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Founded in 2021/2022, the Europa Conference League has quickly become an exciting addition to European football. It provides quality teams—those that missed out on the UEFA Champions League or UEFA Europa League—with a platform to showcase their talent on the third-highest stage in European football. This competition is also a popular league for football betting, with fans eager to make predictions. But how do you place your bets? Do you rely on gut feeling, luck, or detailed data analysis? While all these factors play a role, nothing is as effective as a data-based Predictions API to gain an edge.
UEFA Conference League: League Phase Standings
Before diving deeper into Chelsea’s favourite status, let’s first analyze the current UEFA Conference League standings. With the league phase concluded, the competition is now moving into the knockout rounds—but which teams have secured their spot?
Here’s a breakdown of the standings and what they mean for the next stage of the tournament.
Teams Advancing Directly to the Round of 16
The top 8 teams in the league phase automatically qualify for the Round of 16, avoiding the extra knockout Round. These teams have dominated the group stage and now enjoy a direct path to the last 16, giving them extra rest and preparation time.
🟢 Teams advancing directly to the Round of 16:
1️⃣ Chelsea – Perfect record! Six wins in six games, 26 goals scored, and only 5 conceded. The Blues were unstoppable, finishing with 18 points—the highest in the league phase.
2️⃣ Vitória SC – The Portuguese side impressed with 4 wins, 2 draws, and just 6 goals conceded, showing solid defensive discipline.
3️⃣ Fiorentina—Last season’s runners-up, Fiorentina, secured their place with 13 points, proving they remain a serious contender.
4️⃣ Rapid Wien – The Austrian club matched FFiorentina’s13 points, showing consistency throughout the league phase.
5️⃣ Djurgården – The Swedish side also finished with 13 points, boasting one of the tournament’s strongest defenses.
6️⃣ Lugano – A solid campaign from the Swiss team, who finished with 13 points and are now looking ahead to the knockout stage.
7️⃣ Legia Warsaw – Despite two losses, their 12-point haul was enough to secure a direct qualification spot.
8️⃣ Cercle Brugge – The Belgian club edged out competitors with 11 points, completing the top 8.
These teams will now skip the knockout round play-offs and advance directly to the Round of 16, giving them a crucial advantage in the tournament.
Teams Qualifying for the Knockout Round Play-Offs
Teams finishing 9th to 24th in the standings will have to go through an extra knockout play-off round to reach the last 16. These teams will face each other in two-legged ties, with the winners progressing.
⚔️ Teams qualifying for the play-offs:
9️⃣ Jagiellonia Białystok (11 pts)
🔟 Shamrock Rovers (11 pts)
1️⃣1️⃣ APOEL (11 pts)
1️⃣2️⃣ Pafos (10 pts)
1️⃣3️⃣ Panathinaikos (10 pts)
1️⃣4️⃣ Olimpija (10 pts)
1️⃣5️⃣ Real Betis (10 pts)
1️⃣6️⃣ Heidenheim (10 pts)
1️⃣7️⃣ Gent (9 pts)
1️⃣8️⃣ Copenhagen (8 pts)
1️⃣9️⃣ Vikingur Reykjavik (8 pts)
2️⃣0️⃣ Borac (8 pts)
2️⃣1️⃣ Celje (7 pts)
2️⃣2️⃣ Omonia (7 pts)
2️⃣3️⃣ Molde (7 pts)
2️⃣4️⃣ TSC (7 pts)
These teams will now have to battle it out for a spot in the Round of 16, with higher-ranked teams being slight favourites heading into the play-offs.
Eliminated Teams
With the league phase concluded, not all teams will progress to the knockout rounds. The bottom 12 teams in the standings have been eliminated from the competition, marking the end of their European journey this season.
While some clubs fought hard but fell just short, others struggled to keep up with the competition. Let’s examine the eliminated teams and what went wrong for them.
❌ Teams Eliminated from the UEFA Conference League (25th – 36th place):
2️⃣5️⃣ Hearts – 7 points (-3 GD) – Decent effort, but not enough to make the cut.
2️⃣6️⃣ Istanbul Basaksehir – 6 points (-3 GD) – One of the bigger names to miss out, struggled with inconsistency.
2️⃣7️⃣ Mladá Boleslav – 6 points (-3 GD) – Defensive issues cost them crucial games.
2️⃣8️⃣ Astana – 5 points (-4 GD) – Lacked attacking firepower.
2️⃣9️⃣ St. Gallen – 5 points (-8 GD) – Conceded 18 goals, one of the worst defensive records.
3️⃣0️⃣ HJK – 4 points (-6 GD) – A brutal campaign for the Finnish club.
3️⃣1️⃣ Noah – 4 points (-10 GD) – Couldn’t keep up with the competition.
3️⃣2️⃣ The New Saints – 3 points (-5 GD) – Managed only one win in six games.
3️⃣3️⃣ Dinamo Minsk – 3 points (-9 GD) – Conceded too many goals.
3️⃣4️⃣ Larne – 3 points (-9 GD) – Struggled in both attack and defense.
3️⃣5️⃣ LASK Linz – 3 points (-10 GD) – A disappointing campaign for the Austrian side.
3️⃣6️⃣ Petrocub – 2 points (-9 GD) – Finished last in the standings with zero wins.
Why were these teams eliminated?
Poor defensive records: Many of these clubs conceded too many goals, making competing at a higher level difficult.
Lack of firepower: Teams like Petrocub and HJK struggled to score, which severely hurt their chances.
Inconsistent form: Istanbul Basaksehir and Mladá Boleslav showed flashes of quality but lacked consistency.
Tough competition: The new league phase format meant only the top 24 teams progressed, making qualification even more challenging.
Overall Key Takeaways from the League Phase
Chelsea’s dominance: The only team with a 100% record and the highest goal difference (+21). They head into the knockouts as clear favourites.
Surprise packages: Vitória SC, Rapid Wien, and Djurgården had outstanding campaigns, finishing among the top 8.
Big names in danger: Real Betis and Copenhagen will need to fight through the play-offs after failing to crack the top 8.
Balanced competition: The standings show how competitive the Conference League is, with many teams finishing within just a few points of each other.
Looking Ahead: Europa Conference League Predictions
With the league phase now complete, the knockout rounds are set to bring even more drama, intensity, and surprises. While 24 teams remain in contention, only a handful have the quality to go all the way—and one club stands above the rest.
Chelsea has dominated the competition so far, finishing the league phase with a perfect record, the highest goal difference (+21), and an unstoppable attack. With their blend of youthful energy, European experience, and tactical versatility, the Blues are widely seen as the top contender for the Europa Conference League trophy.
But what makes Chelsea the clear favourite? Let’s break it down, starting with their biggest strength: unmatched squad depth.
1. Chelsea’s squad depth is unmatched
One of Chelsea’s biggest advantages in the Europa Conference League is its world-class squad depth for the Conference League. Unlike many teams in the competition that rely on a handful of key players, Chelsea has elite-quality backups in every position.
🔹 Top-tier attackers: Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Pedro Neto provide a variety of attacking options.
🔹 Dominant midfield: Enzo Fernández, Cole Palmer (if he gets registered for the knock-outs) and Moisés Caicedo bring creativity, work rate, and defensive stability.
🔹 Rock-solid defense: With Marc Cucurella, and Benoît Badiashile, Chelsea has one of the best backlines in the tournament. With even one European Championship winner!
While other clubs struggle with squad rotation, Chelsea can field a strong lineup in both the Premier League and the Conference League, keeping their players fresh for every stage of the competition.
2. Tactical strength under Enzo Maresca
Enzo Maresca was appointed Chelsea’s head coach on June 3, 2024, replacing Mauricio Pochettino. Chelsea’s tactical approach under Maresca makes them even more dangerous in European competitions. Unlike some Conference League teams that rely on a single style, Chelsea can easily adapt to different opponents.
🔹 High-pressing game: Chelsea’s pressing intensity makes it difficult for smaller teams to build from the back.
🔹 Defensive structure: Maresca’ssystem ensures a compact defense, minimizing mistakes against counter-attacking sides.
🔹 Attacking flexibility: The team can switch between direct attacks, possession-based football, and quick transitions, making them unpredictable.
Let’s take a look at the last two games of Chelsea in the Conference League.
Analysing Chelsea’s results so far
Chelsea vs Shamrock Rovers (5-1)
With a convincing 5-1 win, Chelsea again established itself as a top contender for the fourth title of the Europa Conference League. Chelsea showcased their high-pressing attacking football with 73% ball possession, 720 passes, 91% pass accuracy, 79 dangerous attacks, and 13 attempts on goal. They started the match with a 4-2-3-1 formation with experienced players like Marc Cucurella and Christopher Nkunku alongside youthful players and some of the more considerable talents in the likes of Noni Madueke and, of course, Marc Guiu, who notched a hattrick. Their starting players and formation were very different from their previous match when they faced Astana away from home.
Astana vs Chelsea (1-3)
Chelsea demonstrated their squad depth with a starting formation of 3-3-1-3 and four(!) different players. Nevertheless, their attacking and dominating football power was no different. With 69% ball possession, 682 passes, a pass accuracy of 92% and 17 goal attempts, they again showcased how they can dominate the game. Without the experience of players like Cucurella and Nkunku, but with the talents of Guiu, Pedro Neto and Tyrique George, they had amazing attacking power.
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4. Financial power to strengthen the squad
Unlike many clubs in the Europa Conference League, Chelsea has the financial backing to invest in new players if needed. Unlike previous seasons, Chelsea was quite on the transfer market. They took the time to put players on loan and officially promoted youth players like Tyrique Goerge and Josh Acheampong to the first squad. Additionally, they signed Mathis Amougou for €15 million, A talented French central midfielder.
While other teams might struggle with injuries or fatigue, Chelsea’s financial flexibility allows them to remain competitive throughout the season.
5. A favourable level of opposition
Let’s be honest—while there are strong teams in the Europa Conference League, Chelsea is a level above most of them. Compared to the Champions League or even the Europa League, this competition has fewer elite clubs, making Chelsea’s path to the final much easier.
⚽ Who are Chelsea’s biggest biggest rivals?
🇵🇹 Vitória SC: is a tough Portuguese opponent, but Chelsea has more European experience.
🇮🇹 Fiorentina: A strong Serie A side who even reached the past two Europa Conference league finals but failed to win both times.
🇧🇪 Cercle Brugge: One of the biggest surprises of the league phase was Cercle Brugge. They even secured a place in the top eight. Earning Cercle Brugge a direct spot in the eight finals and avoiding the knockout stages.
While these teams are solid, none match Chelsea’s overall quality, squad depth, and tactical flexibility. As long as Chelsea takes the competition seriously, they are the overwhelming favourites to win.
Final Verdict: Chelsea is the team to beat
With their unmatched squad depth, tactical flexibility, European experience, financial strength, and favourable level of opposition, Chelsea is the top favourite to win the Europa Conference League.
While there are other strong teams in the competition, few can match Chelsea’s overall quality and resources. If the Blues take the tournament seriously, expect them to lift the trophy at the end of the season.
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How to make smarter Europa Conference League Predictions
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🔹 Use Football Prediction APIs: Advanced AI-driven predictions analyze real-time data to forecast match outcomes.
🔹 Follow squad rotation trends: Some teams prioritize their domestic leagues over European competitions.
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🔹 Analyze head-to-head stats: Past results can give valuable insights into upcoming matchups.
By combining real-time football data with smart betting strategies, you can increase your chances of making successful Europa Conference League predictions.
FAQ about the Conference League
The UEFA Europa Conference League follows a new league phase format introduced for the 2024/25 season:
- League Phase: 36 teams compete in a single league, each playing six matches (three home, three away) against different opponents.
- Knockout Rounds:
- The top 8 teams in the league standings qualify directly for the Round of 16.
- Teams ranked 9th to 24th enter a knockout round play-off, with winners advancing to the Round of 16.
- From the Round of 16 onward, the format is a two-legged knockout until the final, which is a single match at a neutral venue.
The winner of the Europa Conference League earns a place in the following season's UEFA Europa League group stage.
The 2024/25 Europa Conference League final will be held on May 28, 2025, at the Estadio San Mamés in Bilbao, Spain. This will be the first time Bilbao hosts a major UEFA club final, adding to the excitement of the competition's climax.
The 2024/25 UEFA Europa Conference League features 36 teams in the league phase, representing various European leagues. Below is the full list of teams competing in this season's tournament:
Teams Advancing Directly to the Round of 16 (Top 8 in the league phase):
1️⃣ Chelsea (England)
2️⃣ Vitória SC (Portugal)
3️⃣ Fiorentina (Italy)
4️⃣ Rapid Wien (Austria)
5️⃣ Djurgården (Sweden)
6️⃣ Lugano (Switzerland)
7️⃣ Legia Warsaw (Poland)
8️⃣ Cercle Brugge (Belgium)
Teams Qualifying for the Knockout Round Play-Offs (9th-24th place):
9️⃣ Jagiellonia Białystok (Poland)
🔟 Shamrock Rovers (Ireland)
1️⃣1️⃣ APOEL (Cyprus)
1️⃣2️⃣ Pafos (Cyprus)
1️⃣3️⃣ Panathinaikos (Greece)
1️⃣4️⃣ Olimpija (Slovenia)
1️⃣5️⃣ Real Betis (Spain)
1️⃣6️⃣ Heidenheim (Germany)
1️⃣7️⃣ Gent (Belgium)
1️⃣8️⃣ Copenhagen (Denmark)
1️⃣9️⃣ Vikingur Reykjavik (Iceland)
2️⃣0️⃣ Borac (Bosnia & Herzegovina)
2️⃣1️⃣ Celje (Slovenia)
2️⃣2️⃣ Omonia (Cyprus)
2️⃣3️⃣ Molde (Norway)
2️⃣4️⃣ TSC (Serbia)
Eliminated Teams (25th-36th place):
2️⃣5️⃣ Hearts (Scotland)
2️⃣6️⃣ Istanbul Başakşehir (Turkey)
2️⃣7️⃣ Mladá Boleslav (Czech Republic)
2️⃣8️⃣ Astana (Kazakhstan)
2️⃣9️⃣ St. Gallen (Switzerland)
3️⃣0️⃣ HJK (Finland)
3️⃣1️⃣ Noah (Armenia)
3️⃣2️⃣ The New Saints (Wales)
3️⃣3️⃣ Dinamo Minsk (Belarus)
3️⃣4️⃣ Larne (Northern Ireland)
3️⃣5️⃣ LASK Linz (Austria)
3️⃣6️⃣ Petrocub (Moldova)
These 36 clubs battled in the league phase, with the top 24 teams advancing to the knockout rounds and the bottom 12 eliminated. As the tournament progresses, the knockout rounds determine which clubs push further toward the final.
The UEFA Europa Conference League was first introduced in the 2021/22 season, meaning there have been only three past winners so far:
🏆 2021/22 – AS Roma (Italy) – Defeated Feyenoord 1-0 in the final.
🏆 2022/23 – West Ham United (England) – Beat Fiorentina 2-1 with a late winner.
🏆 2023/24 – Olympiacos (Greece) – Became the first Greek team to win a European trophy, defeating Fiorentina 1-0 in extra time.
No club has won the Europa Conference League more than once, so the 2024/25 winner will have the chance to make history.
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