The UEFA Europa League for the 2024-2025 season is set, featuring an expanded league
phase with 36 teams competing under a new “Swiss model” format. Each team will play eigh
matches against different opponents (four home, four away). The top eight teams will qualify
directly for the Round of 16, while teams ranked 9th to 24th will enter a playoff round. Teams
placed 25th to 36th will be eliminated from European competition.
Full League Phase Draw Results.
Pot 1 Teams and Opponents:
- Roma
o Home: Braga, Union SG, Dynamo Kyiv, Elfsborg
o Away: Tottenham, Ferencváros, AZ Alkmaar, Athletic Club - Manchester United
o Home: Rangers, Panathinaikos, Viktoria Plzeň, FC Twente
o Away: Porto, Fenerbahçe, Bodø/Glimt, FCSB - Porto
o Home: Manchester United, Olympiacos, Midtjylland, Anderlecht
o Away: Lazio, Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Bodø/Glimt, Hoffenheim - Ajax
o Home: Slavia Prague, Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Galatasaray, Besiktas
o Away: Lazio, Real Sociedad, Qarabağ, RFS - Rangers
o Home: Lyon, Olympiacos, Malmö, Nice
o Away: Manchester United, Tottenham, FCSB, Union SG - Eintracht Frankfurt
o Home: Slavia Prague, Ferencváros, Viktoria Plzeň, RFS
o Away: Roma, Lyon, Midtjylland, Besiktas - Lazio
o Home: Porto, AZ Alkmaar, Ludogorets, Nice
o Away: Ajax, Real Sociedad, Dnipro-1, Twente - Tottenham Hotspur
o Home: Roma, AZ Alkmaar, Qarabağ, Hoffenheim
o Away: Rangers, Ferencváros, Elfsborg, Galatasaray
Other Notable Teams:
Fenerbahçe: Strong home games against Manchester United, with away trips to
Slavia Prague and Midtjylland.
Lyon: Faces tough opponents in Rangers and Eintracht Frankfurt but has a relatively
favorable draw for home matches.
Real Sociedad: Solid fixtures against Ajax and Lazio, with an opportunity to secure
key points in home games.
Galatasaray: Competitive group stage with challenging matches against Tottenham
and Ajax but a chance to advance if they capitalize on home form.
Potential Teams to Advance
Based on the current draw, here are the teams most likely to progress to the knockout stages:
- Favorites to Qualify:
o Manchester United: Despite a tough away schedule, their squad depth and
recent European performances make them strong candidates to finish in the top
eight.
o Roma: Consistently strong in European competitions, Roma should navigate
their fixtures with ease, especially if they maintain their home form.
o Tottenham Hotspur: A balanced draw, with challenging but winnable
matches. If they can perform consistently, Spurs are well-positioned to
advance.
o Ajax: Historically strong in European play, Ajax has a favorable draw and
should secure a top-eight finish.
o Porto: Strong at home and competitive away fixtures make Porto a favorite to
qualify directly. - Potential Dark Horses:
o Union Saint-Gilloise: Could surprise if they leverage their home fixtures
effectively against teams like Braga and Elfsborg.
o AZ Alkmaar: Known for performing well in Europe, they could upset bigger
names like Lazio or Tottenham if they maintain consistency.
o Slavia Prague and Eintracht Frankfurt: Both teams have challenging
fixtures but have the potential to capitalize on any mistakes by the higher-
seeded teams. - Teams at Risk:
o Teams like Ludogorets, Malmö, and RFS may struggle to compete against
the more experienced sides, making them less likely to advance.
Conclusion for Sports Bettors
Strong Contenders: Back Manchester United, Roma, Ajax, and Porto to qualify, as
these teams have favorable draws and consistent European performances.
Bet on Home Strength: Teams like Slavia Prague, AZ Alkmaar, and Eintracht
Frankfurt often perform better at home, presenting good opportunities for individual
match bets.
Value Bets: Look at underdogs like Union SG and Bodo/Glimt, who have the
potential to surprise stronger teams, especially in home matches.
Avoid Risk on Bottom Teams: Teams with limited European experience or tough
schedules, such as Malmö and RFS, are risky bets to progress.
Competition Start Date:
The UEFA Europa League 2024/25 league phase begins on September 19, 2024(Sporting News). Make sure to stay updated with team forms, injuries, and other developments to maximize betting outcomes.
