Ranking top five Europa League contenders: Manchester United, Real Sociedad, AS Roma and more

The 2024-25 UEFA Europa League will start this week and here's what you need to know

The 2024-25 UEFA Europa League will kick off this week as 36 teams will fight to win the first Europa League under the new format, just like the UEFA Champions League. The 36 sides will play the league phase before the knockout stages that will start in February. For the first time this season, no teams will relegate from the Champions League in the elimination phase, so one of these 36 teams will win the cup as Atalanta did in the past edition against Bayer Leverkusen. Let's now take a look at the five best teams in the tournament and rank all them. As always, you can watch all of the Europa League action live on Paramount+.

5. Real Sociedad 

The Spanish side was one of the surprising teams of the past two seasons, especially two years ago after finishing fourth in the league and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. Last season, despite the European games, they managed to end up sixth and confirmed to be one of the best Spanish teams especially for the quality of football they play. Manager Imanol Alguacil is considered one of the most talented managers around Europe and was even considered by other top clubs this summer but ended up staying at the club. In the summer, they sold Mikel Merino to Arsenal and defender Robin Le Normand to Atletico de Madrid, and they had a slow start to La Liga with four defeats in seven games and only one win so far in all competitions. But the quality is there.

4. Galatasaray 

The Turkish side had an intense summer and their motivations exploded after the signing of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen on loan from Napoli until the end of the season. A big boost for their team that had an incredible start of the season with six wins in six games, including the last one against Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce, Galatasaray shouldn't be underestimated, considering the potential of their team and also the home ground factor. It will never be easy for any opponent to face them in their home stadium in Istanbul. Okan Buruk's side are one to watch this season. 

3. Tottenham 

Ange Postecoglou's team had a difficult start of the season with only two wins in the first five games, but they are now ready to compete for the Europa League, as their manager suggested also before the start of the season. Spurs were able to sign striker Dominik Solanke in the summer, becoming one of the biggest transfers around Europe. The English striker scored his first Tottenham goal over the weekend and has the potential to improve his side this season after Spurs were not able to replace former captain Harry Kane last campaign. Tottenham have the potential roster to win the tournament, but a lot will depend on their domestic performances and how Postecoglou will be able to rotate his players during the season. 

2. Roma

A big revolution took place at Roma over the last week. Club legend and former captain Daniele De Rossi was sacked after he was appointed in January to replace Jose Mourinho. Despite the contract renewal, the club decided to sack him after a disappointing start to the season and replaced him with former Verona and Torino coach Ivan Juric who won 3-0 in his first game at the club against Udinese. During the summer, Roma made some key signings such as Mario Hermoso (free agent), Mats Hummels (free agent), Matias Soule from Juventus and Artem Dovbyk from Girona, among others. At the same time, Argentinian striker Paulo Dybala decided to stay at the club despite a bid coming from Saudi side Al-Qadsiah. The summer signings and the decision of Dybala only increased the expectations around De Rossi in his first full season at Roma, but only four games into the season the club decided to sack him. However, they still have the potential to win the Europa League after losing the 2023 final against Sevilla and were knocked out by Bayer Leverkusen in the past edition's semifinals.  

1. Manchester United

The team coached by Erik ten Hag is loaded, at least when it comes to the names on the roster. Despite the domestic issues over the past years, with a lot of ups and downs, the Dutch manager was never able to impress outside England with the Red Devils. However, this season has to be different. While there is much more competition in the Premier League, with more teams involved in the top-four race, Manchester United have to fight for the final win of the Europa League, which was also their last European title won back in 2017 under Mourinho. There is no stronger side than United in the tournament, and this puts more pressure on ten Hag's club. 

Schedule

All times U.S./Eastern

Wednesday, Sept. 25
AZ vs. IF Elfsborg, 12:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
Bodo Glimt vs. Porto, 12:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
Anderlecht vs. Ferencvaros, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
Dynamo Kyiv vs. Lazio, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
Galatasaray vs. PAOK, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
Nice vs. Real Sociedad, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
Ludogorets vs. Slavia Praha, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
Midtjylland vs. Hoffenheim, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
Manchester United vs. Twente, 3 p.m.(Paramount+)

Thursday, Sept. 26
Malmo vs. Rangers, 12:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
Fenerbahce vs. Union Saint-Gilloise, 12:45 p.m.(Paramount+)
Roma vs. Athletic Club, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
Ajax vs. Besiktas, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
Braga vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
Lyon vs. Olympiakos Piraeus, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
Eintracht Frankfurt vs. VIktoria Plzen, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
Tottenham vs. Qarabag, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
Steaua Bucuresti vs. Rigas Futbola Skola, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)