The Europa League returns this week with a first round of potentially explosive matches lined up across the continent.
English Premier League clubs have dominated the competition in recent seasons, with Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa winning the last two editions.
Some of the best teams from other top European leagues will be out to halt the English dominance when the tournament kicks off on Wednesday, September 16.
With no defending champion in the draw, a fresh winner will be crowned, with Serie A duo Juventus and AC Milan the current favourites to lift the trophy in May’s final in Frankfurt.
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Debutants Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Sunderland will carry English hopes in the third season of the 36-team league phase.
The calibre of English teams has significantly been reduced this season, with Sunderland making a return to Europe after a 53-year hiatus.
Gameweek one takes place over Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 September, which features eye-catching fixtures to look out for.
Italian heavyweights AC Milan will host Benfica on Wednesday, while Real Sociedad will battle it out against Bournemouth in their opening encounter.
Europa League dates
The competition kicks off on September 16 and runs through until May 2027.
When will the final be played and where?
The final will be played on May 26, 2027 at the Stadion Frankfurt in Germany
Europa League format
The Europa League follows the same format as the Champions League, with 36 teams competing in the league phase.
Each club will play eight matches against eight different opponents, four at home and four away, with the top eight teams going through to the last 16.
The clubs who finish 9th-24th go into a play-off round, with the winners sailing through to the last 16.
Favorites to win Europa League
EPL – Bournemouth
Serie A – AC Milan and Juventus
Bundesliga – Bayer Leverkusen
Ligue 1 – Lyon and Marseille
La Liga – Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo
Europa League dark horses
The two sides who are looking likely to cause problems for the top ranked teams are Premier League’s Crystal Palace and Portuguese heavyweights Benfica.
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Which team has won the Europa League most times?
Sevilla are the record winners of the competition with seven titles.
Does the Europa League winner qualify for the Champions League?
Yes, the eventual winner earns automatic qualification to next season’s Champions League.
Europa League round one fixtures: (All matches kick off at 10PM E.A.T unless stated otherwise)
Wednesday
Omonia vs Celta Vigo – 7:45PM
Ararat Armenia vs Sparta Prague -7:45PM
AC Milan vs Benfica
Bayer Leverkusen vs Celje
Anderlecht vs Lyon
Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar
Olympiacos vs Jagiellonia
Hapoel Beer Sheva vs Dinamo Zagreb
Sturm Graz vs Rennes
Thursday
OFI Crete vs Hoffenheim – 7:45PM
Levski Sofia vs Salzburg – 7:45PM
Juventus vs NEC Nijmegen
Celtic vs Ferencvaros
Viktoria Plzen vs Royale Union SG
Crystal Palace vs Lech Poznan
Lillestrom vs Torreense
Real Sociedad vs Bournemouth
Besiktas vs Marseille
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