Can Brighton win the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League?
As we explore the elimination rounds of the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League, there is a particular team that has garnered significant interest: Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Seagulls, who have been in the Premier League for seven seasons in a row, have performed well in European competition, leading to discussions about whether they could win the championship.
Oddschecker is considered a strong contender in the realm of European football betting due to its ability to compare odds and free bets. It compiles various betting choices and promotions from the most sought-after online bookmakers, making it a reliable source for football markets.
Is it possible for that forecast to become a fact?
During the group stage, Brighton had an exceptional journey. They came out on top in a challenging Group B which included Marseille and Ajax, two renowned teams from France and the Netherlands, respectively. They achieved an impressive 13 points during this period.
Despite suffering a surprising loss against fourth-ranked AEK Athens at their home turf, the Amex, on their first matchday, their displays significantly enhanced throughout the tournament. Their most remarkable achievement was securing a victory at the last minute against Les Phocéens, with Joao Pedro scoring the decisive goal.
The team's triumph in the initial phase was due to their collective effort. Brighton exhibited a solid line of defense and a potent offense that had a good sense of timing.
Roberto De Zerbi's team's display in the initial rounds has earned them a position in the playoffs, as well as the recognition and appreciation of other teams in Europe.
As the competition enters its knockout stage, the upcoming matches will present a new set of difficulties for the South Coast club, as they face off against some of the top teams in Europe. This is where the true test for Brighton begins, as they must now navigate through these challenging waters. It will certainly be intriguing to observe how they rise to this challenge.
One of the possible dangers may arise from West Ham, who finished first in Group A with 15 points. The Hammers have performed incredibly well in the competition thus far, and their evenly matched team could present a substantial obstacle.
West Ham has a strong history in European competition, as evidenced by their semi-final appearance two years ago, and triumph in the Europa Conference League last season.
Keep an eye on Rangers, because they finished first in their group ahead of Sparta Prague and Real Betis. The Scottish team has a long and impressive past in European competitions, and their familiarity with high-level play could give them an advantageous edge in the knockout rounds.
In recent times, they were unsuccessful twice in the finals. They lost the 2022 final to Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties, and the 2008 final to Zenit Saint-Petersburg.
Brighton has done well up to this point, but they will face many challenges in the Europa League going forward. The pressure will be even greater now that they have reached the knockout stages. They will need to be almost perfect to win.
Furthermore, there are not solely clubs like West Ham and Rangers, but also powerful European teams. Liverpool, who are currently topping the Premier League, are considered the clear favorites to win.
Since 2018, they have made it to three UEFA Champions League Finals and were victorious in one. Jurgen Klopp has revealed that he plans to depart from the club by the end of the current season. It's likely that he will aim to finish his tenure with the team by winning as many trophies as he can.
To make matters worse, the previous season's defeated semi-finalist in the Champions League, AC Milan, has also slid down a notch, and they will also present a challenging opposition.
