UEFA Europa Conference League Qualifying Stage Tips and Predictions

Summary

The UEFA Europa Conference League is a competition that was introduced in 2021 featuring extra teams from the European region who miss out on Champions League and Europa qualification.

The competition expands the world’s ability to view different, exotic teams within the region and how they may stack versus the best of the best.

In 2021, the league was a huge success and provided football fans with another unique competition in which they could see their favorite teams fare in an intercontinental environment.

Domestic play within countries is a footballing tradition, but the expansion of tournaments to things like this is what makes the sport truly evolve and great.

Many organizations who never thought they could take a spot in Europe have an opportunity to make history within their clubs which makes it all the much better.

Some of the continent’s best teams have fallen into the lap of the Conference League which makes the field stronger.

Overall, the move by UEFA to implement the competition adds a layer of incentive for clubs in Europe as well as help out the exposure of football in the process!

Stake.com is the place to be this UEFA Conference League season!

Matchday Previews and Analysis

Game 1 - Molde (Norway) vs Elfsborg (Sweden)

Molde is a historic club within not only Norway, but all of Europe.

The club that helped develop Erling Haaland in his native home, Molde has European pedigree whether it be in the Champions League or Europa league.

Unfortunately, recent results in EL qualification have knocked them down into the Conference League which means this is their last chance to have intercontinental play.

From a talent perspective, Molde has no shortage of creativity and scoring ability.

The past few seasons in Norway, Molde ranks in the top three within chance creation and goals scored.

Prolific on the pitch, their talent often is looked at by bigger European clubs and their motivation will be on fire this Thursday.

Elfsborg is a consistent top performer in the Swedish Superettan, and their work has landed them in European leagues frequently.

The backbone of this team relies on the defense and their ability to score on the counter.

Swedish football is often dictated by the physical ability of their players and that translates to most leagues.

If Elsborg wants to make a mark on this tie they need to get on the front foot early and try to score a leg on goal one.

When it comes to controlling the pace, Elfsborg has the weapons they need. But getting on the score sheet is a different question.

Prediction - Elsborg and Molde to be too much for each other and draw it up this time around.

Game 2 - Levski Sofia (Bulgaria) vs PAOK (Greece)

Lev. Sofia and PAOK are another example of a draw that has two stacked European teams heading against each other in a brutal advance towards qualification in the Conference League.

Matchups wise these two are dominant in their respective nations while also sporting good goal records with solid defense.

This tie will come down to who can finish in front of goal better, because the differences in talent are not apparent.

Levski and PAOK both also house strong fan bases with great home atmosphere, making this a hard matchup both ways.

Prediction - PAOK gets the edge in this one but it could absolutely go the other way.