Champions League this, Champions League that. Blah, blah, blah. Thursday nights is where it’s at.
It’s bound to be a thrilling conclusion to the Europa League group stage with places in the round of 16 and the play-offs up for grabs in all eight groups.
The introduction of the Europa Conference League means those that finish third in their group will drop into the new competition for the first knockout phase, adding a bit more spice to the epilogue of the group stage.
Here are all the teams dropping into the Europa Conference League and who could be joining them once Matchday 6 is in the books.
One team has been confirmed to have dropped into the Europa Conference League with just one round of group stage fixtures remaining.
Cypriot outfit AEK Larnaca have accumulated five points through five games in Group B and will finish third in the group no matter the outcomes on Matchday 6.
While they are just three points ahead of Dynamo Kyiv, their superior head-to-record means they’ll drop into the Conference League at the Ukrainian’s side expense if the two teams were to finish the group equal on points.
It’s very much all to play four in seven of the eight groups heading into the final matchday. 17 teams in total could yet find themselves sliding into the Europa Conference League, including Derby della Capitale rivals AS Roma and Lazio, as well as French giants AS Monaco.
Group A
Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven have secured their places in the knockouts, but Bodø/Glimt and FC Zurich are fighting it out to remain in Europe.
The Norwegian side currently lead the Swiss outfit by a point and Zurich need to beat Arsenal away from home on Matchday 6 to have any hope of pipping Bodø/Glimt to third spot.
The two teams boast identical head-to-head records, but Bodø have a far superior goal difference which means a point at the Emirates likely won’t suffice for Zurich.
Group C
This is a straight shootout between Ludogorets and last season’s Conference League winners Roma.
Both teams are on seven points heading into their decisive Matchday 6 clash at Stadio Olimpico. A draw will see Ludogorets into the Europa League round of 32 as they beat the Giallorossi on Matchday 1.
Group D
Bundesliga flyers Union Berlin will likely need to beat Group D victors Union Saint-Gilloise on Thursday to remain in the Europa League.
They’re currently two points ahead of third-place SC Braga, who take on Malmo at home. While the two teams can’t be separated via head-to-head, Braga will boast a superior goal difference if they win and Union Berlin draw on Matchday 6.
Should Union Berlin win in Belgium, they’ll progress and Braga will slide into the Conference League. Victory for Braga and defeat for Union will see the Portuguese side through.
Group E
Omonoia have the faintest hope of pipping FC Sheriff to third spot in Group E.
The two sides meet again on Matchday 6 after Sheriff won the first encounter 3-0. The Real Madrid slayers have a three-point advantage which means Omonoia will need to win Thursday’s game by three goals or more to drop down into the Conference League at their opponents’ expense.
Group F
Buckle up, folks. This is where it gets confusing.
Three points separate top and bottom and Group F which means that all four teams could possibly finish third and fall into the Conference League. Lazio and Sturm Graz top the group with eight points, while Feyenoord and Midtjylland both have five points.
Lazio take on Feyenoord, while Midtjylland face Sturm Graz on Matchday 6. Draws in both of these games will see Feyenoord drop into the Conference League. The Dutch side will also finish third if they and Midtjylland are both beaten.
Should Feyenoord win by two or more goals and Midtjylland win, Lazio will finish third in Group F. This will also be the case if Feyenoord record a convincing win (two or more goals) and Sturm Graz are held by Midtjylland.
Sturm Graz will finish third if they are beaten by Midtjylland and Feyenoord fail to win.
In short, just let the live tables work their magic.
Group G
Qarabag and Nantes are separated by a point in Group G heading into the final group games. Qarabag currently boast the advantage but they host table-topping Freiburg on Matchday 6. Nantes, meanwhile, visit Olympiacos.
Victory for Qarabag will see them into the Europa League knockouts, as will a draw if Nantes fail to win in Greece.
However, Qarabag will finish third if they fail to beat Freiburg and Nantes win.
Should Nantes draw and Qarabag lose, the latter will progress as they boast a superior head-to-head record.
Group H
It’s bound to be an exciting finish in Group H with three teams battling it out for a spot in the Europa League round of 32.
AS Monaco are a point better off than Trabzonspor and Red Star Belgrade, so victory for them on Matchday 6 will see them progress. However, should Red Star hold Monaco, Trabzonspor will finish second and Monaco third if the Turkish side beat Ferencvaros.
Red Star will finish third in Group H if they draw with Monaco and Trabzonspor lose, and they’ll qualify for the Europa League knockouts with a win and a Trabzonspor defeat.
Should both games end in a draw, Trabzonspor will drop down to the Conference League.
