by Once finished matchday 5 of the group stage of the Europa League, the two Spanish representatives in the competition, Betis and Villarreal, have in their hands to finish the group stage as first classified. The lead would allow them to avoid the dreaded play-off prior to the round of 16, in which the runners-up in the group have to face clubs from the Europa League.
Despite remaining at the top of group C after their setback this Thursday in Prague, Betis still has to secure qualification. If that A defeat in the last game at the Benito Villamarín against Rangers, together with a victory for Sparta Prague in the Aris field, would send Pellegrini’s team to play in the play-off for the round of 32 of the Conference League. Even a green-and-white draw and a win by three goals or more difference in the scores would make them suffer the same fate.
Instead, Villarreal already knows that it will continue in the second European competition., no matter what happens on the last day, as they lead Panathinaikos by five points. The ‘groguets’ are second in group F, three points behind Rennes, although They still have a postponed match against Maccabi Haifawhich will be recovered next Wednesday at La Cerámica.
Four points… or maybe just three
It would be worth adding 4 points out of the 6 for Marcelino García Toral’s team that remain to be first in the group. Even three, if they beat Rennes on the last day, since they would equal their total of 12 points and surpass them due to the particular goal difference, because they beat them at La Cerámica on the second day. However, beating Maccabi next week would already catch up with the French and in that case a draw at Roazhon Park would confirm them as first.
while Betis reaches the last date one point above Rangers and two above Sparta Prague. There is no longer time for regrets and the Heliopolitans are very clear about it: a victory against the Scottish team saves the calculators and secure first place. In that case, we won’t have to look at what happens at Aris-Sparta either.
However, A draw in Seville means staying in the Europa League… but perhaps having to face the play-off. Betis would add 10 points, the same as Sparta if they win at Aris. In that case we would have to resort to the general goal difference. Pellegrini’s would end up with +3, while the checks would start from 0 and increase their difference in favor. That is to say, they would have to at least win with three goals difference to finish in first place.
putting on In the worst case scenario – Rangers triumph at Villamarín – Betis would only have the option of finishing second if Sparta Prague did not win their match. If the checks expire, Betis would ‘fall’ to the Conference League and would have to play the play-off prior to the round of 16.
