Celtic are on course for a pot 2 seeding in the Europa League- if they get past the play-off stage against Sudova or Spartaks Jurmala.
Sudova go into today’s home leg with a 1-0 lead with the victors at home in the first leg of the play off with the Celtic Park match coming three days before the derby against Sevco.
8. For the group stage, the teams are divided into 4 pots based on coefficient rankings from the end of last season. None of that protected Pot 1 nonsense.
At worst, Celtic would be Pot 2. There aren’t enough teams ranked above us who could feature to knock us down to Pot 3.
— Moravcik67 (@Moravcik67_) August 15, 2018
9. We have a slim chance of Pot 1. Currently, there are 9 teams ranked above us who have their Group Stage place secured. If another 3 make the EL GS, we’ll be Pot 2.
It’s not just teams in EL qualifying we need to consider. CL teams can still drop into the Europa if they lose.
— Moravcik67 (@Moravcik67_) August 15, 2018
10. Teams ranked above us who could also be in the EL Group Stage
Salzburg (CL)
PSV (CL)
Benfica (CL)Besiktas (EL)
Basel (EL)
Copenhagen (EL)
Sevilla (EL)
Ludogorets (EL)
Olympiakos (EL)
Zenit (EL)If 3 of these teams are in the EL group stage we’ll be in Pot 2.
— Moravcik67 (@Moravcik67_) August 15, 2018
11. Here’s how Bert Kassies site has the EL groups looking, should all the seeds progress in both competitions.
Obviously Zenit and Feyenoord were pumped in the 1st legs of their 3rd round ties, and there may be others also facing an exit.https://t.co/iXnLb3xcvV pic.twitter.com/7kBYx1434v
— Moravcik67 (@Moravcik67_) August 15, 2018
The exact make up of the draw is difficult to guess at due to the number of clubs dropping down from the Champions League play-offs.
With such a limited entry into the group phase of the Champions League there will be a large overspill of champions appearing in the group phase of the Europa League.
The run of Thursday fixtures will have a knock on effect on Celtic’s SPFL fixtures with the match against Hamilton Accies pushed back 24 hours to Sunday August 26.