[Previews] Europa League Groups G-L

The Europa League is back in September, and the group stages have given us some great games to look forward. We have many big names involved in the competition, along with some of the smaller European clubs who will be looking to cause an upset in the tournament.

Group G

In Group G Viktoria Plzen and Steaua Bucharest will battle it out for the top spot, and I am going to back Steaua Bucharest to come out on top. They have vast European experience and know what it takes to win in this competition. After the top two, Hapoel Beer Sheva has enough ability to pick up points and come third, which leaves Lugano to come fourth in the group.

Group H

One of the biggest clubs in this year’s tournament is Arsenal, and they play in Group H of the group stages. I expect them to win this group very easily, before challenging to lift the trophy later this season. I think Cologne will have enough to come second place behind Arsenal in the group, with BATE Borisov and Red Star Belgrade battling it out for third and fourth, with BATE Borisov winning that battle.

Group I

Marseille is another big team in the tournament this year, and I think they will win Group I. They have enough quality to beat the teams against them, and I think FC Salzburg will be the team to finish second behind them. Konyaspor and Guimaraes will battle it out for third and fourth, and I think Guimaraes will win that fight, giving them third spot and leaving Konyaspor in fourth.

Group J

We are going to see a great battle in Group J between Athletic Bilbao and Hertha Berlin and I can’t wait to see the games take place between these two. I am going to back Athletic Bilbao to win the group, although this will be very close and Hertha Berlin will finish a close second behind them. I think Zorya will finish a clear third, ahead of Ostersunds FK who will likely struggle in this group and finish bottom.

Group K

Group K will be a battle between Lazio and Nice for the top spot, and this is going to be fun to watch. I am going to support Lazio to win the group, beating Nice in a race for top spot, with Nice finishing second ahead of Vitesse who look sure to finish third in the group. Zulte-Waregem has been handed a very tough draw, and I can see nothing other than them finishing bottom of the group this season.

Group L

The final group has given us another great battle for the top spot; this one is between Zenit St Petersburg and Real Sociedad. These two are very hard to split, although I am going to back Zenit St Petersburg to win the group because they have a safe European home record. Real Sociedad will come second in the group, with Rosenborg finishing a distant third. Rounding off the group will be Vardar Skopje who looks sure to finish bottom against this opposition.