’ll simply have too
much talent for Rosenborg or LASK to get past them. PSV looks like the more complete team of the
two and they’ll be hoping their group of death experience in the Champions League last year (against
Barcelona, Tottenham, and Inter, quite the trial by fire in this sport) means they can channel that energy
to outdo Sporting CP for top spot. However, PSV did need to qualify via the playoffs, so Sporting CP
may still have the edge.
or Ajax respectively, but they are still decent teams with solid players. I think they’ll simply have too
much talent for Rosenborg or LASK to get past them. PSV looks like the more complete team of the
two and they’ll be hoping their group of death experience in the Champions League last year (against
Barcelona, Tottenham, and Inter, quite the trial by fire in this sport) means they can channel that energy
to outdo Sporting CP for top spot. However, PSV did need to qualify via the playoffs, so Sporting CP
may still have the edge.
Group E: Lazio, Celtic, Rennes, Cluj
Lazio and Celtic are the most familiar names in this group, with Lazio potential favorites to win this competition
if for no other reason than sensational midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Celtic and Cluj clashed in UCL
qualifiers, with the Romanian side surprising the Hoops, but ultimately neither reached the Champions
League and here they are. It’s tempting to put Celtic in the 2nd spot in this group because they have the
pedigree, but they simply don’t have the quality to guarantee that especially after losing Kieran Tierney.
Rennes seems like the obvious choice as a solid Ligue 1 side, so I’m happy to predict them to advance.
It all depends on if Celtic or Cluj can punch above their weight.
if for no other reason than sensational midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Celtic and Cluj clashed in UCL
qualifiers, with the Romanian side surprising the Hoops, but ultimately neither reached the Champions
League and here they are. It’s tempting to put Celtic in the 2nd spot in this group because they have the
pedigree, but they simply don’t have the quality to guarantee that especially after losing Kieran Tierney.
Rennes seems like the obvious choice as a solid Ligue 1 side, so I’m happy to predict them to advance.
It all depends on if Celtic or Cluj can punch above their weight.
Group F: Arsenal, Frankfurt, Standard Liege, Vitoria Guimaraes
Arsenal once again have to settle for Europa League football, and it’s been a case of always the
bridesmaid, never the bride, when it comes to European glory in either competition. They’ve come
close recently, losing to Atlético Madrid in the semifinals in 2018 and Chelsea in the final in 2019,
but close won’t cut it. Not only are they expected to win this group and convincingly so, but there’s
pressure on manager Unai Emery to repeat his heroics from his time at Sevilla. Frankfurt appear to be
the best of the rest even without Luka Jovic and Sebastian Haller who have moved on to Real Madrid
and West Ham United respectively, but they are vulnerable and either other side can sneak in.
If Eintracht Frankfurt could go on another deep run in this competition, that would be a remarkable
achievement.
bridesmaid, never the bride, when it comes to European glory in either competition. They’ve come
close recently, losing to Atlético Madrid in the semifinals in 2018 and Chelsea in the final in 2019,
but close won’t cut it. Not only are they expected to win this group and convincingly so, but there’s
pressure on manager Unai Emery to repeat his heroics from his time at Sevilla. Frankfurt appear to be
the best of the rest even without Luka Jovic and Sebastian Haller who have moved on to Real Madrid
and West Ham United respectively, but they are vulnerable and either other side can sneak in.
If Eintracht Frankfurt could go on another deep run in this competition, that would be a remarkable
achievement.
Group G: Porto, Young Boys, Feyenoord, Rangers
This group features some of the biggest sides of the second/third tier (depending on who you ask) of
European leagues. I believe every club in this group has a chance to advance, but lately Portuguese
and Dutch sides have been doing better than Europe so I have to go with Porto and Feyenoord.
Porto appeared to be the most likely to win this group as they are the strongest of these four clubs
on paper talent wise.
European leagues. I believe every club in this group has a chance to advance, but lately Portuguese
and Dutch sides have been doing better than Europe so I have to go with Porto and Feyenoord.
Porto appeared to be the most likely to win this group as they are the strongest of these four clubs
on paper talent wise.
Group H: CSKA Moscow, Ludogorets, Espanyol, Ferencvaros
Despite beating Real Madrid twice in last year’s Champions League group stage, CSKA Moscow crashed
out of that competition. However, in the lower difficulty of the Europa League and a group like this,
CSKA Moscow can surely win it. Espanyol are the other stand out club, but like Getafe they are new to
the European scene so that may affect some results. Ludogorets is the likelier of the two outsiders to
advance, but I’m picking CSKA and Espanyol.
out of that competition. However, in the lower difficulty of the Europa League and a group like this,
CSKA Moscow can surely win it. Espanyol are the other stand out club, but like Getafe they are new to
the European scene so that may affect some results. Ludogorets is the likelier of the two outsiders to
advance, but I’m picking CSKA and Espanyol.
Group I: Wolfsburg, Gent, Saint Etienne, Oleksandriya
Wolfsburg are off to a good start this year’s Bundesliga, and have some notable players such as
John Brooks, Ignacio Camacho, and Wout Weghorst. Whether it’s enough to win the Europa League
remains to be seen, but they are certainly good enough to win this group. Oleksandriya are a bit less
known that the other Ukranian teams in European competition, but they’ll have their work cut out for
them. Saint-Etienne are a bit inconsistent, and lately we’ve seen French clubs like Marseille and
Monaco disappoint, so I can see Gent finishing second as they are a decent Belgian club and have
done well in the Europa League in recent memory.
John Brooks, Ignacio Camacho, and Wout Weghorst. Whether it’s enough to win the Europa League
remains to be seen, but they are certainly good enough to win this group. Oleksandriya are a bit less
known that the other Ukranian teams in European competition, but they’ll have their work cut out for
them. Saint-Etienne are a bit inconsistent, and lately we’ve seen French clubs like Marseille and
Monaco disappoint, so I can see Gent finishing second as they are a decent Belgian club and have
done well in the Europa League in recent memory.
Group J: Roma, Moenchengladbach, Istanbul Basaksehir, Wolfsberger
Another group where two teams seem far stronger than the other. Roma and Monchengladbach have
strong teams for this level of competition, and it’ll likely be a matter of who is first and second between
these two. It’s a legitimate toss up but Roma’s young players such as Cengiz Under and Nicolo Zaniolo
give me confidence that Roma can finish top. Monchengladbach still have to cope with the loss of
Thorgan Hazard to Dortmund, but they also have one of the best goalkeepers in the Bundesliga in
Yann Sommer. It’s hard to see a way in for Istanbul or Wolfsberger.
strong teams for this level of competition, and it’ll likely be a matter of who is first and second between
these two. It’s a legitimate toss up but Roma’s young players such as Cengiz Under and Nicolo Zaniolo
give me confidence that Roma can finish top. Monchengladbach still have to cope with the loss of
Thorgan Hazard to Dortmund, but they also have one of the best goalkeepers in the Bundesliga in
Yann Sommer. It’s hard to see a way in for Istanbul or Wolfsberger.
Group K: Besiktas, Braga, Wolves, Slovan Bratislava
Sorry Slovan Bratislava, but you did well just to get this far. Besiktas, Braga, and Wolves will be getting
a lot of points from you as those three clubs get into a power struggle for the two spots to advance.
Wolves have captivated Premier League fans by playing such attractive football for a side that were
just in the Championship two seasons ago, and to finish 7th in their first season back in the Premier
League and be here is incredible. Their depth will be tested by the rigors of a domestic league that
Braga and Besiktas don’t really have. Braga is the next best Portuguese side outside of their big 3,
but I think Besiktas and Wolves will advance as they are just slightly better.
a lot of points from you as those three clubs get into a power struggle for the two spots to advance.
Wolves have captivated Premier League fans by playing such attractive football for a side that were
just in the Championship two seasons ago, and to finish 7th in their first season back in the Premier
League and be here is incredible. Their depth will be tested by the rigors of a domestic league that
Braga and Besiktas don’t really have. Braga is the next best Portuguese side outside of their big 3,
but I think Besiktas and Wolves will advance as they are just slightly better.
Group L: Manchester United, Astana, Partizan, AZ Alkmaar
Big questions will be asked of United if they don’t comfortably win this group. Yes, the same Manchester
United that lost 2-1 to Crystal Palace earlier this season. They still have expectations of winning the
Europa League, which they were able to do the last time they were in the competition back in 2017
when they beat Ajax 2-0. Since then Ajax have proven to be a solid UCL quality side while Manchester
United are blighted by an identity crisis and questionable transfers and tactics. The “banter era” would
be well and truly underway should they even finish second, but if any club in this group can upset the
apple cart is AZ Alkmaar. They’ll need some of that Ajax Dutch magic to do so, but they are not to be
underestimated. Astana might be a sleeper to sneak out of this group as well, having taken points off
some notable teams as they’ve recently arrived at the European level a few seasons ago.
United that lost 2-1 to Crystal Palace earlier this season. They still have expectations of winning the
Europa League, which they were able to do the last time they were in the competition back in 2017
when they beat Ajax 2-0. Since then Ajax have proven to be a solid UCL quality side while Manchester
United are blighted by an identity crisis and questionable transfers and tactics. The “banter era” would
be well and truly underway should they even finish second, but if any club in this group can upset the
apple cart is AZ Alkmaar. They’ll need some of that Ajax Dutch magic to do so, but they are not to be
underestimated. Astana might be a sleeper to sneak out of this group as well, having taken points off
some notable teams as they’ve recently arrived at the European level a few seasons ago.
In case you’d like to follow these teams in their domestic efforts as well as their Europa League
journeys, here are the participating clubs listed by their domestic leagues.
journeys, here are the participating clubs listed by their domestic leagues.
Participating Europa League Clubs by Nation
Portugal: 4 (Porto, Sporting CP, Braga, Guimaraes)
England: 3 (Arsenal, Manchester United, Wolverhampton)
Germany: 3 (Wolfsburg, Borussia Monchengladbach, Eintracht Frankfurt)
Netherlands: 3 (PSV, Feyenoord, AZ)
Spain: 3 (Sevilla, Getafe, Espanyol)
Switzerland: 3 (Basel, Young Boys, Lugano)
Turkey: 3 (Besiktas, Istanbul Basaksehir, Trabzonspor)
Austria: 2 (LASK, Wolfsberger)
Belgium: 2 (Gent, Standard Liege)
France: 2 (Saint-Etienne, Rennes)
Italy: 2 (Roma, Lazio)
Scotland: 2 (Celtic, Rangers)
Russia: 2 (CSKA Moscow, Krasnodar)
Ukraine: 2 (Dynamo Kyiv, Oleksandriya)
Azerbaijan: 1 (Qarabag)
Bulgaria: 1 (Ludogorets)
Cyprus: 1 (APOEL)
Denmark: 1 (Copenhagen)
Hungary: 1 (Fenecvaros)
Kazakhstan: 1 (Astana)
Luxembourg: 1 (F91 Dudelange)
Norway: 1 (Rosenborg)
Romania: 1 (Cluj)
Serbia: 1 (Partizan)
Slovakia: 1 (Slovan Bratislava)
Sweden: 1 (Malmo)
Nations Ranked by Total Clubs in Either UCL or UEL
England: 7 (Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, Spurs, Arsenal, Manchester United, Wolves)
Germany: 7 (Bayern Munich, Dortmund, Leverkusen, Leipzig, Wolfsburg, M’gladbach, Frankfurt)
Spain: 7 (Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Valencia, Sevilla, Getafe, Espanyol)
Italy: 6 (Juventus, Napoli, Inter, Atalanta, Roma, Lazio)
France: 5 (PSG, Lyon, Lille, Saint-Etienne, Rennes)
Portugal: 5 (Benfica, Porto, Sporting CP, Braga, Guimaraes)
Belgium: 4 (Club Brugge, Genk, Gent, Standard Liege)
Netherlands: 4 (Ajax, PSV, Feyenoord, AZ)
Russia: 4 (Zenit, Lokomotiv, CSKA, Krasnodar)
Turkey: 4 (Galatasaray, Besiktas, Istanbul Basaksehir, Trabzonspor)
Austria: 3 (RB Salzburg, LASK, Wolfenberger)
Ukraine: 3 (Shakhtar Donetsk, Dynamo Kyiv, Oleksandriya)
Scotland: 2 (Celtic, Rangers)
Serbia: 2 (Red Star Belgrade, Partizan)
Azerbaijan: 1 (Qarabag)
Bulgaria: 1 (Ludogorets)
Croatia: 1 (Dinamo Zagreb)
Cyprus: 1 (APOEL)
Czech Republic: 1 (Slavia Prague)
Denmark: 1 (Copenhagen)
Greece: 1 (Olympiacos)
Hungary: 1 (Fenecvaros)
Kazakhstan: 1 (Astana)
Luxembourg: 1 (F91 Dudelange)
Norway: 1 (Rosenborg)
Romania: 1 (Cluj)
Serbia: 1 (Partizan)
Slovakia: 1 (Slovan Bratislava)
Sweden: 1 (Malmo)
Many fans use the number of teams that make it to the group stage of European competitions as well
as how many advance to subsequent stages as a metric of how strong these leagues are. And while
you’d be right in assuming the English Premier League is higher quality than the Ukranian League,
for example, it’s not an exact science in every scenario. Nevertheless, as much as every league has
their rivals and there’s no love lost between fans of Benfica and Porto, the better clubs from a particular
league do, the higher their UEFA coefficient goes up. This is important for allocating European spots
and seedings in future European campaigns.
My early pick to win the Europa League is Arsenal. As of now, chemistry, form, and talent wise they seem
more of a threat than the likes of Sevilla, Roma, Lazio, Wolfsburg, Monchengladbach, and Manchester
United. This could be the year they put it all together and end their European title drought. However, eight
teams from the Champions League join the Europa League at the Round of 32. One such Champions
League group guarantees Barcelona, Dortmund, or Internazionale enter the competition unless one of
them somehow finish bottom behind Slavia Prague. For whichever of those trio that becomes the case,
they become the new favorite. It's a long road from now to European glory, even in this competition.
as how many advance to subsequent stages as a metric of how strong these leagues are. And while
you’d be right in assuming the English Premier League is higher quality than the Ukranian League,
for example, it’s not an exact science in every scenario. Nevertheless, as much as every league has
their rivals and there’s no love lost between fans of Benfica and Porto, the better clubs from a particular
league do, the higher their UEFA coefficient goes up. This is important for allocating European spots
and seedings in future European campaigns.
My early pick to win the Europa League is Arsenal. As of now, chemistry, form, and talent wise they seem
more of a threat than the likes of Sevilla, Roma, Lazio, Wolfsburg, Monchengladbach, and Manchester
United. This could be the year they put it all together and end their European title drought. However, eight
teams from the Champions League join the Europa League at the Round of 32. One such Champions
League group guarantees Barcelona, Dortmund, or Internazionale enter the competition unless one of
them somehow finish bottom behind Slavia Prague. For whichever of those trio that becomes the case,
they become the new favorite. It's a long road from now to European glory, even in this competition.
There you go, all you need to know ahead of this season’s UEFA Europa League. May your Thursdays,
despite the rigors of school or work, be enjoyable! Matches will be televised via TNT,
Univision (Spanish), and Bleacher Report Live.
despite the rigors of school or work, be enjoyable! Matches will be televised via TNT,
Univision (Spanish), and Bleacher Report Live.
