UEFA Europa League 2026/27 Season

[redhack]

Welcome to the non-self-moderated and non-sponsorship UEFA Europa League 2026/27 Season discussion thread.
Feel free to share your thoughts, predictions and bets on this thread.

• UEFA Europa League is the second cup of Europe.
• Aston Villa is the last winner of this cup.
• The most successful club is Sevilla with 7 titles.
• Final Venue: Waldstadion (Frankfurt Stadium)

Contestants:
Crystal Palace
Bournemouth
Sunderland
AC Milan
Juventus
Real Sociedad
Celta Vigo
TSG Hoffenheim
Bayer Leverkusen
Marseille
Rennes
AZ Alkmaar
Torreense
...

There will be 36 teams in league phase.



Previous season threads:
UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Season
UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Season
UEFA Europa League 2023/24 Season.

[dzonikg28]

There are again quite a few big names among the contestants.

AC Milan and Juventus Turin are probably the favorites from the very first round.

The most successful club is Sevilla with 7 titles.

Yes good reminder, Sevilla had a crazy run a while ago. They won it 2014, 2015 and 2016 and for a club like Sevilla back then, it is similar to Real Madrid winning the Champions League back to back to back. 

[blomen]

for years, the europa league has been a home for teams that couldn’t qualify for the champions league. if you finished third in your group or had a rough start to the season, this was where you ended up. now that relegation from the champions league to the europa league has been eliminated and the number of teams in the champions league has increased, we’re seeing fewer global teams here. but it’s still a great competition to watch because it offers such a wide variety of matches.

out of the teams i see here right now, i think my favorite would be juventus. i’m voting for them.

[CLS63]

Currently we are in the qualification stage. Beşiktaş played against Midtjylland today. They captured a big opportunity when their opponent got a red card very early in the match.

However Beşiktaş were still able to win by only 1-0 despite having 28 shots and at least an expectation of 3 goals statistically. The opponent is a really tough one as a reminder so their job will be really difficult away in the rematch.

[ingiltere]

I think we played well, but we fell short in the area where we always struggle, finishing. Orkun scored another excellent goal outside the box. If Olaitan had scored that goal, the score would've been much more comfortable and we might have scored more goals. But with the score stuck at 1-0, Midtjylland's defense became much more resilient. They played with 10 men for a long time and defended well.

This is a good result, but it's definitely not enough. The second leg will be tough. I liked Italiano's style of play. He uses his full backs effectively. Murillo made several runs into the penalty area looking for a goal. I think Rıdvan was underwhelming, Ouattara will likely take his spot soon. Nübel played well. Beşiktaş look promising this season.

[karabiber]

I think we played well, but we fell short in the area where we always struggle, finishing. Orkun scored another excellent goal outside the box. If Olaitan had scored that goal, the score would've been much more comfortable and we might have scored more goals. But with the score stuck at 1-0, Midtjylland's defense became much more resilient. They played with 10 men for a long time and defended well.

This is a good result, but it's definitely not enough. The second leg will be tough. I liked Italiano's style of play. He uses his full backs effectively. Murillo made several runs into the penalty area looking for a goal. I think Rıdvan was underwhelming, Ouattara will likely take his spot soon. Nübel played well. Beşiktaş look promising this season.

Beşiktaş has signaled that it’s going to have a great season. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Beşiktaş play so cohesively in its first official match. They’ll only get better with their new signings. Most importantly, Vincenzo Italiano is a head coach who perfectly aligns with Beşiktaş’s philosophy. As for the match itself, Beşiktaş played nearly flawlessly tactically, but their quality wasn’t quite enough to score the second and third goals. Of course, they’re still very early in the season, but I really liked their tactics. I hope they advance through the qualifiers. Beşiktaş comfortably navigated a tough match with a high risk of defeat, aided by the red card. If they’d scored at least one more goal, the second leg would have been much easier.

[Alphakilo]

for years, the europa league has been a home for teams that couldn’t qualify for the champions league. if you finished third in your group or had a rough start to the season, this was where you ended up. now that relegation from the champions league to the europa league has been eliminated and the number of teams in the champions league has increased, we’re seeing fewer global teams here. but it’s still a great competition to watch because it offers such a wide variety of matches.

out of the teams i see here right now, i think my favorite would be juventus. i’m voting for them.

In all honesty, am expecting Bayern Leverkusen and TSG Hoffenheim to be stronger since they are German teams and the tournament matches is mostly going to be in from of home crowd at Stadion Frankfurt.

Am hoping dark horses teams like Marseille, Rennes, AZ Aikmaar and Celta Vigo to cause some chaos and upset to their opponents but sincerely I don't know who goes home with the trophy if you ask me, still, my predictions would favor any of the German teams represented.

[nelson4lov]

If Andoni was still at Bournemouth, I would've expected them to be a real contender for the Europa league title next season. However, he has moved away from Bournemouth and joined Liverpool so there's no telling how Bournemouth will perform this year. As far Palace, their coach also left ao it's hard to say if they will be one of the strongest contenders but they're favorites based off of last year's performance.

[emrecemsan]

Beşiktaş really missed a big chance to get a comfortable victory. All those attempts against Midtjylland but only a 1-0 win at the end. I hope they at least keep this dedication away too in the 2nd leg to finish the job.

If Andoni was still at Bournemouth, I would've expected them to be a real contender for the Europa league title next season. However, he has moved away from Bournemouth and joined Liverpool so there's no telling how Bournemouth will perform this year. As far Palace, their coach also left ao it's hard to say if they will be one of the strongest contenders but they're favorites based off of last year's performance.

I agree with that. If Iraola was still managing Bournemouth now then I'd also have really big expectations from Bournemouth in the EL.

I mean Marco Rose doesn't look like a bad manager. He had some trophies with Leipzig and Salzburg but I don't know how the adaptation process would go for him out of Germany. 

[blue Snow]

The most successful club is Sevilla with 7 titles.

Yes good reminder, Sevilla had a crazy run a while ago. They won it 2014, 2015 and 2016 and for a club like Sevilla back then, it is similar to Real Madrid winning the Champions League back to back to back. 

But unfortunately, Sevilla has had a run of bad luck over the past few seasons. In fact, last season Sevilla nearly faced relegation. As the “King of the Europa League,” I really want to see Sevilla back in this tournament. It’s really not good, is it, for the team with the most Europa League titles to be absent from European competition for so long.

[ingiltere]

The odds for the Europa League second qualifying round 2nd leg matches have been announced.

Midtjylland are listed as the favorite. They will play at home in a match they have to win. So it's only natural they are the favorites. But looking at the odds, I'm a little concerned.
İddaa have set the odds at 1.64 for Midtjylland win, 3.27 for a draw, 3.45 for Beşiktaş win.
Sure we didn't score many goals in the first match, but we played quite well and managed to create chances. I think Beşiktaş can get through the second leg without losing. I don't understand why they've made it seem so risky. I hope we don't end up with a bad result. After the advantage of the first match, I hope Beşiktaş put on a good performance there too and advance to the next round.

[blomen]

The odds for the Europa League second qualifying round 2nd leg matches have been announced.

Midtjylland are listed as the favorite. They will play at home in a match they have to win. So it's only natural they are the favorites. But looking at the odds, I'm a little concerned.
İddaa have set the odds at 1.64 for Midtjylland win, 3.27 for a draw, 3.45 for Beşiktaş win.
Sure we didn't score many goals in the first match, but we played quite well and managed to create chances. I think Beşiktaş can get through the second leg without losing. I don't understand why they've made it seem so risky. I hope we don't end up with a bad result. After the advantage of the first match, I hope Beşiktaş put on a good performance there too and advance to the next round.

what surprised me a bit more were the over/under bets for this match. even though there was only one goal in the previous match, bettors must be expecting a lot of goals in this match since even the under 2.5 goals bet has good odds. do you think there will be that many goals in this match?

also, i don’t think it’s all that unlikely that orkun kökçü, who scored the only goal in the previous match, will score again. i think the odds could change as the match gets closer.

[TastyChillySauce00]

If Andoni was still at Bournemouth, I would've expected them to be a real contender for the Europa league title next season. However, he has moved away from Bournemouth and joined Liverpool so there's no telling how Bournemouth will perform this year. As far Palace, their coach also left ao it's hard to say if they will be one of the strongest contenders but they're favorites based off of last year's performance.

That makes sense. Bournemouth and Palace might be the favourites if they still have their former of coaches. However, we still have Sunderland who potentially to be the contender to chase the title. Beside that i aware there are still Milan and Juve but serie a clubs are terrible these days.
I'd rather put Sunderland as my top contender to win UEL rather than serie a clubs.

So far no promising club to be favored as a winner other than the clubs above. It sounds like the current season may not be as competitive as last season.

[Frankolala]

If Andoni was still at Bournemouth, I would've expected them to be a real contender for the Europa league title next season. However, he has moved away from Bournemouth and joined Liverpool so there's no telling how Bournemouth will perform this year. As far Palace, their coach also left ao it's hard to say if they will be one of the strongest contenders but they're favorites based off of last year's performance.

That makes sense. Bournemouth and Palace might be the favourites if they still have their former of coaches. However, we still have Sunderland who potentially to be the contender to chase the title. Beside that i aware there are still Milan and Juve but serie a clubs are terrible these days.
I'd rather put Sunderland as my top contender to win UEL rather than serie a clubs.

So far no promising club to be favored as a winner other than the clubs above. It sounds like the current season may not be as competitive as last season.

If Milan amd Juventus are in this competition, I wouldn't choose Sunderland or any of the EPL teams to be the favorite because Juventus and Milan are bigger than this competition. It's just that their performance wasn't impressive last season which made them fall out from the top four spot after the last match to end the season.

[Ruttoshi]

But unfortunately, Sevilla has had a run of bad luck over the past few seasons. In fact, last season Sevilla nearly faced relegation. As the “King of the Europa League,” I really want to see Sevilla back in this tournament. It’s really not good, is it, for the team with the most Europa League titles to be absent from European competition for so long.

It's clear that Sevilla have declined in form a lot due to poor management and poor coaching system. I could remember a few seasons back when Sevilla will use the Europa league to qualify for the Champions League.

I am not expecting any magic from Sevilla if they don't improve the team performance and make it solid in order for them to be able to meet up with the challenges in Laliga before they can finish on top six.

[TastyChillySauce00]

If Milan amd Juventus are in this competition, I wouldn't choose Sunderland or any of the EPL teams to be the favorite because Juventus and Milan are bigger than this competition. It's just that their performance wasn't impressive last season which made them fall out from the top four spot after the last match to end the season.

Calling Milan and Juventus are bigger than this competition while both of clubs never ever win this competitions during 2000s. I respect your optimism but i have seen those italian clubs played in this competition so many times, yet they never won this. It's my reason not to put those clubs as non favorites in UEL.
the big name doesn't guarantee the success.

[Sandra_hakeem]

But unfortunately, Sevilla has had a run of bad luck over the past few seasons. In fact, last season Sevilla nearly faced relegation. As the “King of the Europa League,” I really want to see Sevilla back in this tournament. It’s really not good, is it, for the team with the most Europa League titles to be absent from European competition for so long.

It's clear that Sevilla have declined in form a lot due to poor management and poor coaching system. I could remember a few seasons back when Sevilla will use the Europa league to qualify for the Champions League.

It's one thing to qualify for the champions League, but another thing to stay in the game even after the group stages. We all know how tough the league was in the last meeting right? with rumors circulating, and the due transfer for different clubs, it's obvious that any team without a proper game plan may not even survive their first game, let alone secure a spot for the next phase.

They use to dominate the Europa League because they didn't have to face tough opponents, but it seems like nobody wants to leave anything behind. Aston Villa are also watching closely for whoever wants to challenge.

[ILuckyGuyI]

Calling Milan and Juventus are bigger than this competition while both of clubs never ever win this competitions during 2000s. I respect your optimism but i have seen those italian clubs played in this competition so many times, yet they never won this. It's my reason not to put those clubs as non favorites in UEL.
the big name doesn't guarantee the success.

I also don't see it that easy. If it was the Conference League then I'd give Milan and Juventus much more chance for the title. But in the Europa League, I'm not very positive.  

In the last 10 years there was only one Italian club that was able to win the EL - Atalanta. PL clubs are really deadly. Spanish clubs are also stronger than Italian ones now.

So let's see how it goes...

[Callido]

If Milan amd Juventus are in this competition, I wouldn't choose Sunderland or any of the EPL teams to be the favorite because Juventus and Milan are bigger than this competition. It's just that their performance wasn't impressive last season which made them fall out from the top four spot after the last match to end the season.

For the Premier League teams, Sunderland are not my first pick, Crystal Palace should be more feared when it comes to winning the Europa League, the same way they won the UEFA Conference League. Palace are ready to lose a good finish in the Premier League but take adequate measures to win the Europa League.

We may get the biggest shock, the underdogs might win the Europa League, Bayer Leverkusen are not to be underrated.

[BIT-BENDER]

If Milan amd Juventus are in this competition, I wouldn't choose Sunderland or any of the EPL teams to be the favorite because Juventus and Milan are bigger than this competition. It's just that their performance wasn't impressive last season which made them fall out from the top four spot after the last match to end the season.

For the Premier League teams, Sunderland are not my first pick, Crystal Palace should be more feared when it comes to winning the Europa League, the same way they won the UEFA Conference League. Palace are ready to lose a good finish in the Premier League but take adequate measures to win the Europa League.

We may get the biggest shock, the underdogs might win the Europa League, Bayer Leverkusen are not to be underrated.

Last season is gone this is a very fresh new season, and if there is something you shouldn't do it would be not to underate Sunderland. Sunderland came from the championships last season to the English premier League and never felt like they are underdogs, they fought every week like they have never been relegated before.

Crystal Palace may have won the UEFA conference league but they is a gulf in class between the conference league and the Europa League, with how the teams are built and that this is a new Crystal Palace under a new coach I will say Sunderland are going to do better than them.