Who Could Win the UEFA Europa League?

Larne enter this Europa League clash after a notably active period in domestic competition, with January bringing several tightly contested fixtures that shaped their current rhythm. Their meeting with Glentoran earlier in the month, referenced here as 2–1, highlighted Larne’s ability to recover from early setbacks and maintain pressure throughout the second half. Over the past two months, the club has also been involved in transfer discussions aimed at strengthening their midfield depth, following injuries that briefly disrupted squad continuity. These developments have kept Larne in the spotlight as they prepare for European duties.

The Northern Irish side continued their domestic run with another significant outing against Linfield, shown here as 1–0, a match that demonstrated Larne’s defensive discipline and capacity to hold narrow leads under sustained pressure. Their early‑January fixture against Coleraine, available as 3–2, further showcased their attacking versatility, with late goals proving decisive. In the past two months, Larne have also been adjusting to tactical tweaks introduced by their coaching staff, particularly in transitions, aiming to refine their European competitiveness.

Shamrock Rovers step into this Europa League qualifier against Egnatia with the feeling that their season has already lived several lives. Just days ago they were knocked out of the Champions League by Ararat-Armenia on aggregate, despite a spirited 2-1 home win in Tallaght that underlined their capacity to dominate on their own pitch. That disappointment has quickly morphed into opportunity, as the Albanian side now arrives in Dublin for a tie that feels perfectly timed for a response. Rovers’ squad has been tweaked in recent weeks, including the arrival of former Sligo captain Will Fitzgerald, and the mood around Tallaght is that this group is hardened rather than deflated by its European journey so far.

Domestic form over the past month quietly reinforces that sense of resilience. The league trip to Drogheda finished in a tense 0-0, a result that kept Rovers steady at the top while showcasing their control in difficult away conditions. Earlier in July, they edged Sligo Rovers 2-1, a match remembered for its late pressure and clinical finishing, and that victory is reflected in the link to the 1-2 scoreline. Add in a solid home performance against Galway in late June and you get a picture of a side that rarely loses its structure, even when the schedule tightens and the stakes rise.

Ferencváros welcome Górnik Zabrze to Budapest in a Europa League qualifying tie that arrives at a fascinating moment for both clubs. The Hungarian champions have been busy in Europe already this summer, easing past Vojvodina over two legs and edging Twente away before a tense 2:2 home draw that still sent them through on aggregate. Domestically, they closed last season strongly, including a cup triumph and a convincing 3:0 win over Zalaegerszeg. Górnik, meanwhile, step down from the Champions League path after a narrow 2:1 aggregate defeat to Fenerbahçe, so this clash doubles as a chance to reset their continental ambitions.

Recent league form paints Ferencváros as a side that blends control with cutting edge. In April they overturned a halftime deficit against Diósgyőri VTK, winning by 3-1, and just days earlier they had edged Puskás Akadémia by 2-1, both results underlining their ability to raise the tempo after the break. Even the 1:1 draw away to Kisvárda, linked here as 1-1, showed resilience as they managed the game despite not finding a late winner. Those performances, combined with their recent European clean sheets, suggest a team comfortable dictating matches at home.

Benfica step into this Europa League qualifier with the swagger of a side that has already flexed its muscles in July. After recovering from a 2–1 defeat away to St. Gallen, they demolished the Swiss club 5–0 at the Estádio da Luz to cruise through on aggregate, underlining the depth and attacking variety in their squad. Pre-season also brought a sharp 2–0 win over Villarreal and a high‑scoring 5–1 victory against Belenenses, suggesting the team is already close to competitive rhythm. Off the pitch, Benfica have been busy too, with reports linking them to Real Madrid talent Franco Mastantuono and interest from other clubs in their own forwards, reinforcing the sense of a club operating confidently on multiple fronts.

Hearts arrive in Lisbon with a very different recent European story, having suffered a heavy 4–0 defeat away to Sturm Graz in the Champions League second qualifying round. That setback has forced a quick reset, but their July friendlies showed resilience and flashes of quality: a 3–1 win over Kilmarnock behind closed doors, a 2–1 home victory against Rayo Vallecano in their 140th‑anniversary match, and a tight 1–0 success at Raith Rovers all helped rebuild momentum. The club has also stepped into a new chapter with Wouter Vrancken at the helm, tasked with turning last season’s near‑title challenge into sustained progress at home and abroad. Hearts’ blend of emerging talent and experienced campaigners makes them dangerous, even if they enter this tie as clear underdogs.

Hradec Králové’s meeting with Beşiktaş in the Europa League third qualifying round comes at a fascinating moment for both clubs. The Czech side has built real momentum over the past two months, first impressing in friendlies against strong opposition and then carrying that form into Europe. Wins over Tromsø, 0–1 away and 3–1 at home, capped an aggregate 4–1 triumph that underlined their growing confidence. Earlier July results, including a 3–0 victory at Nordsjaelland and battling draws against Metalist 1925 Kharkiv and Wolfsberger AC, have helped shape a team that looks comfortable both with and without the ball.

Beşiktaş arrive in Hradec Králové with their own story of recovery and ambition. After some uneven friendly performances in July, including defeats to Widzew Łódź and Spartak Trnava and a draw with Malženice, the Istanbul club have sharpened up just in time for continental action. Their Europa League second qualifying round against Midtjylland showed a more disciplined side: a tight 1–0 home win followed by a convincing 2–0 success in Denmark. That 3–0 aggregate victory has restored belief, and with creative options like Orkun Kökçü and Milot Rashica available, Beşiktaş look increasingly dangerous in transition.

Jagiellonia Białystok welcome Rangers to the Chorten Arena in the Europa League third qualifying round, a tie confirmed in late July 2026 and scheduled for the first leg on 6 August in Poland. The Polish side come into this campaign on the back of a strong Ekstraklasa season, finishing third in 2025–26 after winning their first-ever league title in 2023–24. Their recent European runs, including a Conference League quarter-final appearance and a narrow aggregate defeat to Fiorentina last season, underline how dangerous they have become on the continental stage. At home, they have lost only a couple of European matches in the past two seasons, building a reputation for resilience and controlled possession under Adrian Siemieniec.

Rangers arrive in this tie after finishing third in the Scottish Premiership last season, returning to a competition where they previously reached the final in 2021–22. Over the past two months, attention around Ibrox has focused on Derek McInnes shaping his squad for another deep European run, with transfer activity and pre-season fitness a recurring theme. The Europa League draw in July confirmed that the Glasgow club must first negotiate this demanding trip to north-eastern Poland before a second leg at Ibrox on 13 August. With domestic fixtures against Dundee United and Hibernian squeezed around the European dates, Rangers face an intense start to 2026–27 that will test their squad depth and tactical flexibility.

Lech Poznań welcome Klaksvik to Poznań for a Europa League qualification tie that feels like a statement opportunity for the Polish side. Niels Frederiksen’s team have mixed results lately but still show a strong attacking pulse, highlighted by a dominant 4-1 away win over AGF and a solid 3-1 home victory against Górnik Zabrze. Their Ekstraklasa opener against Cracovia finished 0-0, underlining both control and a slight lack of cutting edge in the final third. The draw against Klaksvik itself, and the Europa League schedule announcement for early August, have kept Lech firmly in the continental spotlight over the past weeks.

European form tells another part of Lech’s story. In the UEFA Conference League Round of 16 last season, they battled Shakhtar Donetsk over two legs, losing the home tie 1-3 but striking back in the away leg with a spirited 1-2 win, powered by Mikael Ishak’s brace. Those matches, still fresh in memory, showed Lech can hurt strong opposition when space opens up. Recent news has focused on squad fitness, with attention on how they manage minutes for key forwards and integrate younger defenders after that demanding European campaign.

Maccabi Tel Aviv welcome CSKA Sofia to Bloomfield Stadium in the Europa League third qualifying round, with the Israeli side riding a strong wave of form at home. Over the past two months, Maccabi have tightened up defensively and recently edged Sheriff Tiraspol 1-0 in Tel Aviv, following an emphatic 5-0 away win in the first leg. Domestic results have also shown their attacking edge, including a lively 4-2 victory over Hapoel Beer Sheva and a 2-2 draw with Hapoel Petah Tikva. With several clean sheets and a high goal average, they approach this tie with confidence and a clear intent to control possession and tempo.

CSKA Sofia arrive in Israel with their own reasons for optimism, having built a resilient run in European and domestic fixtures over the last couple of months. In Europa League action, they held Qarabağ to a 0-0 draw both home and away, underlining a compact defensive structure that travels well. In the Bulgarian league, they showed attacking punch in a narrow 3-2 win over Botev Plovdiv and stayed disciplined in a 0-0 stalemate against Slavia Sofia. This blend of stubborn defending and timely goals makes CSKA a dangerous opponent, especially if they can frustrate Maccabi’s early pressure and exploit transitions.