Progress of EPL Teams in UEFA Competitions

Although this has not been a particularly good week for EPL clubs, English sides are making significant strides this season in UEFA competitions, showcasing the Premier League’s strength on the European stage.

As we are now at the halfway point of the league phase of all three UEFA competitions, we have decided to take a look and evaluate the prospects of each participating English team in the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League for the 2024/25 season, considering their current standings, performances, and potential challenges.

UEFA Champions League

Participants: Liverpool, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Arsenal

The 2024/25 UCL has introduced a new format, featuring a single league phase where each of the 36 teams plays eight matches against different opponents. The top eight teams advance directly to the round of 16, while teams ranked 9th to 24th enter the knockout phase playoffs.

Liverpool

Liverpool have been impeccable, winning all four matches and leading the league phase with 12 points. They are also the only team to have won all four games so far. Their victories include a commanding 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen and a 3-1 triumph against AC Milan.

The team’s consistent form and depth suggest a strong likelihood of advancing directly to the round of 16. Their experience in European competitions, coupled with a robust squad, positions them as serious contenders for the title.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa has made an impressive return to European competition, securing three wins and one loss, placing them 8th in the standings. Notable performances include a 2-0 victory over Bologna and a 3-0 win against Young Boys, but the cherry on the top was certainly the 1-0 win over German giants Bayern Munich.

Their current position suggests a strong chance of advancing to the knockout stages. However, maintaining consistency against more formidable opponents will be crucial for their progression.

Manchester City

Manchester City has had a mixed campaign, with two wins, one draw, and one loss, placing them 10th in the league phase. A notable setback was the 4-1 defeat to Sporting CP on Tuesday.

Despite this, City’s squad depth and tactical acumen under their experienced manager provide them with the tools to recover and secure a place in the knockout stages. Their previous successes in domestic and European competitions underscore their potential to contend for the title.

Arsenal

Arsenal have recorded two wins, one draw, and one loss, leaving them 12th in the standings. A significant victory was the 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.

While their current standing places them within reach of the knockout phase playoffs, Arsenal will need to enhance their consistency and performance against top-tier teams to advance further. Their young and dynamic squad has the potential, but experience and resilience will be key factors.

UEFA Europa League

Participants: Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United

The UEL has also adopted a new format similar to the UCL, with a single league phase comprising 36 teams. The top eight teams progress directly to the Round of 16, while teams ranked 9th to 24th enter the knockout phase playoffs.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham has secured three wins and one loss, placing them 7th in the standings. A recent 3-2 defeat to Galatasaray ended their perfect start. Despite this setback, Tottenham’s overall performance has been strong, and they remain well-positioned to advance directly to the round of 16. Their attacking prowess and depth in the squad make them strong contenders for the UEL title.

Manchester United

Manchester United has had a challenging campaign, with one win and three draws, placing them 15th in the standings. A recent 2-0 victory over PAOK, featuring a brace from Amad Diallo, marked their first league phase win.

To progress to the knockout stages, United will need to build on this momentum and secure more victories in the remaining matches. Their rich history in European competitions and experienced squad could play pivotal roles in their advancement. Another very interesting factor will be their incoming new manager Ruben Amorim.

UEFA Europa Conference League

Participant: Chelsea

The UECL follows a similar league phase format, with 36 teams competing. The top eight teams advance directly to the Round of 16, while teams ranked 9th to 24th enter the knockout phase playoffs.

However, in the UECL teams will only play six games in the league phase as opposed to the eight matches that teams in the other two competitions will have to play.

Chelsea

Chelsea has been dominant, winning all three matches and topping the league phase with maximum points. They have scored an impressive 16 goals, including an 8-0 victory over Armenian side Noah.

Their current form and squad depth make them strong favourites to win the UECL. The team’s experience in European competitions and tactical versatility further bolster their chances of securing the title.

Conclusion

English clubs are demonstrating strong performances across all UEFA competitions in the 2024/25 season. Liverpool and Chelsea are leading their respective league phases, showcasing their potential to secure European titles.

Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are also in favourable positions to advance to the knockout stages, while Manchester City and Arsenal have the quality to improve their standings. Manchester United faces a more challenging path but has the experience to navigate through.

Overall, the prospects for English teams to win UEFA competitions this season are promising, reflecting the strength and competitiveness of the Premier League on the European stage.

We feel that Chelsea have probably the best chance of securing European glory, as they are far and away the team to beat in the Europa Conference League.