Europa League 26/27

[Adamoc123]

My initial thoughts are i'm quite disappointed, seem to have avoided the more "glamorous" but albeit tougher ties. But we also avoided some of the easier ties too. Leaving us in a scenario where it's probably going to be as tough as it could be without getting some of the more hype matchups.

That's not to say playing Sociedad under selhurst park lights or taking on the Turkey giants in Besiktas isn't hype. Maybe I just would've rather had a Juventus/Milan from Pot 1 and easier ties for Pot 4.

Btw I 100% called that we were going to get Lyon Salzburg and Praha. I did expect us to get AZ though.

Either way the path is paved we just need to walk it now. Come on Palace!

 

[Linford]

Really surprising that UEFA gave us the hardest draw. It's not like Marinakis has connections there.

Is it the hardest draw? We avoided Milan, Juve, and Bayer Leverkusen.

Those are the only three I actually fear to any degree in the competition.

 

[Linford]

I laughed out loud when we got Lyon. That was inevitable wasn't it?

 

[mileend]

Is it the hardest draw? We avoided Milan, Juve, and Bayer Leverkusen.

Those are the only three I actually fear to any degree in the competition.

Out of Pot 4 we have the toughest teams so makes the overall set of 8 games harder

But in the Conference we played a lot better against the better teams where they played a more open game after struggling against the low block of the smaller clubs for whom the prize of a result against an English PL side made them defend for their lives.

Main issue is getting our standard up in the Premier League asap. If we can play to our potential in Europe we should make the knockout rounds.

 

[rikz]

Did we not play hoffenheim a couple of years ago in a friendly ?

 

[Adamoc123]

Out of Pot 4 we have the toughest teams so makes the overall set of 8 games harder

But in the Conference we played a lot better against the better teams where they played a more open game after struggling against the low block of the smaller clubs for whom the prize of a result against an English PL side made them defend for their lives.

Main issue is getting our standard up in the Premier League asap. If we can play to our potential in Europe we should make the knockout rounds.

To be fair this was under Glasner who notoriously struggled against the low block, i believe we are yet to see if Sage can deal with those kind of tactics, and on the flip side if we can maintain performances against teams that come at us.

 

[ambrose7]

Is it the hardest draw? We avoided Milan, Juve, and Bayer Leverkusen.

Those are the only three I actually fear to any degree in the competition.

Last year 16 points was automatic qualification and 10 kept you alive.

With a good draw you can get the 10 points from pots 3 and 4 (3 wins and an away draw) and have a free hit against the 4 bigger sides to go through top 8.

It doesn't really matter which of Pot 1 you get - none are easy. Leverkusen or Sociedad is splitting hairs.

Besiktas away and Hoffenheim home when we could have got Crete, Ararat-Armenia, Torreense, Beer-Sheva is tough. To not be overwhelming favourites against either Pot 4 side is very unlucky.

 

[Hootie121082]

I laughed out loud when we got Lyon. That was inevitable wasn't it?

Anyone would think it's fixed 🤔

 

[BelfastEagle]

Based on 5% away capacities

3,000 for Lyon
1,500 for Salzburg
1,100 for Jagiellonia
2,100 for Besiktas

Having said that Salzburg capacity 30,000 average attendance last season 11,412 so there will be plenty of room

 

[Westy2710]

Anyone have any idea on dates off the fixtures ?

 

[mileend]

Anyone have any idea on dates off the fixtures ?

They will announce the exact fixtures for each game date by Sunday evening latest

Here are the game dates

Matchday 1: 16/17 September 2026
Matchday 2: 15 October 2026
Matchday 3: 22 October 2026
Matchday 4: 5 November 2026
Matchday 5: 26 November 2026
Matchday 6: 10 December 2026
Matchday 7: 21 January 2027
Matchday 8: 28 January 2027

 

[Westy2710]

They will announce the exact fixtures for each game date by Sunday evening latest

Here are the game dates

Matchday 1: 16/17 September 2026
Matchday 2: 15 October 2026
Matchday 3: 22 October 2026
Matchday 4: 5 November 2026
Matchday 5: 26 November 2026
Matchday 6: 10 December 2026
Matchday 7: 21 January 2027
Matchday 8: 28 January 2027

Thank you

 

[Avtelephone]

You are more than good enough to beat all of those teams. Can see you getting 1st or 2nd. Good luck!

 

[Linford]

It doesn't really matter which of Pot 1 you get - none are easy. Leverkusen or Sociedad is splitting hairs.

I'd much rather face Sociedad than Leverkusen myself.

 

[Linford]

You are more than good enough to beat all of those teams. Can see you getting 1st or 2nd. Good luck!

Thank you! Villa fan?

 

[Part Time James]

In the Conference we looked rubbish against bus parkers and world class against anyone trying to win. I.e.: I think tougher games suits us. This draw look ok to me. Not saying I am cocky with optimism but I don't see many/any of these teams trying to bore us into a defeat.

 

[Avtelephone]

Thank you! Villa fan?

Yeah Villa. Weird summer for us! 😂

Would love to see you guys win the Europa.

 

[Linford]

Yeah Villa. Weird summer for us! 😂

Would love to see you guys win the Europa.

Much appreciated. Weird just for being in UCL or another reason?

Good luck to you lot in the UCL, I hope we both come home with trophies once again.

 

[Avtelephone]

Much appreciated. Weird just for being in UCL or another reason?

Good luck to you lot in the UCL, I hope we both come home with trophies once again.

So many players leaving 😂 but we really needed a rebuild, squad was very old. We will be ok - I just think we will go through a very challenging period before we kick on.

Thank you 😊 god, wouldn’t it be good for another trophy!? Was so happy for you guys, you deserve so much success. Top fans, even if your team smashes my team 😂

 

[Eagleman13]

Away. Poland. Jageillonia Bialystok. we will have to 'Produce' our best for this . . .