Europa League

[Jaan Kenbrovin]

Despite our recent experience and ECL trophy win, we are outsiders at 33/1. Which could be decent if we actually make a few quality signings. Liverpool 9/4 Roma 9/1 Villarreal 10/1 Betis 14/1 Atalanta 14/1 Freiburg 18/1 Leverkusen 18/1 Brighton 20/1 Sporting 25/1 Rennes 25/1 Group A: West Ham, Olympiacos, Freiburg, TSC Backa Topola Group B: Ajax, Marseille, Brighton, AEK Athens Group C: Rangers, Real Betis, Sparta Prague, Aris Limassol Group D: Atalanta, Sporting, Sturm Graz, Rakow Czestochowa Group E: Liverpool, LASK, Union SG, Toulouse Group F: Villarreal, Rennes, Maccabi Haifa, Panathinaikos Group G: Roma, Slavia Prague, Sheriff Tiraspol, Servette Group H: Leverkusen, Qarabag, Molde, Hacken 21/09 Topola (H) 05/10 Freiburg (A) (Fans Banned) 26/10 Olympiacos (A) 09/11 Olympiacos (H) 30/11 Topola (A) 14/12 Freiburg (H)

[fraser]

Westside - I think you're trying to say we're a bit shit, I concur

[fraser]

Westside - I think you're trying to say we're a bit shit, I concur

[Westside]

The biggest difference in this year's Europa League as compared to 2021/22, for me at least, is the English teams. Another important difference, is when we qualified for last year's Europa we had finished 6th. This year we finished 14th I can't imagine many other teams, have qualified for this season's Europa, by finishing that low in their leagues, even those that have won domestic cups to qualify,.

[ironsofcanada]

Fifth From the teams that started in the wins against Sevilla, and Lyon, we have lost Rice, Lanzini and Dawson. Our fullbacks in one game were Cresswell and Johnson. I think going from the end of last year and this transfer market, if we get the signings we want, we are an overall better team. Potentially at least. I don't buy everything is doom and gloom at the club, people are coming. And other aspects can improve. But then I am always an optimist.

[ironsofcanada]

Mike Oxsaw 4:14 Fri Aug 18 Cheers. Well west of us at the moment. Just lovely smoke in the air. We have a wedding near where a fire is next weekend but that's not close to important.

[Fifth Column]

Irons I think the one drawback to your analysis is we are heading down (in terms of overall performance) rather than getting better so not significantly different from those others who are not improving/an improvement on their previous country's representatives in the tournament.

[Mike Oxsaw]

ironsofcanada 3:09 Fri Aug 18 Completely off tac but I hope that you & yours are safe from the fires out there we are reading about in the news.

[ironsofcanada]

The biggest difference in this year's Europa League as compared to 2021/22, for me at least, is the English teams. There are 2 instead of 1 and neither are a declining Leicester. That said they aren't our problem for until after Christmas. And the other teams in 2021/2022 were not that different as compared to this year. (And we are seeded better) Similar Spanish sides, Betis in both years. Napoli was on its way up along with Lazio. I would say the French side were better that year, Lyon, Marseille and Monaco. Not sure Toulouse is going to do much this year and Rennes might be a one season wonder. Germans are Leverkusen again and Freiburg who I cant see being as good as Frankfurt were. Sporting this year are better than Braga then probably. Dropping down were the likes of Leipzig, Porto, Dortumund, Sevilla, and Barcelona. We had some favourable draws but we also beat some good teams in the knockouts. There will be usual calibre of teams in the groups. Let's win and go from there.

[Fifth Column]

I don't share the belief that Brighton will struggle this year. They've got a shedload of money and I have a lot more faith in them to buy well than I do with West Ham. They have a clear effective and attractive playing style and a good manager. They may not do quite as well in the League but I think 20s on them to win this is phenomenally good value. I love the Euro games and to keep them going I'd not be upset going into ECL and potentially winning it again. I cannot see us winning this with Moyes in charge but perhaps I'm wrong.

[Westside]

granted we have the CL flops to drop down in R16 And there is the "preliminary knockout" round where the 8 Champions League flops, play the 8 Europa league group runners up, before the last 16. Which may thin out the Champions' league teams a bit. We avoided that stage last year.

[Sydney_Iron]

*Winning 14 and drawing 1 even!!!!

[Sydney_Iron]

Find us being 33/1 a bit bizarre TBH, just won a European Trophy and the season before made the semifinal of this comp in a season that was arguably harder? Reading that list of clubs, only Liverpool would be considered a big ask IMO, Betis, Atalanta, Freiburg etc, seriously would we just be fodder to such teams? I know we have Moyes but add in the fact we were unbeaten in Europe last season and won 13 and drew 1, yes it maybe the lower comp we won but we still had to go away to some far-flung grounds and get results, then back up in the PL only to do it again the next Thursday. FWIW i think we will do well in this comp, another semi or even winning it is well within our capability's and hopefully someone upsets Liverpool as they are the only big threat as far as i can see, granted we have the CL flops to drop down in R16

[Russ of the BML]

Some top sides in it this year. Surprised Brighton are 20's. They are above sides that regularly play in Europe. I have a feeling they may blow up this year and find it a grind.

[Manuel]

Norf - First away game I believe, so you will be OK.

[Norflundon]

Did we get a one match home or away ban?

[Norflundon]

I hope we get an away game on the 26/10 means I can take the boy as it’s in the holidays

[Sydney_Iron]

Im in the UK next May, very tempted to book a return flight to Dublin when they become available, fly in early afternoon of the 22nd, fly out early morning on 23rd, no luggage won't bother with a hotel and the cost of the flight is peanuts, about 30 Quid return with Ryan air from Bristol. If we dont make the final will still be great experience with the fans in the city center/fan zone or even if im lucky enough to get tickets. Be fucked for a few days afterwards but hopefully worth it and we lift a trophy 2 seasons in a row.

[joyo]

Spot on Swiss about Brighton I think we will have a good campaign,possibly semis again

[Swiss.]

Brighton are now withouit MacAllister and Caicedo and won't be used to playing thurs in EL and then PL on sundays. We can only hope that Liverpool are doing well on the PL so they don';t take this as a route to next year's CL.

[isca hammer]

When are the 2023/24 Europa League qualifiers? Third qualifying round: 10 and 17 August 2023 Play-offs: 24 and 31 August 2023 When are the 2023/24 Europa League group stage matches? Matchday 1: 21 September 2023 Matchday 2: 5 October 2023 Matchday 3: 26 October 2023 Matchday 4: 9 November 2023 Matchday 5: 30 November 2023 Matchday 6: 14 December 2023 When is the 2023/24 Europa League knockout stage? Knockout round play-offs: 15 and 22 February 2024 Round of 16: 7 and 14 March 2024 Quarter-finals: 11 and 18 April 2024 Semi-finals: 2 and 9 May 2024 Final: 22 May 2024 When are the 2023/24 Europa League draws? Third qualifying round: 24 July 2023 Play-off round: 7 August 2023 Group stage: 1 September 2023 Knockout round play-off: 18 December 2023 Round of 16: 23 February 2024 Quarter-finals & Semi-finals: 15 March 2024

[SullyHammer]

When do the group stages start, not seen any dates as yet?

[Manuel]

davey - We won't get out of the group ''under Moyes'' (yawn) but the marvelous Brighton will reach the final. Yea OK, mate, whatever you say.

[Manuel]

davey - We won't get out of the group ''under Moyes'' (yawn) but the marvelous Brighton will reach the final. Yea OK, mate, whatever you say.

[Swiss.]

Aim for third and drop into the ECL. Win that again. C&P the above for the next 5 years or until some serious investment, new owners, new manager etc.

[RM10]

Might get more decent away allocations than last season