Only the Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen (Leader of the Bundesliga) and the Atalanta They have a secure pass to the next round of the Europa League when the penultimate day of the group stage of the said competition arrives this Thursday. It should be noted that the first in each group will play in the round of 16 and the second in the round of 32, which is a playoff against the third in the Champions League.
But there are 15 teams that could enter this Thursday: Betis, Villarreal, Liverpool (whose coach, Jurgen Klopp, confirmed this Wednesday the injuries of Alisson Becker and Diogo Jota; the ‘reds’ host LASK Linz), Brighton, West Ham, Rome, Freiburg, Marseille, Sporting de Portugal, Molde, Qaraba, Rangers, Rennes, Slavia Prague and Toulouse.
And 13 can also be eliminated this Thursday: Ajax (visit to Marseilles), AEK, Aris Limassol, Maccabi Haifa, Molde, Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, Qarabağ, Servette, Sparta Prague, Sturm Graz and Union SG. The ‘Ajacied’ team, last in group B, to keep their chances will have to beat Marseille and, even if they lose, if AEK beat Brighton, they will surely finish 4th. The group marches like this: 1. Marseille, 8 points; 2. Brighton, 7; 3. AEK Athens, 4; 4. Ajax, 2.
Europa League group stage
(5th day)
Group A
Freiburg (Ale)-Olympiacos (Gre) 18.45
Backa Topola (Ser)-West Ham (Eng) 18.45
Group B
AEK Athens (Gre)-Brighton (Eng) 18.45
Marseille (Fra)-Ajax (PB) 21.00
Group C
Sparta Prague (Rch)-Betis (Esp) 18.45
Rangers (Esc)-Aris Limassol (Chi) 21.00
Group D
Atalanta (Ita)-Sporting (Por) 18.45
Sturm Graz (Aus)-Rakow (Pol) 18.45
Group E
Liverpool (Eng)-LASK Linz (Aus) 21.00 Toulouse (Fra)-Union St. Gillois (Bel) 21.00
Group F
Maccabi Haifa (Isr)-Rennes (Fra) 18.45
Villarreal (Esp)-Panathinaikos (Gree) 21.00
Group G
Servette (Sui)-Rome (Ita) 21.00
Sheriff (Mol)-Slavia Prague (Rch) 21.00
Group H
Molde (Nor)-Qarabag (Aze) 21.00
Hacken (Sue)-Bayer Leverkusen (Ale) 21.00
As for the two Spanish representatives, the Legs will be confirmed in the top two (and therefore qualify) if he avoids defeat against Prague Sparta in group C. And they can secure a spot in the round of 16 as first in the group if they win and Rangers don’t beat Aris Limassol. To reach the next round, the Villarreal must win at Panathinaikos and Maccabi Haifa did not beat Rennes in F.
He Liverpool, one of the big favourites, will qualify if they avoid defeat this Thursday in group E against LASK or if he Union SG not defeating Toulouse. The ‘reds’ will secure the round of 16 (finishing first in the group) if they win and Toulouse don’t.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
