The final part of our three-part series this week reviewing the main draws for the three UEFA competitions this season focuses on the Europa Conference League.
This new competition has actually proven to be a huge success. Not only has it given some of the lesser lights in Europe a chance to shine in a big competition, but it has also improved the quality of the Europa League markedly too.
The fact it now mirrors the format of the Europa League and closely that of the Champions League also helps keep the fixtures tidy as we progress through the season.
Last season, West Ham defeated Fiorentina in the final to claim their first European trophy for many years and this year, it is Aston Villa who will represent England in the Europa Conference League, with West Ham earning a spot in the Europa League by virtue of their victory.
Bet365 Sport is already offering odds on all the 32 teams in the Group Stage to win the Conference League and we have previewed these odds as well as each of the groups below.
Fixtures
20th September
21st September
5th October
26th October
9th November
30th November
14th December
Latest Odds To Win Conference League
Group Preview And Tips
Lille should win Group A comfortably as they are the class outfit here and Slovan Bratislava will likely finish second.
Fixtures
21st September
5th October
26th October
9th November
30th November
14th December
Latest Odds To Win Conference League
Group Preview And Tips
An interesting group. Gent should win the group, but each of their opponents will offer a challenge away from home. Who finishes second is more of a question and I think it could be the Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv that make it through.
Fixtures
21st September
5th October
26th October
9th November
30th November
14th December
Latest Odds To Win Conference League
Group Preview And Tips
Astana is a tricky place to visit for any European team but I think both Zagreb and Plzen will have more than enough quality to qualify from this Conference League group, probably with the Czech outfit Viktoria Plzen finishing in top spot. Zagreb should join them in the Conference League knockout phase.
Fixtures
21st September
5th October
26th October
9th November
30th November
14th December
Latest Odds To Win Conference League
Group Preview And Tips
Besiktas and Club Brugge stand out in Group D as the teams most likely to qualify for the Conference League knockout phase, but you can’t rule out Bodo Glimt. The Norwegian side have upset some big teams in past years and could provide a shock here if either Besiktas or Brugge slip up. That said, I don’t think either will and both should reach the Conference League knockout stage.
Fixtures
21st September
5th October
26th October
9th November
30th November
14th December
Latest Odds To Win Conference League
Group Preview And Tips
There is a lot more quality in Group E than previous Conference League groups with AZ Alkmaar and Aston Villa being the dominant forces. That said Zrinjski will be a tough away game in Serbia for all teams in this group and Legia Warzaw are no pushovers either. It won’t be straightforward but I think AZ and Villa do make it through to the Conference League knockout phase.
Fixtures
21st September
5th October
26th October
9th November
30th November
14th December
Latest Odds To Win Conference League
Group Preview And Tips
Group F in the Conference League should be won by Fiorentina, last year’s losing finalists in this competition. Genk should also be strong showers in this group but Ferencvaros have looked dangerous in Europe the last few years and I think the Hungarians could surprise the Belgian side here and finish second behind Fiorentina.
Fixtures
21st September
5th October
26th October
9th November
30th November
14th December
Latest Odds To Win Conference League
Group Preview And Tips
Eintracht Frankfurt will win this Conference League group, I have no doubts about that and they may win all six games. The question for me is who finishes second. Aberdeen are probably the better of the other two teams, but it is a coin toss between all three. Despite this, I am going for Aberdeen to surprise everyone and claim the second spot in the group.
Fixtures
21st September
5th October
26th October
9th November
30th November
14th December
Latest Odds To Win Conference League
Group Preview And Tips
Not the most appealing of groups in terms of big names but Turkish side Fenerbahce should win this Conference League group, and Ludogorets should finish second. Nordsjaelland may push them both hard here, but I stil expect the two favourites to progress.
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