Conference League, the single group stage concludes: only Chelsea is already sure of the round of 16. Many still in contention for the play-offs: predictions.
The single group stage of the Conference League ’24-’25 has reached its conclusion. While Champions and Europa League will also be in the spotlight in January (two more rounds are played in the two main competitions), in the third-largest continental event there are the last places up for grabs for the knockout phase.
The top 8 in the maxiclassification also qualify directly for the round of 16, while those who finish ninth through twenty-fourth will have to pass the play-offs to land in the top 16. From twenty-fifth position down, however, it will be elimination. The only team that after five days is certain of a pass to the round of 16 is Chelsea: Enzo Maresca’s Blues, despite fielding almost exclusively reserves and youth players, have not encountered any obstacles and are the only ones with full points (15 points and with the best attack in the tournament, 21 goals). Victory is also coming in the fascinating challenge with the Irish Shamrock Rovers, among the surprises of this league stage. The Dublin club, in fact, has collected 11 points (one less than Fiorentina, to be clear) and is in the running for a place in the top eight. Very difficult to take away points from Stamford Bridge but we believe that at least one goal the green-and-whites will manage to score.
The predictions on the other matches
Teams that are already sure to take part in the knockout stage (round of 16 or play-offs) are 15: APOEL Nicosia, Cercle Brugge, Copenhagen, Djurgården, Fiorentina, Gent, Heidenheim, Jagiellonia, Legia Warsaw, Lugano, Olimpia Ljubljana, Pafos, Shamrock Rovers, Rapid Vienna and Vitória Guimaraes.
Only two, however, those mathematically eliminated: the Northern Irish of Larne and the Moldovans of Petrocub. APOEL is aiming to stay in the top eight: the Cypriots, the only ones, moreover, to beat Fiorentina, have won their last three and should be able to impose themselves in their home match with Kazakhstan’s Astana as well. Three points are also within reach for the Scots of Hearts: the Edinburgh club with a success would secure the play-offs and Petrocub, already eliminated, pose no credible threat. The Icelanders of Vikingur, another pleasant surprise, are also dreaming: the Scandinavians have collected seven points and seem to have what it takes to snatch at least a draw at the home of disastrous LASK, which was swept away (7-0) by Fiorentina in Florence a week ago. Balance is also expected in TSC-Noah, both stationary on 4 points and forced to win to hope to break into the top 24: Serbs slightly favored because of the field factor.
Molde must also win: if successful, the Norwegians would overtake the Czechs of Mlada Boleslav and in all likelihood enter the top 24. Betis, which has essentially disappointed so far, cannot make any missteps either: the Spaniards’ chances of finishing in the top eight are negligible, but against HJK Helsinki the three points should not escape.
As for goals, finally, watch out for Larne-Gent, Heidenheim-St. Gallen, Lugano-Pafos, Cercle Brugge-Basaksehir and Rapid Vienna-Copenaghen.
Conference League, possible winners
APOEL Nicosia (in APOEL Nicosia-Astana).
Hearts (in Hearts-Petrocub)
Vikingur or draw (in LASK Linz-Vikingur)
Molde (in Molde-Mlada Boleslav)
TSC or tie (in TSC-Noah)
Matches of at least three goals total
Betis-HJK Helsinki
Chelsea-Shamrock Rovers
Larne-Gent
Heidenheim-St. Gallen
Conference League, the games by at least one goal per team
Cercle Brugge-Basaksehir
Djurgarden-Legia Warsaw
Lugano-Pafos
Rapid Vienna-Copenaghen
Share comparison
An APOEL Nicosia victory is listed at 1.35 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 1.38 on Snai. In contrast, the “Goal” sign in Lugano-Pafos is quoted at 1.62 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 1.60 on Snai.
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