The biggest change is in the group stage, which has now transformed into a single 36-team League stage. In this new setup, each team will face six different opponents (three at home and three away). The top eight teams in the standings will advance directly to the Round of 16, while teams finishing between ninth and 24th will compete in the knockout round play-offs. The winners of these play-offs will then join the top eight in the last 16, after which the competition follows a straightforward knockout format.
Pots
CONFIRMED: #UECLdraw pots for the league phase ✅ pic.twitter.com/S6ZjRrTgih
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Pot 1: The Top Contenders
✅ Home and away opponents confirmed for Pot 1 teams 🏡✈️#UECLdraw pic.twitter.com/LNnYRXDkMW
— UEFA Conference League (@europacnfleague) August 30, 2024
Chelsea: As one of the most recognizable names in the competition, Chelsea will look to dominate their fixtures. Facing strong sides like Gent, LASK, and Real Betis, Chelsea is expected to top their group and advance directly to the Round of 16.
Copenhagen: Copenhagen’s fixtures include clashes with Basaksehir and Molde. With their European experience, they are well-positioned to secure a top-eight finish.
Gent: Gent has a challenging group with opponents like Legia and Heidenheim, but they are favorites to progress, especially if they perform well at home.
Fiorentina: Fiorentina will face tough matches against Basaksehir and APOEL. However, their quality should see them through to the knockout stages, potentially as one of the top eight.
LASK: LASK will need consistent performances, particularly in matches against Molde and Legia, to secure a spot in the play-offs or potentially even the top eight.
Real Betis: Real Betis faces a challenging schedule with fixtures against Djurgården and Heidenheim. Their experience and quality should help them secure a top-eight finish.
Pot 2: The Competitors
✅ Home and away opponents confirmed for Pot 2 teams 🏡✈️#UECLdraw pic.twitter.com/ECcxqFkShu
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Basaksehir: Basaksehir faces tough opponents like Fiorentina and Copenhagen. They will need strong home performances to challenge for a spot in the knockout rounds.
Molde: Molde’s matches against LASK and Copenhagen will be crucial. Strong performances at home could see them advance to the play-offs.
Legia: Facing Gent and LASK, Legia will need to maximize points at home to secure a play-off spot.
Heidenheim: Heidenheim has a tough group, but they could surprise some of their more established opponents and challenge for a play-off position.
Djurgården: With fixtures against Real Betis and Fiorentina, Djurgården will rely on strong home support to secure enough points for the play-offs.
APOEL: APOEL faces a difficult path with Fiorentina and Copenhagen in their group. Their progression will depend on how well they perform at home.
Pot 3: The Challengers
✅ Home and away opponents confirmed for Pot 3 teams 🏡✈️#UECLdraw pic.twitter.com/hdbNBBCA1H
— UEFA Conference League (@europacnfleague) August 30, 2024
SK Rapid: SK Rapid faces stiff competition from Chelsea and Fiorentina. They will need to make the most of their home games to compete for a play-off spot.
Omonia: Omonia’s fixtures include Gent and Real Betis. Strong home results will be key to their chances of advancing.
Helsinki: Helsinki has a tough group with Copenhagen and Molde, but they could challenge for a play-off spot with good performances at home.
Vitoria SC: Vitoria SC faces Real Betis and Legia. Securing points at home will be crucial for their hopes of progressing.
Astana: Astana will need to secure points in home matches against teams like LASK and Gent to stay in contention.
Olimpija: Olimpija faces Fiorentina and APOEL, with their best chance of advancing likely dependent on strong home performances.
Pot 4: The Outsiders
✅ Home and away opponents confirmed for Pot 4 teams 🏡✈️#UECLdraw pic.twitter.com/dN1MMlJg4r
— UEFA Conference League (@europacnfleague) August 30, 2024
Cercle Brugge: Cercle Brugge faces challenging fixtures against Gent and Heidenheim but could surprise with a strong run at home.
Shamrock Rovers: Facing Chelsea and SK Rapid, Shamrock Rovers will need to capitalize on home advantage to stay competitive.
The New Saints: The New Saints are underdogs in a group with Copenhagen and Molde but could cause an upset or two.
Lugano: Lugano’s matches against Fiorentina and APOEL present a tough challenge, but strong performances at home could see them in the mix.
Hearts: Hearts face Real Betis and Djurgården in their group. They will need to make the most of their home fixtures to challenge for a play-off spot.
Mladá Boleslav: Mladá Boleslav faces tough opponents like Gent and Heidenheim. Home performances will be key to their hopes of advancing.
Pot 5: The Outsiders
✅ Home and away opponents confirmed for Pot 5 teams 🏡✈️#UECLdraw pic.twitter.com/RdgP1XkzO7
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Petrocub: With fixtures against Chelsea and Copenhagen, Petrocub faces an uphill battle. Their best hope lies in securing points at home.
St. Gallen: St. Gallen has tough opponents in Gent and Real Betis. They will need to perform exceptionally at home to stay in the competition.
Panathinaikos: Panathinaikos faces Fiorentina and Real Betis, making their path difficult. However, they could still challenge for a playoff spot with strong home form.
TSC: TSC faces LASK and Gent, with their best chance of progression depending on their home results.
Borac: Borac faces a challenging group with Copenhagen and Molde. They will need to focus on home games to avoid finishing at the bottom.
Jagiellonia: Jagiellonia has a tough group with Chelsea and Fiorentina. They will need to perform above expectations to advance.
Pot 6: The Long Shots
✅ Home and away opponents confirmed for Pot 6 teams 🏡✈️#UECLdraw pic.twitter.com/w308vUZXSc
— UEFA Conference League (@europacnfleague) August 30, 2024
Celje: Celje faces top teams like Chelsea and Gent. They will need to focus on securing points at home to avoid finishing last.
Larne: Larne’s group includes Copenhagen and Molde. Their best hope is to cause an upset at home.
Dinamo-Minsk: Dinamo-Minsk faces tough opponents like Real Betis and Fiorentina, making their chances of progression slim.
Pafos: Pafos faces a difficult group with Real Betis and Heidenheim. They will need to secure home wins to have any chance of advancing.
Vikingur R: Vikingur R is in a challenging group with Chelsea and Fiorentina. Their focus will be on securing points in home matches.
Noah: Noah faces top teams like Chelsea and Fiorentina, making progression unlikely. However, they could still hope for some surprise results at home.
Conclusion
Based on the strength of the teams and their fixtures, clubs like Chelsea , Fiorentina , and Real Betis are most likely to qualify directly for the Round of 16. However, the competition for the knockout round play-offs will be fierce, with teams like Copenhagen , Gent , and Basaksehir expected to be in the mix. The journey from the group stage to the final promises to be filled with drama, excitement, and unexpected twists, making this season's UEFA Conference League a must-watch for football fans across the continent.