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 pass through the qualifying sieve 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», TSC;

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

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

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

   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», «Moldes», «Häcken».

The status of the current Europa League is elevated 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, two rounds are planned for October and November.

The minimum task for all ambitious participants is to finish in the first or second places, which guarantees participation in the Europa League playoffs.

The third final position is a chance to prove oneself in the knockout games of the Conference League. 

The fourth place 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, the quarter-finals for April, and the 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.

At the moment, the Top 3 contenders look 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 overvalued, while «Roma» and «Ajax» are undervalued.

It should also be noted that in winter, third 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, we will assess the chances of the main and hidden favorites.

Liverpool

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

At least until the beginning 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 rejuvenated the squad and selectively strengthened the roster.

Veterans – James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, and Jordan Henderson have left to wrap up their careers with teams from different countries and even continents.

In their place, accomplished British sportsmen have been replaced by Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, and Ryan Gravenberch. 

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

We assume that games in the Europa League may hinder the achievement of high goals. The English can easily advance from the group, and then will act according to the situation, possibly sacrificing hypothetical success on the continental stage.

Hidden Favorite

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

«The Pharmacists» were eliminated 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. 

During 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» make a favorable impression with their play in the Bundesliga and may throw down the gauntlet to «Bayern» itself.

Potential medals in the German championship will not be hindered by the Europa League cup.

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