Europa League 2016/2017: Groups A B C

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Dragonite
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Europa League 2016/2017: Groups A B C

Post by Dragonite »

Group A:
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Group B:
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Group C:
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:arrow: Comments about the teams, predictions… :?:
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Post by BurningStorm »

If I had to choose which 7 teams from Bundesliga I want to play in European cups, Mainz would be 18th. After some shitty performances in the past, I expect nothing, so I only can be surprised in a positive way.
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Post by Dragonite »

Group A

Manchester United needs to prove that they’re a big club. The last two times that they played the EL, they couldn’t go further than the last 16. And the last time they played the CL they couldn’t advance from the group stages.
They’re definitely a rich club, with €185M in four new players (Bailly, Pogba, Mkhitaryan and Ibrahimovic). The most interesting novelty is the new coach, José Mourinho. He won the UEFA Cup in the last time that he played it, will he also win the EL? Just like Manchester United, he also needs it to restore his reputation.

Fenerbahçe also has a new coach, Dick Advocaat, who is also a former UEFA Cup winner.
But unlike Mourinho, he has already returned to the UEFA Cup/EL a few times. His last campaign, taking AZ Alkmaar to the quarter finals, was good. The one before that wasn’t… he was eliminated in the EL groups with PSV Eindhoven, a club that before his arrival used to go further.
Fenerbahçe also signed several players; the biggest surprise is Fernandão’s absence, their top scorer last season.

Feyenoord is back to the EL, after missing last season’s edition. Two seasons ago they managed to win a group against future winner Sevilla. Can they also threaten Manchester United or Fenerbahçe this time?

Zorya will have its EL debut. In the previous two seasons they were eliminated in the playoffs by Feyenoord, that they’ll meet again now, and by Legia Warsaw. They were lucky to get direct qualification this time; I doubt they’d survive the qualifiers if they had to play them. And no way will they survive this group, they’ll be lucky to win a single match.

Prediction
1. Manchester United
2. Fenerbahçe
3. Feyenoord
4. Zorya
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Post by Dragonite »

Group B

Olympiakos will play the EL group stages for the first time. This isn’t their EL debut; they’ve played the EL four times in the last five seasons, always coming from the CL groups. This time they arrived earlier.
It reminds me of Ajax that also arrived to the EL in December, coming from the CL groups. And last season, when they arrived earlier, they couldn’t advance from the EL group stages.
These teams are so used to finish third in their groups, that perhaps someone should remind them that in the EL a third place is game over.
Olympiakos was third in the 2008/2009 UEFA Cup groups, and back then it was still enough to advance, but now it isn’t.
They had an interesting coaching change: Marco Silva out, (the man that never won an EL match) and Paulo Bento in (the man that never lost one). That seems promising.

APOEL is back to the EL group stages. Last season a Astana late goal sent them here (they’ll meet Astana again here), and this season the same happened with FC Copenhagen.
It’s the third time that they’ll play the EL groups, in the first they were third placed with 5 points, and last season was actually worse; they were last with only 3 points. I doubt it will be much better than this now… 3-5 points, not enough to advance.

Young Boys is back to the EL groups, after missing them last season.
They already eliminated last season’s EL semifinalists Shakhtar Donetsk some weeks ago, before being eliminated by Borussia Monchengladbach. That looks promising – the elimination of Shakhtar Donetsk, not being eliminated later.
Young Boys’ EL record also seems promising. They played the EL group stages thrice, went further twice, and even when they couldn’t go further they finished with 10 points, leveled on points with the first and second placed teams, Liverpool and Anzhi.
With Young Boys scoring points like they did in the past (9, 10 and 12 in their previous three campaigns) they should advance here, perhaps even win the group.

Astana impressed in last season’s CL, getting 4 points… although they haven’t won a single match, getting four draws. Anyway, 4 points in a CL group with Atlético Madrid, Benfica and Galatasaray, should be the equivalent to at least double in an EL group with Olympiakos, APOEL and Young Boys.

Prediction
1. Young Boys
2. Astana
3. Olympiakos
4. APOEL
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Post by Dragonite »

Group C

Anderlecht will play a group stage for the eighth consecutive season.
What the previous seven say is that they advance from EL groups (even hard groups like last season with Tottenham, Monaco and Qarabag), and don’t advance from CL groups. This is an EL group, so…
They changed a lot compared to last season, new coach, several new players… They already disappointed in the CL qualifiers, losing at home against Rostov after getting a promising 2-2 draw away. They demonstrated their strength though in the EL playoffs against Slavia Prague with two wins, aggregate score 6-0.


Saint-Étienne is becoming an EL frequent participant. They will play the EL groups for the third consecutive season. It could have been the fourth, but in 2013/2014 they were eliminated in the playoffs. However, in the following three seasons, including this one, they always reached the EL groups surviving the playoffs, not qualifying directly.
Their EL record in the previous two seasons was 3-8-3. They don’t win many games, but they don’t lose many games either, their usual result is a draw (57%).
They signed two players from one of their opponents last season, Rosenborg (Selnaes and Soderlund)… interesting.

Mainz is the opposite of Saint-Étienne, they were in the EL qualifiers twice recently, weren’t capable of advancing a single time, but this time they were still rewarded with a direct qualification.
Now we’ll see in the EL groups if they’re better in group stages than in qualifiers, or if they’re really as bad as they seem.

Qabala is also the anti-Mainz. While Mainz qualifies directly to the EL groups despite its previous failures, Qabala has to play qualifiers – all of them!!
For the second season in a row they started in the EL first qualifying round, and survived all the way to the group stages. Last season they eliminated Dinamo Tbilisi, Cukaricki, Apollon and Panathinaikos, and this season they eliminated Samtredia, MTK Budapest, Lille and Maribor.
How many decades would Mainz need to advance eight rounds? Qabala did it in just two years.
Last season Qabala couldn’t win a single match in the EL groups, only two draws against PAOK. Hopefully this time it will be better.

Prediction
1. Anderlecht
2. Saint-Étienne
3. Qabala
4. Mainz
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Post by Firnen »

Group A is not so clear as it seems. United will play with their B squad, Fenerbahce does not look good and on the contrary, Feyenoord does. I expect a fight between these 3 for the top 2 spots. Zorya is not a teem to be underestimated and can take points in Ukraine.

Group B has a team that can take 13-18 points, Olympiacos, and three teams to fight for 2nd place with probably 8-9 point. Olympiacos is CL level, Young Boys is over's joy for books, APOEL and Astana are strong at home and weak away. I'd give APOEL an edge for 2nd place because they host Olympiacos in MD6.

Group C the less bad shall pass ! Mainz is problematic, Saint Etienne is a usual mediocre team, Anderlecht on the same level more or less. Qabala has the know-how of surprises but I dont see them proceeding. Saint Etienne and Anderlecht maybe but really really tough..
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Post by og2002gr »

Group A
One of the strongest groups.

Manchester United: they used to be one of the CL semifinals regulars. In the last years we almost have forgotten them when final rounds are played. The expensive signings and Mourinho have brought them back as a favorite to even win EL. This strong group may put them in the mood faster.

Fenerbahce: they were good in qualification rounds. First they were competitive in their unlucky draw against Monaco (who then eliminated Villarreal and yesterday won Tottenham in London) and then they destroyed Grasshoppers. Their last three EL campaigns were successful, and they are the favorites to continue it.

Feyenoord: last time they were in EL GS they won a difficult group, but this one is even more difficult. Still they are expected to show big resistance.

Zorya: they are like a man who gets a free invitation to a big party because of his big brothers acquaintances. A difficult journey is expected.

1. Manchester United 75%
2. Fenerbahce 60%
3. Feyenoord 45%
4. Zorya 20%


Group B
All teams here were dropped from CL qualifiers!

Olympiacos: they are one of the most experienced team in Group Stages. But CL ones. This is just their first appearence here! Most people and bet companies consider Olympiacos as the favorite too win any of the 6 games in this group. Maybe they have in mind the team that usually takes 7-8-9 points in CL and take some big wins. Some others may have in mind the team that were shocked by Hapoel Beer Sheva and just survived against Arouca. Which Olympiacos will play? Even greek fans aren't sure, since Olympiacos has already changed 2 managers, and most signings were completed a few weeks ago. I guess they will qualify but they will struggle much.

Young Boys: First they proudly eliminated a CL regular (Shakhtar) before being shamefully eliminated by Gladbach. Unstable team, #2 of a better league with EL GS experience and two qualifications. It is going to be an interesting confrontation thanks to their style of play.

APOEL: they even lost against their favorite opponents (nords), so things look [retty bad. Last season they were eliminated against Astana finished beyond Asteras Tripolis and Sparta Praha. It is seems they will finish again behind Olympiacos and Young Boys and will try to match Astana.

Astana: second group stage in a row is already a big deal! Last season they did a good job taking 4 draws in a CL level. They should do something better in EL level.

1. Olympiacos 55%
2. Young Boys 55%
3. Astana 45%
4. APOEL 45%


Group C

Anderlecht: they never fail in EL groups. This group is quite difficult but last season they survived a more difficult one.

Saint-Etienne: solid team, having gained experience after their two previous participations.

Mainz: this time they skipped their nightmare (EL qr) taking the direct spot to group stage. Unlike their opponents, they have shown nothing in Europe yet. Is it the time to change that?

Qabala: the most successful outsider of recent times? 8/8 qualifications as unseeded sounds impossible. Already with some experience, they should make impact on Group Stage too, so as not to be unseeded in the next seasons.

1. Anderlecht 60%
2. Saint-Etienne 60%
3. Mainz 55%
4. Qabala 25%
fewer spots :arrow: weaker leagues :arrow: fewer spots :arrow: weaker leagues :arrow: fewer spots :arrow: weaker leagues

http://kassiesa.net/uefa/forum2/viewtop ... 52#p359852
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Post by APOEL »

APOEL 2-1 Astana and top of the group 8).. Should've been 3 or maybe 4-0.. Astana is by far weaker than they were last year, they scored in their only attempt.. Think now Olympiakos and APOEL are the favourites of winning this group.
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Post by bjkman1903 »

Dragonite wrote:Group A
...
Fenerbahçe also signed several players; the biggest surprise is Fernandão’s absence, their top scorer last season.

Fernandão wasn't fit (a little bit like "fat" Higuain) and is currently Fener's 4th choice striker (Sow / Emenike / v.Persie are the team's main strikers)

Fener continues their bad performance in the league and barely managed to get a point. What's more worrying is not the two points lost but the football played. On top of that Feyenoord got a surprising win over Man U to make things worse.

Fener v Feyenoord next MD has already become critical, as in my opinion Fener would need at least 4 points v the Dutch team if they want to advance from this group.
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Post by Dragonite »

Group A
Fenerbahçe 7 points
Feyenoord 7
Manchester United 6
Zorya 2

Next MD:
Fenerbahçe vs. Zorya
Manchester United vs. Feyenoord


Feyenoord will qualify with a win in England
Fenerbahçe will qualify if they win their match and Feyenoord also wins (with “only” a draw in the other match, Fenerbahçe will be 3 points above Manchester United but with head-to-head disadvantage)
Manchester United will be eliminated if they lose and Fenerbahçe wins
Zorya will be eliminated if they don’t win


Group B
APOEL 9 points
Olympiakos 7
Young Boys 4
Astana 2

Next MD:
Astana vs. APOEL
Olympiakos vs. Young Boys

APOEL will qualify with a win, or if Young Boys can’t win its match
Olympiakos will qualify if they don’t lose
Young Boys will be eliminated if they don’t win
Astana will be eliminated unless they win and Olympiakos loses


Group C
Anderlecht 8 points
Saint-Étienne 8
Mainz 5
Qabala 0 (Eliminated)

Next MD:
Qabala vs. Anderlecht
Saint-Étienne vs. Mainz

Anderlecht will qualify with a win, or a draw will be enough if Mainz doesn’t win its match
Saint-Étienne will qualify with a win or a 0-0 draw
Mainz will be eliminated if they lose, or if they draw 0-0 and Anderlecht wins


Qabala is already eliminated.
It seems a terrible campaign if we’re only looking at the group stages – 4 defeats in 4 matches.
However, the EL for them started a lot earlier; they had to eliminate four teams just to get here – Samtredia, MTK, Lille and Maribor.
Eliminating Lille, with stars like Enyeama, Mavuba, Marcos Lopes, Éder… was a great achievement! :clapping:

Perhaps they can still do something in their remaining two group stage matches, to at least avoid a 0-0-6, maybe even winning one match (which they failed to do last season).
Anyway, even if they don’t, for a team like Qabala, reaching the EL group stages two seasons in a row is great achievement!
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Post by Overgame »

Technically, Anderlecht isn't qualified with only a win. If Mainz wins both games against Saint-Etienne, the 3 teams could end with 11 points. Saint-Etienne still have to play against both Anderlecht and Mainz, if Saint-Etienne loses 10-0 against Mainz and wins 10-0 against Anderlecht, Anderlecht is out with 11 points.
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Post by bugylibicska »

Zorya - on paper - still could qualify, though surely that would be stretching credulity. Of course, they must win their 2 remaining games: away to Fenerbahce and ``at home`` (not really, but in Odessa) to MU. And they`d need 2 other results to go their way, as well. Firstly Feyenoord must not lose in Manchester and Fenerbahce must not win in Rotterdam. These last 2 conditions I`m willing to believe not impossible, but concerning the 2 wins Zorya should deliver...a different story.
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Post by bjkman1903 »

Firnen wrote:Group A is not so clear as it seems. United will play with their B squad, Fenerbahce does not look good and on the contrary, Feyenoord does. I expect a fight between these 3 for the top 2 spots. Zorya is not a teem to be underestimated and can take points in Ukraine.
Fenerbahçe does not look good based on what? :) They recovered greatly after a bad start of season -

Last 4 games -

Konya 0-1 Fener
Fener 5-0 Karabük
Fener 2-1 Man U
Akhisar 1-3 Fener.

And imo they are likely to win the derby today v Galatasaray.

For Feyenoord it is the contrary as they couldn't win once in the last 3 games.

I expect Fener to qualify and either Man U or Feyenoord will fail.
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Post by Feyenoord_1908 »

Missing 2 important defenders in Manchester, Feyenoord will probably lose. Fener will win their match.

Decision will be made in the last match, and having a team 10 points not getting to the next round likely
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Post by Dragonite »

Group A
Fenerbahçe 10 points
Manchester United 9
Feyenoord 7
Zorya 2 (Eliminated)

Final MD:
Zorya vs. Manchester United
Feyenoord vs. Fenerbahçe

Zorya is eliminated and sure to finish last. Another waste of an EL direct spot…

Manchester United will surely advance if they win today. The mighty Manchester United winning against tiny already eliminated Zorya, it seems an inevitable thing.
But is it really?

How many matches has Manchester United won away recently?
They lost in Holland against Feyenoord and in Turkey against Fenerbahçe.
They also lost against PSV and Wolfsburg last season, and got a draw in Russia vs. CSKA Moscow, and then lost in Denmark against Midtjylland and finally away against Liverpool.
So, they couldn’t win any of their last 7 away matches. After knowing this, perhaps Zorya’s chances aren’t that bad. They’re not as good as any of these Manchester United opponents, but Manchester United is also much worse than what it used to be 5-6 years ago.

Actually a draw may also be enough for Manchester United, even a defeat will keep them alive, as long as Feyenoord doesn’t win against Fenerbahçe.

Fenerbahçe only needs a draw, but they must win to keep the first spot. With a draw, Manchester United may catch them.

Feyenoord must win, they’re usually good at home, but Roma defeated them at home in 2015, and Fenerbahçe now doesn’t even have to defeat them again, a draw will have the same effect.
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