Home » Europa League – Group Stage Week 3 Acca – 26th October 2023
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Europa League – Group Stage Week 3 Acca – 26th October 2023
We’ve reached the third set of Group Games in the Europa League and this will be the first of home and away (or away and home) ties for the teams competing in the competition, against the same opponent from each of their groups.
For the British teams competing that means West Ham will play Olympiakos away this time out, then at home on Week 4, Rangers will play Sparta Prague away then at home and Liverpool take on Toulouse first at Anfield and then in the south of France.
Brighton though arguably have the toughest task of the British sides as they face home and away games against Ajax Amsterdam, and in truth the Seagulls need to pick up at least four points, if not six, from those two games after a stuttering start to their first ever European campaign.
There’s no doubt that the games in this competition are easier now than they will be in the Knockout Phase when the 8 teams that finish third in their Champions League group drop into this tournament. It is also about this point that the teams that have a genuine chance of winning this trophy should be targeting six points to put themselves in with the chance of qualifying for the knockout phase as early as possible.
I think the Europa League owes me a win as I’ve had a number of near misses and I think that I’m overdue a bit of good luck in this competition! Let’s hope it begins with this set of tips for this week’s action.
I incorrectly tipped West Ham to lose their first away game in this competition at Freiburg last time out and the Hammers proved me wrong with a fine 2-1 win over their German opponents. They face another tricky test here against Olympiakos who are currently at the top of the Greek League table and are unbeaten domestically this season. However, the Greek side did lose 3-2 at home to Freiburg in their opening group game and that result should give West Ham confidence here of getting something from the game. With two wins to their name already, David Moyes men sit on top of Group A and look well set to qualify for the knockout phase of the competition already. That said, a trip to Greece is never easy for any English side and I think that both sides may well eventually be happy with a point from this game.
Sparta Prague v Rangers – Home Win
Rangers were surprisingly beaten by Aris Limassol in their last game in this group, a shocking result for Rangers and one that probably saw Ex-boss Michael Beale edge towards the exit door. Philippe Clement is now in as manager and he has the task of a trip to Prague to take on Sparta for his first European game as ‘Gers boss. With all teams on three points in a tight Group C, the winner here will be at least second in the Group. However, each team has won their sole home game so far in Group C and in truth, both the fixtures this week in the group do feel to me likely to be home wins. Certainly Sparta Prague are a better team than Aris Limassol, so I am backing them to pick up the win here against Rangers.
Brighton v Ajax – Home Win
It hasn’t been the best start for Brighton in their first ever European campaign. A loss to AEK Athens in their opening game was followed by a good point in the road at Marseille. Now they face a double header against Ajax, a team with a historic record in European football, but also one suffering with a real loss of form at home and also in Europe. Many of the players that were part of Ajax’s most recent run to the Champions League semi-finals have now left the club and the next generation of stars from the production line is struggling at the moment. They lie an inconceivable 16th in the Dutch Eredivisie and have won just one league game all season, drawing their two Europa League games. Confidence is at rock bottom and I think Brighton will break their European winless streak here.
Liverpool v Toulouse – Home Win
A 2-0 win in the Merseyside derby gave Liverpool a much needed boost ahead of this game. Toulouse have lost just one of their last seven games, although there have been four draws in that run, excluding Sunday afternoon’s game with Reims. The French side are tough to beat but it is fair to say that they are not on the same level as Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp will know though that his team will have to play better than they did against Everton at the weekend in what was a lacklustre display despite the 2-0 win. However, European nights at Anfield are special and as such, I’d expect the home team to land the win.
Author: Dean Wyatt
Dean Wyatt is the founder and editor here at Acca Nation. He’s been betting sports for over 20 years and is a profitable sports trader on the exchanges.
away (or away and home) ties for the teams competing in the competition, against the same opponent from each of their groups.
