The second half of the Europa Conference League group stages are about to get underway.
Just three clubs, West Ham United, Villarreal and AZ, are on maximum points after three games, while no one is yet to get off the mark.
Below are previews of all 16 matchday four fixtures.
📰 Table Of Contents
- 1 UEFA Europa Conference League group stage tables:
- 2 Group A: Fiorentina vs Heart of Midlothian
- 3 Group A: İstanbul Başakşehir vs RFS
- 4 Group B: West Ham United vs Anderlecht
- 5 Group B: FCSB vs Silkeborg
- 6 Group C: Austria Wien vs Villarreal
- 7 Group C: Hapoel Be’er Sheva vs Lech Poznań
- 8 Group D: Partizan Belgrade vs Köln
- 9 Group D: Nice vs Slovácko
- 10 Group E: Apollon Limassol vs AZ Alkmaar
- 11 Group E: Vaduz vs Dnipro-1
- 12 Group F: Djurgården vs Gent
- 13 Group F: Shamrock Rovers vs Molde
- 14 Group G: CFR Cluj vs Slavia Prague
- 15 Group G: Ballkani vs Sivasspor
- 16 Group H: ŠK Slovan Bratislava vs Basel
- 17 Group H: Žalgiris Vilnius vs Pyunik
UEFA Europa Conference League group stage tables:
Group A: Fiorentina vs Heart of Midlothian
After a comfortable victory in Edinburgh last Thursday, will Fiorentina make it back-to-back European wins?
Seven nights ago, Rolando Mandragora, Christian Kouamé and Luka Jović were all on target in a 3-0 victory for I Viola at Tynecastle.
Lewis Neilson’s red card compounding a miserable night for Heart of Midlothian.
Nevertheless, it lifts Vincenzo Italiano’s team into second place, and another victory here would all but guarantee passage into the knockout phase.
Hearts meanwhile enjoyed a momentous victory in their last European away game, downing RFS 2-0 in Rīga.
However, when the group’s two big sides have come to Tynecastle, they’ve scored seven unanswered goals.
Thus, it’s been a steep learning curve for Robbie Neilson’s side, who really need a positive result in Florence.
All available evidence though suggests a home win will be witnessed by those inside Stadio Artemio Franchi.
Group A: İstanbul Başakşehir vs RFS
After surprisingly dropping points in Latvia last Thursday, will İstanbul Başakşehir get back on track?
Seven nights ago, these two clubs played out a goalless draw at Skonto stadions; Tomáš Šimkovič sent off late on for RFS.
Before this, the Turkish side had seemed unstoppable in Group A, hammering Hearts 4-0 and then Fiorentina 3-0.
So, Emre Belözoğlu’s side are still top of the table, looking for a victory here that would, almost, guaranteed knockout stage football.
RFS meanwhile are the first Virslīga side ever to feature in a UEFA group stage, and they’ve been considerably more competitive than most anticipated.
Viktors Morozs’ side have now held Fiorentina and İstanbul Başakşehir to draws, beaten 2-0 by Hearts at home in-between.
Here, the home side are likely to be far too strong at Başakşehir Fatih Terim Stadyumu.
Group B: West Ham United vs Anderlecht
Will West Ham United’s 100% record in the UEFA Europa Conference League continue?
Including the play-off round, the Hammers have won five out of five in the competition, so sit on nine points in Group B.
Last mid-week, Gianluca Scamacca was the hero, coming off the bench to score the night’s only goal in Brussels.
Before this, David Moyes’ men had enjoyed comeback victories over both FCSB and then Silkeborg.
Thus, another victory for the Irons here would secure their place in the knockout phase, and could wrap up top spot with two game to spare.
Anderlecht meanwhile are West Ham’s closest challengers and, at the half way mark, are well-placed to take second spot.
Before defeat last Thursday, Felice Mazzù’s side were unbeaten, winning 1-0 against Silkeborg before a goalless draw in Bucharest.
The Purple and White’s decisive fixtures will come on matchdays five and six, with anything they get here very much a bonus.
Will the London Stadium witness another European home win?
Group B: FCSB vs Silkeborg
After an emphatic victory in Denmark last Thursday, will Silkeborg be too strong for FCSB again?
A week ago, the 6,000 inside JYSK Park couldn’t quite believe their eyes, with Silkeborg running out 5-0 winners.
Anders Klynge, Kasper Kusk, Nicklas Helenius, Stefán Teitur Þórðarson and Tonni Adamsen all on target.
This was actually Silkeborg’s first European win for 24 years, having began this campaign with defeats to Anderlecht and West Ham.
Now though, if Kent Nielsen’s side can pick up three points on the road, they’d very much be in the hunt to get through.
FCSB meantime were European Cup winners in 1986, reaching the final again three years later.
These days, in their first UEFA group stage since 2017, the Red and Blues are bottom of the table with just one point to their name.
Nicolae Dică’s team have conceded eight goals in their two away games, holding Anderlecht to a goalless draw when they visited Bucharest.
Who will claim three massive points at Arena Națională?
Group C: Austria Wien vs Villarreal
Villarreal were amongst the pre-tournament favourites to win the Europa Conference League and, so far at least, they’ve certainly lived up to the billing.
Last Thursday, they hammered Austria Wien 5-0 at Estadi Ciutat de València.
Álex Baena and Arnaut Danjuma scoring, before José Luis Morales came off the bench to bag his first-ever career hat-trick, coming at the age of 35.
That made it three wins out of three for Unai Emery’s side, following a 4-2 victory over Lech Poznań and then a 2-1 success in Israel.
Thus, if the other result goes their way, el Submarino Amarillo could wrap up top spot with two games to go, provided they’re victories here of course.
Austria Wien meantime are competing in a first UEFA group stage since 2017, but it’s not been a celebratory return.
Die Veilchen did hold Hapoel Be’er Sheva to a goalless draw, but have since lost both away matches, conceding nine times.
This leaves Manfred Schmid’s side rock bottom of Group C, on the brink of elimination already.
Will Villarreal leave Franz Horr Stadium with all three points?
Group C: Hapoel Be’er Sheva vs Lech Poznań
These two played out an uneventful goalless draw at Stadion Poznań last Thursday, so will there be more goalmouth action this time?
That point was enough to maintain Lech Poznań’s position in second, given that the Ekstraklasa champions had hammered Austria Wien 4-1 on matchday two.
However, the Polish side are winless in eight European away games, so will be disappointed not to have taken all three points last midweek.
Thus this is an opportunity for Hapoel Be’er Sheva to leap into second by winning for the first time in Group C.
The Camels two points in this section have both been yielded from goalless draws on the road, meaning they’ve won just three of their last 16 group phase fixtures.
This one at Turner Stadium could go either-way.
Group D: Partizan Belgrade vs Köln
Following their shock victory in Germany last Thursday, can Partizan pull clear at the top of Group D?
A week ago, Svetozar Marković’s ninth minute header was enough to see the Serbian giants leave RheinEnergieStadion victorious.
This means Partizan remain unbeaten, following a 3-3 draw in the Czech Republic and a 1-1 stalemate against Nice.
The Black-whites reached the round of 16 in this competition just last season, but are aiming to finish top of a UEFA group for the first time ever.
Köln had made a pretty good start, drawing at Allianz Riviera and then beating Slovácko 4-2, before crashing back down to earth last mid-week.
Steffen Baumgart is aiming to take die Geißböcke into the knockout stages of a UEFA competition for the first time since 1989/90.
If they’re going to achieve that, the German club can’t really afford to leave Partizan Stadium empty handed.
Group D: Nice vs Slovácko
After last Thursday’s victory in Uherské Hradiště, will Nice prove to be too strong for Slovácko again?
A week ago, Nicolas Pépé was the night’s only scorer, although this was largely thanks to a calamitous error from goalkeeper Filip Nguyễn.
This was Nice’s first victory of the campaign, following 1-1 draws with Köln at home and Partizan in Belgrade.
Les Aiglons find themselves 13th in Ligue 1, but a victory here would leave them on the cusp of the knockout stages.
Czech Cup winners Slovácko were always likely to struggle in this group and so it has largely proved to be the case.
Martin Svědík’s side did hold Partizan to a thrilling 3-3 draw, but they’ve since lost both games, leaving them bottom.
Thus, a home win seems likely at Allianz Riviera.
Group E: Apollon Limassol vs AZ Alkmaar
AZ Alkmaar have been pretty unstoppable in the Europa Conference League this season, so will that continue to be the case?
Last Thursday, they prevailed in a five-goal thriller against Apollon Limassol at AFAS Stadion.
Jens Odgaard and Dani de Wit seeing go-ahead goals cancelled out by Patrick Joosten and then Euclides Cabral, before Jesper Karlsson finally won it for the hosts.
This means AZ have maximum points in Group E, scoring 26 goals in their nine European matches this season including qualifiers.
Another victory here for Pascal Jansen’s side could wrap up top spot with two games to spare.
In contrast, Apollon Limassol are rock bottom of the section, drawing 0-0 on matchday one and then losing both subsequent fixtures.
The Cypriot club have never reached the knockout phase of a UEFA competition, with that fact set to remain the case.
Will AZ be too strong at Nicosia?
Group E: Vaduz vs Dnipro-1
After last Thursday’s highly entertaining clash at Košická futbalová aréna, will these two serve up a goal-fest again.
Hosts Dnipro-1 went into that one as favourites, and took an early lead through star striker Artem Dovbyk.
However, Vaduz rallied and led through Fabio Fehr and Cédric Gasser, only for Oleksandr Pikhalyonok to salvage a point for the Ukrainian outfit.
This means Dnipro-1 are now on four points, having lost to AZ but then beaten Apollon Limassol in Cyprus.
This is their first-ever UEFA group stage, although they are a phoenix club for 2015 Europa League runners-up Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk.
Vaduz meantime, who are currently second bottom of the Swiss second-tier, have become the first Liechtenstein-baseed club to compete in a group stage.
Alessandro Mangiarratti’s team now have two points on the board, drawing with Apollon on matchday one, so are still, just about, in the hunt to qualify.
Will Dnipro-1 leave Rheinpark Stadion with three vital points?
Group F: Djurgården vs Gent
Djurgården may be making their debut in a UEFA group this season, but they’re on the cusp of the knockout rounds.
Last Thursday, Marcus Danielson’s towering header was enough to see the Swedish club to a surprise 1-0 victory in Belgium.
This leaves the Blue Stripes on seven points, following a goalless draw in Dublin and a last-gasp 3-2 home victory over Molde.
So, another victory for Kim Bergstrand & Thomas Lagerlöf’s team here would be a giant step towards progression.
Gent meanwhile are the top seeds in Group F, but kick off down in third place.
To date, De Buffalo’s only win in this group came on matchday two, hammering Shamrock Rovers 3-0.
If Hein Vanhaezebrouck’s team are beaten in Stockholm, they risk being cut adrift from the top two.
Djurgården have won all four European home games this season, including qualifiers, so will Tele2 Arena continue to be a fortress?
Group F: Shamrock Rovers vs Molde
Shamrock Rovers have been outplayed in their last two Europa Conference League outings, so will that continue to be the case?
Last Thursday, the Hoops were easily beaten 3-0 in Molde; Ola Brynhildsen with a brace, before Etzaz Hussain sealed the win.
That’s back-to-back 3-0 defeats on the road for Stephen Bradley’s team, who were beaten by the same scoreline in Ghent three week earlier.
The League of Ireland champions did hold current group leaders Djurgårdens IF to a goalless draw on matchday one so, back in Dublin, they’ll be hopeful of a first win.
Molde meanwhile were winless a week ago, having drawn 0-0 with Gent before a last-gasp 3-2 defeat in Stockholm.
Now though, Erling Moe’s men will be targeting victory in the Emerald Isle to enhance their knockout stage case.
Will Molde be too strong at Tallaght Stadium?
Group G: CFR Cluj vs Slavia Prague
After last Thursday’s shock victory in the Czech capital, can CFR Cluj do it again?
Last Thursday, Rangelo Janga’s header in first half stoppage time saw the Romanian champions to a 1-0 victory over Slavia Praha.
Before this, Dan Petrescu’s side were winless in Group G, following a 1-1 draw in Kosovo and a 1-0 home defeat to Sivasspor.
However, at the half-way mark, all four teams in this group are now on four points, with Slavia Prague the least pleased about this development.
Jindřich Trpišovský’s team were big favourites to top the section, particularly after beating Ballkani on matchday two.
Now though, the Slavists are under pressure to leave Transylvania with a positive result.
Who will prevail at Stadionul Dr. Constantin Rădulescu?
Group G: Ballkani vs Sivasspor
Following last midweek’s historic victory, can Ballkani do it again?
On Thursday, these two produced a seven-goal thriller in Sivas, with Fredrik Ulvestad setting the tone early, firing the hosts in front after less than 60 seconds.
However, Ballkani roared back, leading 3-1 with Armend Thaçi, Arbër Potoku and Meriton Korenica all on target.
The Kosovar champions were then seemingly denied a win; Erdoğan Yeşilyurt halving the deficit, before Mustapha Yatabaré equalised for Sivasspor in stoppage time.
Nevertheless, it was to be an historic night for Ballkani after all, with Ermal Krasniqi snatching a 4-3 victory with the last kick of the night.
This season, they’ve become the first Kosovar club to compete in a UEFA group stage, with that their maiden win at this level.
However, with all four teams now on four points, it is Ilir Daja’s team who occupy top spot, by virtue of goal scored.
Sivasspor meantime had made a positive start, beating Cluj and drawing with Slavia Praha, prior to that embarrassing defeat.
Rıza Çalımbay’s team are currently second bottom in the Süper Lig, so to say he’s under pressure would be an understatement.
So, will Ballkani be celebrating again, this time at Fadil Vokrri Stadium?
Group H: ŠK Slovan Bratislava vs Basel
Following last Thursday’s shock result at St. Jakob-Park, what will these two teams produce this time?
A week ago, Lukáš Pauschek and Aleksandar Čavrić were both on target in the first half as Slovan Bratislava left Switzerland 2-0 winners.
Before that, the Slovakian champions were winless in Group H, drawing 0-0 with Žalgiris, before a 2-0 defeat in Yerevan.
Now though, the 1969 Cup Winners’ Cup champions are hopeful of reaching the knockout stages of a European competition for the first time in the modern era.
Basel meanwhile were on maximum points, beating Pyunik at home and Žalgiris away, before last week’s shock reverse.
The RotBlau reached the last 16 of this competition last season, so are targeting a similarly lengthy run this time round.
Will Basel get back on track at Tehelné pole?
Group H: Žalgiris Vilnius vs Pyunik
Can Pyunik transfer their home form onto the European road?
Last Thursday, Juninho and Yusuf Otubanjo were on target as the Armenian champions downed their Lithuanian counterparts 2-0 in Yerevan.
That’s back-to-back 2-0 home wins for Yegishe Melikyan’s team in Group H, also downing ŠK Slovan Bratislava last month.
On the road though, Pyunik have won just three of their last 14 European games, seeking to improve that ratio here.
As for Žalgiris Vilnius, since drawing in Bratislava on matchday one, they’ve lost both matches without scoring.
The Green and Whites have become Lithuanian’s first-ever representatives in a UEFA group stage, but are yet to score a goal.
So, this one could go either-way at LFF Stadium.
