The Europe League gets interesting
The 2016/17 UEFA Europa League group stage enters the second half of the competition this week and although some teams are in control on their group, others have plenty of work to do.
Only three teams have maximum points from their three games played to date and they are Shakhtar Donetsk, Zenit St Petersburg and Schalke. If these clubs can win one of their three remaining matches, they are assured a place in the knockout stages.
However, there are several groups which remain very tight, one of which is Group A. This group is one of the strongest in the competition and features Manchester United, Fenerbahce and Feyenoord. The Premier League team are favourites to win the group but face a tricky game in Istanbul on Thursday night. Manchester United have struggled in Turkey before and given their current form, this is a potential banana skin for Jose Mourinho’s men. With an upcoming trip to Ukraine, both Fenerbahce and Feyenoord will be hoping Manchester United drop points, allowing them to occupy the top two places. Group A is going to be one the most exciting to watch in the latter stages of the Europa League group stage.
Moving on and Group D is very evenly poised at the half way stage, with Anderlecht, Saint Etienne and Mainz all on 5 points. With two home matches to come in the group, against Saint Etienne and Mainz, Anderlecht are perhaps best placed to progress at the top of the group. Mainz still have to make two trips away from home, to both Anderlecht and Saint Etienne and this could mean the French club sneaking through in second place.
There are only 3 points separating top from bottom in Group E but Austria Wien look to be in a strong position. Having held Roma to a draw in the Italian capital, they welcome the Italians to Austria for the return game, in what is one of their two remaining home matches. A win in that one, should see Austria Wien take one of the two qualifying spots. Roma will have to battle it out for second place, if they fail to pick anything up from the match in Vienna.
Another Italian team who could be struggling to qualify from their group, are Inter Milan. Currently sitting bottom of Group K with 3 points from a possible 9, Inter were fortunate to claim maximum points from their last match, at home to Southampton. The reverse fixture in England is going to be tough, especially following the recent sacking of Frank de Boer as manager. A defeat at St. Mary’s could see Sparta Prague take control of the group, with Southampton also vying for a qualifying place. Falling out of the Europa League at the group stage, would be a major disappointment for Inter Milan.
There are three group matches remaining and as things stand, only 7 teams from the 48 in the groups, are realistically out of contention. There is all to play for, as the 2016/17 Europa League starts to take shape.
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