MY ACCOUNT
This season sees the second edition of the Europa Conference League, which brought a first European success for Roma last term.
There are a number of big names from across the continent taking their place in Europe’s third-tier tournament, with many holding serious hopes that they can lift the trophy in June.
With the third-placed Europa League teams entering the tournament after Christmas, it’s hard to pin your colours to the mast ahead of the group matches but here is a look at some of the standout candidates.
Hammers capable of long road
West Ham enjoyed a first European campaign in five seasons last term, with David Moyes’ men reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League.
This season the Hammers take on the challenge of the Conference League and look to have even more strength in depth to go deep in this competition.
As well as keeping many of their top stars, with the likes of Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen remaining at the London Stadium, they have also made some valuable attacking additions.
Maxwel Cornet and Gianluca Scamacca offer Moyes more firepower, while Lucas Paqueta is another signing with top-level international experience.
West Ham impressed on the road last season, winning two and drawing one of their three Europa League group away games, and you would expect them to collect a similar tally at Silkborg, Anderlecht and FCSB this time around.
Big names can help Nice shine
The lure of the south of France has seen Nice bring in a number of well-known faces during the close season and their squad looks strong.
Despite a poor start to the domestic campaign, Les Aiglons look primed to enjoy a decent run in the Conference League, with their squad rich in European experience.
The likes of Kasper Schmeichel, Aaron Ramsey and Sofiane Diop all have plenty of European matches under their belt, whilst the loan addition of Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe adds firepower going forward.
That experience will come in very handy for tricky trips to Germany and Serbia, as they face FC Koln and Partizan Belgrade in Group D.
Basaksehir could cause a stir
Istanbul Basaksehir head into the group stage having made a solid start to the Turkish league season, unbeaten after four matches with three wins and a draw.
Having seen off Antwerp in the play-offs, Emre Belozoglu’s side pose a real threat to their rivals going forward and also look solid at the back.
Basaksehir have scored eight times in their opening four Super Lig games and are yet to concede. Italian international Stefano Okaka normally leads the line, while the likes of former Spurs man Nacer Chadli chip in with key goals.
Although the Turkish outfit have Fiorentina in their group, with Hearts and Latvian side RFS making up Group A, Basaksehir will expect to make it through to the knockout stages.
