Europa League 2023/24: season preview and long-term bets

On the last day of summer 2023, the names of all 32 participants in the group stage of the Europa League were announced.

London's «West Ham United» did not go through the qualifying rounds and did not shine in the EPL 2022/23. The «Hammers» excelled in the second season of the UEFA Conference League and, in addition to the trophy, earned the right to automatically advance to the main draw of the Europa League 2023/24.

On the first day of autumn, the draw took place, resulting in eight groups:

1. 1. Group A – «West Ham United», «Olympiacos», «Freiburg», TSZ;

   2. Group B – «Ajax», «Marseille», AEK Athens, «Brighton»;

   3. Group C – «Rangers», «Betis», «Sparta» Prague, «Aris» Limassol;

   4. Group D – «Atalanta», «Sporting», «Sturm», «Rakow»;

   5. Group E – «Liverpool», LASK, «Union», «Toulouse»;

   6. Group F – «Villarreal», «Rennes», «Panathinaikos», «Maccabi» Haifa;

   7. Group G – «Roma», «Slavia» Prague, «Sheriff», «Servette»;

   8. Group H – «Bayer», «Karabakh», «Molde», «Häcken».

The prestige of the current Europa League is enhanced by the presence of clubs such as «Liverpool», «Bayer», «Roma», «Sporting», «Ajax», «Marseille», «Atalanta», and «West Ham».  

Group matches will begin on September 21 and conclude on December 14. Thursday is the traditional match day for the Europa League. In addition to one round in September and December, there are two rounds scheduled for October and November.

The minimum objective for all ambitious participants is to finish in the top two places, which guarantees participation in the Europa League knockout stage.

A third-place finish offers a chance to prove oneself in the knockout games of the Conference League. 

A fourth-place finish means saying goodbye to the European season at least until next summer.

The playoff round will take place in the second half of February, the Round of 16 matches are scheduled for March, quarter-finals for April, and semi-finals for the first decade of May.

The finalists of the Europa League 2023/24 will take to the field at the «Aviva» stadium in Dublin on May 24, 2024.

Long-term Bets 

A couple of weeks before the start of the group competitions, the Leon bookmaker offered the opportunity to place long-term bets on the future winner of the Europa League 2023/24.

Currently, the Top 3 contenders are as follows:

1. 1. Liverpool – 2.95.
   2. Brighton – 8.05.
   3. Villarreal and Roma – 11.20.

At first glance, the Spanish «yellow submarine» seems to be greatly overrated, while «Roma» and «Ajax» are underrated.

It should also be noted that in the winter, third-placed teams from the Champions League 2023/24 will join the Europa League, among which could be Borussia Dortmund, «Newcastle United», «Lazio», «Benfica», and «Sevilla».

Next, let's evaluate the chances of the main and hidden favorites.

Liverpool

«Liverpool» is the loudest and most formidable brand in the Europa League 2023/24. Last season in the EPL, Jürgen Klopp's team did not make it into the top four and did not deserve to compete in the Champions League.

At least until the start of winter, the Merseysiders will have to play on Thursdays in the Europa League.

Under the leadership of the English Premier League, the club's management has rejuvenated the squad and made targeted reinforcements.

Veterans – James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, and Jordan Henderson have left to put a period on their careers in teams from different countries and even continents.

In their place have come Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, and Ryan Gravenberch. 

101% – the priority for the «reds» is the fight for the gold of the national championship or finishing no lower than fourth in the EPL.

We assume that games in the Europa League may hinder achieving high goals. The English may advance from the group on class, but will then act according to the situation and may sacrifice hypothetical success on the continental stage.

Hidden Favorite

In autumn 2022, «Bayer» was eliminated from the Champions League, and in spring 2023, they attempted to storm the summit of the Europa League.

«The Pharmacists» fell in the semi-finals and allowed «Roma» to reach the final.

In the upcoming European season, Xabi Alonso's players could go all the way in one tournament. 

In the summer transfer window, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Moussa Diaby, Kerem Demirbay, and Sardar Azmoun left Leverkusen. 

However, thanks to the transfers of Arthur, Jonas Hofmann, Granit Xhaka, and Victor Boniface, the «pharmacists» did not become weaker.

«The Aspirin» are making a favorable impression with their play in the Bundesliga and may throw down the gauntlet to «Bayern».

Potential medals in the German championship will not hinder the Europa League cup.

Keep an eye on the expansion of long-term betting options in the «Europa League» section.