Here’s a date for your diary: 1st September 2023. It’s the date of the draw for the Europa League Group Stage, and thus the moment that Seagulls fans will know against whom they will square up for their first-ever European adventure. Of course, the draw being three months away means we don’t know who that will be, but we can extrapolate some information from UEFA’s complicated system of coefficients, particularly on who will be seeded for the draw.
For starters, be aware that, as it stands, Brighton could be seeded in any one of the Pots 1-4. But that’s only technically speaking. Brighton’s relatively low co-efficient score means that it is likely they will be in Pots 3 or 4, especially when you factor in teams coming through from the Champions League Playoffs.
As such, Brighton could come up against some pretty big names. For example, the winners of the Europa Conference League Final will go straight into Pot 1, meaning a tie against Fiorentina is possible (Brighton would not be able to face West Ham, or Liverpool for that matter). Villarreal is a certainty to be in Pot 1. You can also choose two from Atalanta, Juventus, or Roma, depending on various scenarios, including the outcome of the Europe League Final. There’s also a choice between Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt, which will depend on the outcome of the DFB-Pokal (German FA Cup Final). The other two strong possibilities based on coefficients are Sporting Lisbon or Ajax. Although, the latter could go to the Champions League.
Thus we can see Pot 1 looking like this:
West Ham/Fiorentina
Liverpool
Atalanta, Juventus, Roma (two from)
Villareal
Bayer Leverkusen or Eintract Frankfurt
Sporting Lisbon
Ajax
The above scenario is not set in stone, of course, but it’s almost certain that Brighton will face one of those teams (except English teams) in their Europa League group. More importantly, one of those teams will likely be Brighton’s toughest opponent in the group. That should make for some decent ties, and a magical away trip for anyone who is lucky enough to secure tickets. A big European night in Turin? Lisbon? Amsterdam?
However, we should also be clear that Brighton have nothing to fear here either. We know that some key players will leave in the summer, but smart recruitment should also follow. The Premier League Odds for the new season have just been released, and looking at Brighton’s odds for securing a top 6 place again next season suggests bookmakers don’t believe this season was a fluke.
Long trips could be on the cards
While it gets messy trying to predict the other teams that Brighton may face, we can throw some other interesting names into the hat. Real Betis will be in the Europa League, and they would be the kind of team you’d want to avoid from the lower pots. French side Toulouse, who qualified by winning the Coupe de France, will also be in the main draw in one of the lower pots. Like Brighton, they will be underestimated.Of course, there is every chance the Brighton fans will have to travel many, many miles to far-flung places in Eastern Europe if they want to see the Seagulls play on the continent. Olympiacos is a possibility, but there is also a chance of going further east to play Besiktas in Turkey or Dynamo Kiev (in a neutral venue). Astana (Kazakhstan) might not be a glamour tie, but it could happen.
All of this is mere speculation at the moment. Some of the league and cup competitions have yet to be completed around Europe, and Brighton’s fate will also depend on the outcome of some of the qualifying rounds and losers from Champions League playoffs. But it’s certain that Brighton will come up against at least one of the teams mentioned in this piece. It makes for some exciting possibilities for the Seagulls as they attempt to conquer the 2023/24 Europa League.
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