- The group stage of the Europa League begins on Thursday, September 21.
- There will be 16 games spread over eight groups.
- There are games for Liverpool, Brighton, West Ham, and Rangers.
Even if the UEFA Europa League is just its younger sibling, there will be enough to enjoy during this Thursday’s opening round of matches.
The British clubs in the competition are having a particularly exciting year: Liverpool are trying to win one of the few trophies they haven’t under Jurgen Klopp, Brighton & Hove Albion are starting their first European campaign, West Ham United are still riding high from winning the Europa Conference League, and Rangers are hoping to advance further than they did when they reached the final two seasons ago.
Although it might all come to a conclusion in Dublin in May, the group stages are where it all really starts. The schedule for Thursday’s first-round games is provided below.
LASK vs Liverpool – Group E
- Location: Linz, Austria
- Stadium: Raiffeisen Arena
- Date: Thursday 21 September
- Kick-off Time: 17:45 BST / 12:45 ET / 09:45 PT
- Referee: Marco Di Bello (ITA)
- VAR: Michael Fabbri (ITA)
This competition produced the Reds’ first European championship under Klopp in 2016. Liverpool lost 3-1 against Sevilla, the reigning champions of the Europa League, but they remain optimistic about winning the trophy this time around.
A very straightforward squad sets out on a picturesque journey to Austria to take on LASK, a team that Liverpool has never faced before. Even though Klopp is sure to make changes from his club’s 3-1 Premier League victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, even a Liverpool side made up entirely of backup players ought to be capable of defeating Austria’s third-best team.
The Reds should win easily in their first Europa League match in more than seven years.
West Ham vs TSC Backa Topola – Group A
- Location: London, England
- Stadium: London Stadium
- Date: Thursday 21 September
- Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
- Referee: Filip Glova (SVK)
- VAR: Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez (SPA)
West Ham’s victory in the Europa Conference League last season serves as the ideal illustration of why these smaller-scale European tournaments still matter so much for those who criticize them. The Hammers’ victory was not only an incredible feat in and of itself, but it also provided them with a ticket into the Europa League this season.
Beginning their campaign is a matchup against Backa Topola, who placed second in the Serbian premier league the previous year. They could present the Irons with some difficulties on Thursday night as they presently hold the SuperLiga lead after seven games.
West Ham, on the other hand, has also had a solid start to the season, even playing wonderfully against Manchester City last weekend despite losing 3-1. Regardless of Backa Topola’s performance, the Hammers ought to secure three points with this win.
Brighton vs AEK Athens – Group B
- Location: Brighton, England
- Stadium: Amex Stadium
- Date: Thursday 21 September
- Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
- Referee: Kristo Tohver (EST)
- VAR: Juan Martinez Munuera (SPA)
In their maiden European campaign, this should be Brighton’s easiest game in a challenging group. Given that Ajax and Marseille are the other teams in their group, Roberto De Zerbi’s team must defeat AEK Athens in order to advance.
Since the Seagulls have had such a strong start to the season, they should be able to dispatch their Greek opponents with relative ease. The highlight of what has been a fantastic first few weeks of the new season may have been Brighton’s 3-1 victory away from home over Manchester United at the weekend.
Rangers vs Real Betis – Group C
- Location: Glasgow, Scotland
- Stadium: Ibrox
- Date: Thursday 21 September
- Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
- Referee: Lawrence Visser (BEL)
- VAR: Bram Van Driessche (BEL)
Rangers will reside in the Europa League once more after suffering badly in the Champions League group stage last year.
In reality, the Gers’ final game in this competition was the final in 2022, a game that still makes Ibrox feel like a lost opportunity. After 120 minutes of combat, Rangers lost 5-4 on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt, with Aaron Ramsey missing the key spot kick.
Michael Beale’s team has an opportunity to enjoy another lengthy Europa League run, but Real Betis will provide tough challenge when they play this Thursday in their group opener. Rangers will look to capitalize on the Spanish team’s lopsided 5-0 loss to Barcelona over the weekend because they have previously demonstrated that they can be competitive against some of the best European teams.
Europa League fixture list in full
Date / time (BST) | Group | Fixture |
|---|---|---|
21/09/23 – 20:00 | A | Olympiacos vs Freiburg |
21/09/23 – 20:00 | A | West Ham vs Backa Topola |
21/09/23 – 20:00 | B | Ajax vs Marseille |
21/09/23 – 20:00 | B | Brighton vs AEK Athens |
21/09/23 – 20:00 | C | Rangers vs Real Betis |
21/09/23 – 20:00 | C | Sparta Prague vs Aris Limassol |
21/09/23 – 20:00 | D | Atalanta vs Rakow Czestochowa |
21/09/23 – 20:00 | D | Strum Graz vs Sporting CP |
21/09/23 – 17:45 | E | LASK vs Liverpool |
21/09/23 – 17:45 | E | Union St. Gilloise vs Toulouse |
21/09/23 – 17:45 | F | Panathinaikos vs Villarreal |
21/09/23 – 17:45 | F | Rennes vs Maccabi Haifa |
21/09/23 – 17:45 | G | FC Sheriff vs Roma |
21/09/23 – 17:45 | G | Servette vs Slavia Prague |
21/09/23 – 17:45 | H | Bayer Leverkusen vs BK Hacken |
21/09/23 – 17:45 | H | Qarabag vs Molde |