It may not start until next week, but with so much top quality sport coming up, we’ve decided to post our preview of the Europa League 2019/20 this week, so we can focus next week on the start of the Champions League, which is the more prestigious of the two tournaments.
However, this year’s Europa League competition comprises of many teams that are usually in the Champions League and who would not look out of place competing in it. Furthermore, with eight teams from the Champions League joining the 24 qualifiers from the League Stage in the Europa League knockout phase after Christmas, it is always a very tough competition to win and perhaps deserves a little more kudos than the competition receives.
We’re going to quickly preview all the 12 groups from the group stage of the competition and give you our tips on who we think will qualify from each below.
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Let’s now take a look at each of the 12 groups and who we think the two teams qualifying from each will be:
*Odds shown are to qualify from the Group and were correct with bet365 Sport at 10.50am on Tuesday 10th September.
Group A
- Sevilla – 1/7
- APOEL Nicosia – 8/1
- FK Qarabag – 10/1
- F91 Dudelange – 25/1
The first group drawn is arguably the easiest of all of the groups in this stage of the tournament. Sevilla should qualify easily from this section and I’d be surprised if they don’t win all six games. Who comes second is more of an issue as I think Qarabag may just have the edge in terms of experience, but it could be very close between the other three teams. Tip – Winner – Sevilla, Runner Up – Qarabag.
Group B
- Dynamo Kyiv – Evens
- FC Copenhagen – 2/1
- Malmo FF – 9/2
- FC Lugano – 9/1
If Group A is very one-sided, Group B is the exact opposite with four teams that will all feel they stand a good chance of progressing. Copenhagen and Kiev have the edge in experience but I think Malmo are not to be underestimated and they will be pushing hard to claim a qualifying spot, although ultimately I feel they will just miss out. Tip – Winner – FC Copenhagen, Runner Up – Dynamo Kyiv.
Group C
- Getafe – 2/1
- FC Basel – 9/4
- Krasnodar – 5/2
- Trabzonspor – 9/2
Daniel Sturridge’s Trabzonspor have been drawn into a very tough group in Group C. Getafe may be the slight favourites here but I think this is a group that has the potential for a couple of real upsets and I am certain that it will go down to the final game in the group to decide both who wins and who finishes second to earn the place in the next round. Tip – Winner – FC Basel, Runner Up -Krasnodar.
Group D
- PSV Eindhoven – 11/10
- Sporting Lisbon – 5/4
- Rosenborg – 13/2
- LASK Linz – 16/1
This group does seem to be split between two teams that should qualify, PSV and Sporting, and two that will hope to but realistically won’t stand much of a chance of the big two play well. I think Rosenborg have the best chance of causing an upset here, but I still feel the top two will be the ones to progress. Tip – Winner – Sporting Lisbon, Runner Up – PSV Eindhoven.
Group E
- Lazio – 8/13
- Celtic – 4/1
- Rennes – 9/2
- CFR Cluj – 15/2
Group E is going to be one of the toughest in the competition with four teams in it that will feel they have a real chance of progressing. Lazio are the best side in the group and should win it, but I can’t see them having things their own way especially away from home. Second place is definitely up for grabs here and I think that Rennes, who gave Arsenal a real test last season in this competition, could well nab it. Tip – Winner – Lazio, Runner Up – Rennes.
Group F
- Arsenal – 2/5
- Eintracht Frankfurt – 7/2
- Standard Liege – 12/1
- Vitoria Guimares – 9/1
Arsenal have not been handed an easy draw in Group F. Frankfurt were losing semi-finalists on penalties to Chelsea last season while both Standard Liege and Vitoria Guimares are both difficult sides. This will be a tough group but I do feel that the English and German team will make it through, but not necessarily in that order. Tip – Winner – Eintracht Frankfurt, Runner Up – Arsenal.
Group G
- FC Porto – Evens
- Feyenoord – 10/3
- Rangers – 7/2
- Young Boys – 5/1
This is one of the toughest of all groups and any of the four teams competing will feel they stand a chance of qualifying. Porto and Feyenoord probably start as slight favourites, but Rangers and Young Boys will both be very difficult to beat especially at home. I am sure this group will go to the last game to decide who progresses and for me I just feel FC Porto and Feyenoord will do enough. Tip – Winner – FC Porto, Runner Up – Feyenoord.
Group H
- Espanyol – Evens
- CSKA Moscow – 5/4
- Ludogrets Razgrad – 8/1
- Ferencvaros – 16/1
Group H looks like being one of the more straightforward groups to qualify from as despite Ferencvaros and Ludogorets being tough away trips, I fancy CSKA Moscow and Espanyol to win their home games and as such, they will be strong favourites to progress. It will be the result of the two matches between these two, plus how they do on the road in Razgrad and Hungary that decides the outcome here. Tip – Winner – CSKA Moscow, Runner Up – Espanyol.
Group I
- Vfl Wolfsburg – Evens
- Saint Etienne – 11/8
- Gent – 7/1
- PFC Oleksandria – 14/1
This could be another tough group. I can’t see PFC Oleksandria contending in the group but they may steal a couple of points at home. Gent are a decent team and at home they will be difficult, and it may well be how the top sides do on the road that decides this group. I am not fully convinced by Wolfsburg to win this hence I have picked them as runners up behind the French side. Tips – Winner – Saint Etienne, Runner Up – Vfl Wolfsburg.
Group J
- AS Roma – 4/6
- Borussia Moenchengladbach – 2/1
- Istanbul Besaksehir – 8/1
- Wolfsberger AC – 14/1
Austrian side Wolfsberger are the unknown factor here, but I think you can rule them out of contending in what is a tough group. AS Roma and Borussia Moenchengladbach are two quality sides and Istanbul can be difficult to beat, especially at home. It will be between these three for the top two spots in the table and I think the German side may just squeeze into top spot in the group. Tips – Winner – Borussia Monchengladbach, Runner Up – AS Roma.
Group K
- Wolverhampton Wanderers – 5/4
- Besiktas – 15/8
- Braga – 3/1
- Slovan Bratislava – 14/1
Wolves have already defeated Torino to reach this stage and I think that despite being drawn in a tough group, they will have the quality in order to progress as group winners. It will be close though as I think Besiktas and Braga will also feel they have a real chance. This could go to the final day to decide the top two but for me I just think Wolves and Besiktas extra experience will count. Tips – Winner – Wolves, Runner Up – Besiktas.
Group L
- Manchester United – 1/3
- AZ67 Alkmaar – 4/1
- Partizan Belgrade – 9/1
- FC Astana – 25/1
Although the long trip to Astana will be a drain, Manchester United should come through this group easily. Belgrade away will also be tough, but I’d expect United to win at least four games in this group to progress as winners. It will be a close battle between AZ67 and Partizan for the second spot in the group and although they are ranked as the outsiders, I think Partizan may just surprise a few to qualify behind the Red Devils. – Tips – Winner – Man Utd, Runner Up – Partizan Belgrade.
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