The UEFA Conference League has had two incredible qualifying rounds throughout July, which brought fans across Europe to the edge of their seats. More recently, we saw some massive upsets in the second qualifying round.
Now in the competition’s fourth edition, the quality continues to increase considerably. As we move to the second half of the qualifying rounds, things will begin to intensify even more.
With the Conference League third qualifying round beginning on Tuesday, The Sports Deck provides a look at all 30 ties and will give a prediction as to who will win each tie.
Champions Path: Former Group Stage Sides Look For Redemption
There is an interesting fact for all four ties in the champion’s path of the Conference League: each tie features a side that has reached this competition’s group stage before, against a side that has not. Unsurprisingly, the four sides part of the former are all seeded in this round.
We start by looking at the tie between Víkingur Reykjavík and Flora Tallinn. For the second time in three seasons, the Icelandic champions have reached this stage of the competition. They have never gotten farther than this stage in Europe, and this is an excellent chance to do so. Flora reached the UECL proper three seasons, back in the tournament’s maiden edition. They just progressed from a European tie last time out for the first time since making the group stages. They will need to be at their best once again here.
The most interesting tie in the champion path this round is between Ordabasy and Pyunik. The Kazakh champions have continued where they left off domestically, as they are two points off the top, with a game in hand. This will be their first time in Q3 of a European competition, and they will have to make the most of it. Pyunik, on the other hand, has lost at least one leg in each of their last three ties, stretching to last summer. Their win last week against Struga put an end to five continental matches without a win, where they lost four of them.
Ballkani, one of two sides in the champion’s path to reach the Conference League group stage on multiple occasions, faces Northern Ireland’s Larne. The side from Kosovo is partaking in their eighth UECL tie this round – no other club has been part of more in the competition’s history. Holding a 12-1-2 record in this tournament, they should be heavy favourites over a Larne team that has not won a European game in three years.
The other tie in this round sees HJK face off against Dečić. The contrast in this tie could not be any greater. HJK, the Finnish champion, has been in a group stage in each of the last three seasons, and five times overall. They have more main round showings than the other seven teams in this path put together. As for Dečić, their Q2 away win over Dinamo Batumi was their first-ever continental win. Should the Montenegrin side progress, it would be a massive scalp.
Predictions: Víkingur Reykjavík, Ordabasy, Ballkani, and HJK
Main Path, Part 1: Scotland and Norway Meet Twice
The main path of the Conference League third qualifying round should be something to watch. We have direct coefficient clashes, massive opportunities for smaller clubs, and high expectations for some of Europe’s more established teams.
We start with Mladá Boleslav and Hapoel Be’er Sheva in what should be an interesting tie. The Czech club made the UEFA Cup group stages twice in the mid-2000s. Since then, they have failed to win two European ties in the same season. Their tie against Hapoel Be’er Sheva presents a great chance to change that. After all, this is the round where the Israelis were eliminated last summer.
The tie between Kilmarnock and Tromsø is one of several this round with direct clashes. The Scottish team has never won or gotten to the playoff round in Europe, though facing the struggling Norwegians could very well change that. Regarding Tromsø, they have reached the group stages on the continental scene twice, both coming in the UEFA Cup/Europa League. It will be a tall order for the side just above the relegation zone in their domestic league.
Ararat-Armenia and Puskás Akadémia face off in what is a wonderful chance for both to make the playoff round. The Armenians have done that twice, albeit in the Europa League. This is the first time they have gotten past Q2 in the UECL, at the third time asking. Their wins over Zimbru last round were also their first in this tournament. Puskás is involved in their maiden Q3 in Europe as they benefited from Dnipro-1 withdrawing last round. What an opportunity for them.
We are in for a very fascinating tie between FC Zürich and Vitória de Guimarães. FCZ has been in a group stage in each of their last three European seasons, with the last European season in which failed to reach that stage being in 2015/16. They also happened to lose at this stage of the Europa League to Dinamo Minsk. Vitória has last graced main-round football in 2019/20, one of two appearances. A lot of pressure will be on them to return there this time.
Paks faces Mornar Bar as both sides have impressed thus far in Europe. As they did in their only previous European journey in 2011/12, Paks has made Q3. Back then, they fell to Hearts 5-2 over the two legs. They are certainly the favourites on this occasion, something they must make the most of. Mornar Bar is competing in their maiden campaign in Europe and has already pulled off a couple of scalps. Can they do it again?
BK Häcken meets Paide Linnameeskond in what should be a lopsided tie. The Swedish side is unbeaten in their last 11 qualifying round ties in Europe, winning eight of those games. Participants in the Europa League proper last fall, Häcken will look to do the same in the Conference League. Paide made this round of the UECL two years ago before being knocked out by Anderlecht. They will not be expected to go further than this round once again, but that should not stop them from attempting an upset.
Maribor and Vojvodina meet in their Q3 matchup. It has been seven years since the Slovenians have last enjoyed continental football in the fall. Fenerbahçe eliminated them in this round last year but should feel they have a great chance to return to the playoff round. For Vojvodina, it has been eight years since they made the playoff round in continental football, something they had managed to do thrice in four years. This is the second time since then that they have made Q3.
Spartak Trnava, fresh off a Conference League group stage appearance last year, faces Wisła Kraków. Strangely enough, this will be the third summer round that Trnava will face a Polish side at this very round of UECL. After losing to Raków in 2022/23, the Slovak side bounced back by causing an upset over Lech Poznań a year later. Second-tier Wisła is looking for their third main round appearance in Europe, their last one coming back in 2011/12.
St. Patrick’s Athletic faces Sabah Baku in what should be a great tie. For the second time in three seasons, St. Pats will be in this round of the UECL. On that occasion, they fell to CSKA-Sofia in two very close games. They will have to be careful in this tie, as Sabah did the unthinkable and knocked Maccabi Haifa out last summer. In what is their second European foray, the Azeris will look to get past this round, something they almost did 12 months ago.
The other Scotland vs Norway game in this round pits together St. Mirren and Brann. Now participating in Europe for the fifth time, St. Mirren has never won two ties in a row. Before knocking off Valur Reykjavik last round, the Saints’ previous success in continental play came at the expense of Norwegian opposition in Tromsø. For Brann, they came within a whisker of eliminating AZ in the playoff round last August. They should be the favourite in this tie, and could very well make their second main round showing.
CSKA 1948 Sofia and Paphos square off in another direct clash in the battle for 22nd in the UEFA coefficient ranking. This is a tie where neither side has much continental football to count on. Both are playing their third European tie ever. CSKA 1948 Sofia was in Europe last term, losing to FCSB in Q2. As for Paphos, they pulled off a shock in the Cypriot Cup final last season to make a debut in the UEFA club competition.
Ilves battles with Djurgården in an all-Nordic clash. The Finnish side’s impressive win in Q2 over Austria Wien was just their second ever in Europe. Getting to the playoff round would be something incredible for them. Djurgården surprised everyone in the 2022/23 season, as they made the round of 16 in the Conference League. Making the UECL proper should be expected from the Swedes once again.
The other second-tier side left in Europe, Corvinul Hunedoara, meets FC Astana. The Romanian cup winners have already bettered their only previous European campaign, back in 1982/83. With a 2-3-3 record all-time, there should be some hope for Corvinul to make the playoff round. Astana participated in the UECL group stage last year, finishing third behind Viktoria Plzeň and Dinamo Zagreb. The Kazakh side lost to CFR Cluj in their previous tie against Romanian opposition.
Predictions: Mladá Boleslav, Tromsø, Ararat-Armenia, FC Zürich, Paks, Häcken, Vojvodina, Wisła Kraków, Sabah Baku, Brann, Paphos, Djurgården, Corvinul Hunedoara
Main Path, Part 2: Big Tie of the Round
Ružomberok faces Hajduk Split in a tie where the Croatian side should be the favourite. The Slovaks are in the third qualifying round in Europe for the third time, seven years since the last occasion. For Hajduk, it has been 14 years since their last group stage appearance. They have never won an away game in the UECL in five previous attempts. If that does not improve here, that could put them in trouble.
In one of the most lopsided ties in this round, Noah meets AEK Athens. To the Armenians’ credit, they have kept three clean sheets in their four games this summer. Pulling that off even once against this AEK side would be an incredible achievement for Noah. The Greek side has never reached the main round of the Conference League but will be expected to change that this summer. Before their win against Inter Club d’Escaldes in Q2, they lost their only ever UECL tie against Velež Mostar three years ago.
Another direct battle for 33rd will take place between Auda and Drita. What a great tie this could be. The Latvian side has won all four games this summer, conceding just once in the process. They meet a Drita side who won both of their Q2 games over Breiðablik. It’s the first time they will play a two-legged tie in Q3, having played only one game in the round four years ago in a defeat to Legia Warszawa
In another tie with an overwhelming favourite, Iberia 1999 meets İstanbul Başakşehir. The Georgians have never gotten past this round in UEFA club competition, with their biggest scalp coming in the Champions League against Sheriff Tiraspol five years ago. In what is their second journey in the UECL, Başakşehir is 6-2-0 in the competition’s qualifiers. Having reached the round of 16 two years ago, much will be expected from the Turks in Europe this term.
To our choice for a tie of the round, as Brøndby battles Legia Warszawa. The Danes reached this stage two years ago but lost to Basel on penalties. More importantly, though, they eliminated their Polish opponents 15 years ago in Q3 of the Europa League on away goals. Can they work the same magic again? Legia also won their most recent encounter with a Danish side, eliminating FC Midtjylland on penalties in the playoff round a year ago. This tie has to be a much-watch.
Maccabi Petah Tikva will partake in their maiden Conference League games as they battle CFR Cluj. The Israeli Cup winners are in Europe for just the third time, 17 years on from their UEFA Cup group stage showing. As they were last round in the Europa League, they will be up against it versus a CFR Cluj side desperate to return to group play. The Romanians suffered elimination before Q3 for just the second time last summer in losing to Adana Demirspor.
Silkeborg returns to the UECL and is set to take on Gent. For the second time in three seasons, the Danish side gets to grace the continental scene, this time as cup winners. Before their narrow defeat to Molde in the UEL, Silkeborg’s last game in Europe was a 2-0 defeat to Anderlecht in the final round of the UECL group stage two autumns ago. For Gent, they are looking to make the main round of the tournament for the fourth year running, one of two teams who can still do this.
Osijek, playing in their eighth consecutive summer of European football, faces off against Zirə. The Azeris are involved in continental action for just the third time, highlighting the sheer contrast between the two sides. Remarkably, despite their regular appearances, Osijek is involved in Q3 for just the third time, making it a step further once. This is their chance to complete that a second time.
Swiss side Sankt Gallen takes on Śląsk Wrocław in what is another direct clash in the coefficient ranking. Eleven years on from their only group stage showing, the team who finished fourth in the Swiss Super League last term is two steps away from making a return to fall football in Europe. Their Polish opponents have made the Cup Winners Cup quarterfinals but have never made a main round, despite three playoff round appearances.
Botev Plovdiv faces off versus Zrinjski Mostar 11 years on from their previous European clash. That second qualifying round meeting in the Europa League back in 2013/14 went Botev’s way, with a 3-1 aggregate win for them. Since then, the Bulgarians have played in continental football three times. In comparison, the Bosnians have become European regulars, highlighted by their maiden group stage last fall in the competition. They are two rounds away from making it back-to-back.
Another fascinating tie is coming up between Omonoia Nicosia and Fehérvár. Looking to avoid UECL Q3 elimination for the second year in a row, Omonoia has enjoyed several seasons of group-stage football of late but has never been able to go further than that. In what is their third Conference League foray, Fehérvár is aiming to make it to the playoff round for the second time. They lost out to Köln two years ago but have a chance at a first main-round showing since 2018/19.
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The UEFA Conference League has had two incredible qualifying rounds throughout July, which brought fans across Europe to the edge of their seats. More recently, we saw some massive upsets in the second qualifying round.
Now in the competition’s fourth edition, the quality continues to increase considerably. As we move to the second half of the qualifying rounds, things will begin to intensify even more.
With the Conference League third qualifying round beginning on Tuesday, The Sports Deck provides a look at all 30 ties and will give a prediction as to who will win each tie.
Champions Path: Former Group Stage Sides Look For Redemption
There is an interesting fact for all four ties in the champion’s path of the Conference League: each tie features a side that has reached this competition’s group stage before, against a side that has not. Unsurprisingly, the four sides part of the former are all seeded in this round.
We start by looking at the tie between Víkingur Reykjavík and Flora Tallinn. For the second time in three seasons, the Icelandic champions have reached this stage of the competition. They have never gotten farther than this stage in Europe, and this is an excellent chance to do so. Flora reached the UECL proper three seasons, back in the tournament’s maiden edition. They just progressed from a European tie last time out for the first time since making the group stages. They will need to be at their best once again here.
The most interesting tie in the champion path this round is between Ordabasy and Pyunik. The Kazakh champions have continued where they left off domestically, as they are two points off the top, with a game in hand. This will be their first time in Q3 of a European competition, and they will have to make the most of it. Pyunik, on the other hand, has lost at least one leg in each of their last three ties, stretching to last summer. Their win last week against Struga put an end to five continental matches without a win, where they lost four of them.
Ballkani, one of two sides in the champion’s path to reach the Conference League group stage on multiple occasions, faces Northern Ireland’s Larne. The side from Kosovo is partaking in their eighth UECL tie this round – no other club has been part of more in the competition’s history. Holding a 12-1-2 record in this tournament, they should be heavy favourites over a Larne team that has not won a European game in three years.
The other tie in this round sees HJK face off against Dečić. The contrast in this tie could not be any greater. HJK, the Finnish champion, has been in a group stage in each of the last three seasons, and five times overall. They have more main round showings than the other seven teams in this path put together. As for Dečić, their Q2 away win over Dinamo Batumi was their first-ever continental win. Should the Montenegrin side progress, it would be a massive scalp.
Predictions: Víkingur Reykjavík, Ordabasy, Ballkani, and HJK
Main Path, Part 1: Scotland and Norway Meet Twice
The main path of the Conference League third qualifying round should be something to watch. We have direct coefficient clashes, massive opportunities for smaller clubs, and high expectations for some of Europe’s more established teams.
We start with Mladá Boleslav and Hapoel Be’er Sheva in what should be an interesting tie. The Czech club made the UEFA Cup group stages twice in the mid-2000s. Since then, they have failed to win two European ties in the same season. Their tie against Hapoel Be’er Sheva presents a great chance to change that. After all, this is the round where the Israelis were eliminated last summer.
The tie between Kilmarnock and Tromsø is one of several this round with direct clashes. The Scottish team has never won or gotten to the playoff round in Europe, though facing the struggling Norwegians could very well change that. Regarding Tromsø, they have reached the group stages on the continental scene twice, both coming in the UEFA Cup/Europa League. It will be a tall order for the side just above the relegation zone in their domestic league.
Ararat-Armenia and Puskás Akadémia face off in what is a wonderful chance for both to make the playoff round. The Armenians have done that twice, albeit in the Europa League. This is the first time they have gotten past Q2 in the UECL, at the third time asking. Their wins over Zimbru last round were also their first in this tournament. Puskás is involved in their maiden Q3 in Europe as they benefited from Dnipro-1 withdrawing last round. What an opportunity for them.
We are in for a very fascinating tie between FC Zürich and Vitória de Guimarães. FCZ has been in a group stage in each of their last three European seasons, with the last European season in which failed to reach that stage being in 2015/16. They also happened to lose at this stage of the Europa League to Dinamo Minsk. Vitória has last graced main-round football in 2019/20, one of two appearances. A lot of pressure will be on them to return there this time.
Paks faces Mornar Bar as both sides have impressed thus far in Europe. As they did in their only previous European journey in 2011/12, Paks has made Q3. Back then, they fell to Hearts 5-2 over the two legs. They are certainly the favourites on this occasion, something they must make the most of. Mornar Bar is competing in their maiden campaign in Europe and has already pulled off a couple of scalps. Can they do it again?
BK Häcken meets Paide Linnameeskond in what should be a lopsided tie. The Swedish side is unbeaten in their last 11 qualifying round ties in Europe, winning eight of those games. Participants in the Europa League proper last fall, Häcken will look to do the same in the Conference League. Paide made this round of the UECL two years ago before being knocked out by Anderlecht. They will not be expected to go further than this round once again, but that should not stop them from attempting an upset.
Maribor and Vojvodina meet in their Q3 matchup. It has been seven years since the Slovenians have last enjoyed continental football in the fall. Fenerbahçe eliminated them in this round last year but should feel they have a great chance to return to the playoff round. For Vojvodina, it has been eight years since they made the playoff round in continental football, something they had managed to do thrice in four years. This is the second time since then that they have made Q3.
Spartak Trnava, fresh off a Conference League group stage appearance last year, faces Wisła Kraków. Strangely enough, this will be the third summer round that Trnava will face a Polish side at this very round of UECL. After losing to Raków in 2022/23, the Slovak side bounced back by causing an upset over Lech Poznań a year later. Second-tier Wisła is looking for their third main round appearance in Europe, their last one coming back in 2011/12.
St. Patrick’s Athletic faces Sabah Baku in what should be a great tie. For the second time in three seasons, St. Pats will be in this round of the UECL. On that occasion, they fell to CSKA-Sofia in two very close games. They will have to be careful in this tie, as Sabah did the unthinkable and knocked Maccabi Haifa out last summer. In what is their second European foray, the Azeris will look to get past this round, something they almost did 12 months ago.
The other Scotland vs Norway game in this round pits together St. Mirren and Brann. Now participating in Europe for the fifth time, St. Mirren has never won two ties in a row. Before knocking off Valur Reykjavik last round, the Saints’ previous success in continental play came at the expense of Norwegian opposition in Tromsø. For Brann, they came within a whisker of eliminating AZ in the playoff round last August. They should be the favourite in this tie, and could very well make their second main round showing.
CSKA 1948 Sofia and Paphos square off in another direct clash in the battle for 22nd in the UEFA coefficient ranking. This is a tie where neither side has much continental football to count on. Both are playing their third European tie ever. CSKA 1948 Sofia was in Europe last term, losing to FCSB in Q2. As for Paphos, they pulled off a shock in the Cypriot Cup final last season to make a debut in the UEFA club competition.
Ilves battles with Djurgården in an all-Nordic clash. The Finnish side’s impressive win in Q2 over Austria Wien was just their second ever in Europe. Getting to the playoff round would be something incredible for them. Djurgården surprised everyone in the 2022/23 season, as they made the round of 16 in the Conference League. Making the UECL proper should be expected from the Swedes once again.
The other second-tier side left in Europe, Corvinul Hunedoara, meets FC Astana. The Romanian cup winners have already bettered their only previous European campaign, back in 1982/83. With a 2-3-3 record all-time, there should be some hope for Corvinul to make the playoff round. Astana participated in the UECL group stage last year, finishing third behind Viktoria Plzeň and Dinamo Zagreb. The Kazakh side lost to CFR Cluj in their previous tie against Romanian opposition.
Predictions: Mladá Boleslav, Tromsø, Ararat-Armenia, FC Zürich, Paks, Häcken, Vojvodina, Wisła Kraków, Sabah Baku, Brann, Paphos, Djurgården, Corvinul Hunedoara
Main Path, Part 2: Big Tie of the Round
Ružomberok faces Hajduk Split in a tie where the Croatian side should be the favourite. The Slovaks are in the third qualifying round in Europe for the third time, seven years since the last occasion. For Hajduk, it has been 14 years since their last group stage appearance. They have never won an away game in the UECL in five previous attempts. If that does not improve here, that could put them in trouble.
In one of the most lopsided ties in this round, Noah meets AEK Athens. To the Armenians’ credit, they have kept three clean sheets in their four games this summer. Pulling that off even once against this AEK side would be an incredible achievement for Noah. The Greek side has never reached the main round of the Conference League but will be expected to change that this summer. Before their win against Inter Club d’Escaldes in Q2, they lost their only ever UECL tie against Velež Mostar three years ago.
Another direct battle for 33rd will take place between Auda and Drita. What a great tie this could be. The Latvian side has won all four games this summer, conceding just once in the process. They meet a Drita side who won both of their Q2 games over Breiðablik. It’s the first time they will play a two-legged tie in Q3, having played only one game in the round four years ago in a defeat to Legia Warszawa
In another tie with an overwhelming favourite, Iberia 1999 meets İstanbul Başakşehir. The Georgians have never gotten past this round in UEFA club competition, with their biggest scalp coming in the Champions League against Sheriff Tiraspol five years ago. In what is their second journey in the UECL, Başakşehir is 6-2-0 in the competition’s qualifiers. Having reached the round of 16 two years ago, much will be expected from the Turks in Europe this term.
To our choice for a tie of the round, as Brøndby battles Legia Warszawa. The Danes reached this stage two years ago but lost to Basel on penalties. More importantly, though, they eliminated their Polish opponents 15 years ago in Q3 of the Europa League on away goals. Can they work the same magic again? Legia also won their most recent encounter with a Danish side, eliminating FC Midtjylland on penalties in the playoff round a year ago. This tie has to be a much-watch.
Maccabi Petah Tikva will partake in their maiden Conference League games as they battle CFR Cluj. The Israeli Cup winners are in Europe for just the third time, 17 years on from their UEFA Cup group stage showing. As they were last round in the Europa League, they will be up against it versus a CFR Cluj side desperate to return to group play. The Romanians suffered elimination before Q3 for just the second time last summer in losing to Adana Demirspor.
Silkeborg returns to the UECL and is set to take on Gent. For the second time in three seasons, the Danish side gets to grace the continental scene, this time as cup winners. Before their narrow defeat to Molde in the UEL, Silkeborg’s last game in Europe was a 2-0 defeat to Anderlecht in the final round of the UECL group stage two autumns ago. For Gent, they are looking to make the main round of the tournament for the fourth year running, one of two teams who can still do this.
Osijek, playing in their eighth consecutive summer of European football, faces off against Zirə. The Azeris are involved in continental action for just the third time, highlighting the sheer contrast between the two sides. Remarkably, despite their regular appearances, Osijek is involved in Q3 for just the third time, making it a step further once. This is their chance to complete that a second time.
Swiss side Sankt Gallen takes on Śląsk Wrocław in what is another direct clash in the coefficient ranking. Eleven years on from their only group stage showing, the team who finished fourth in the Swiss Super League last term is two steps away from making a return to fall football in Europe. Their Polish opponents have made the Cup Winners Cup quarterfinals but have never made a main round, despite three playoff round appearances.
Botev Plovdiv faces off versus Zrinjski Mostar 11 years on from their previous European clash. That second qualifying round meeting in the Europa League back in 2013/14 went Botev’s way, with a 3-1 aggregate win for them. Since then, the Bulgarians have played in continental football three times. In comparison, the Bosnians have become European regulars, highlighted by their maiden group stage last fall in the competition. They are two rounds away from making it back-to-back.
Another fascinating tie is coming up between Omonoia Nicosia and Fehérvár. Looking to avoid UECL Q3 elimination for the second year in a row, Omonoia has enjoyed several seasons of group-stage football of late but has never been able to go further than that. In what is their third Conference League foray, Fehérvár is aiming to make it to the playoff round for the second time. They lost out to Köln two years ago but have a chance at a first main-round showing since 2018/19.