35 goals were scored on Europa Conference League matchday one, with İstanbul Başakşehir and Villarreal both contributing four to that tally.
Djurgården, Slovácko, Ballkani, Vaduz, Žalgiris Vilnius and RFS all got off the mark in, what was, their first-ever outings in a UEFA group stage.
Bizarrely, no goals were scored in Group F, but that statistical quirk will surely change in Stockholm or Ghent.
Below are previews of all 16 fixtures.
Group Tables:
Group A: İstanbul Başakşehir vs Fiorentina
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İstanbul Başakşehir vs Fiorentina
İstanbul Başakşehir to win 2-1 against Fiorentina- 10/1!
Will İstanbul Başakşehir pull clear at the top of Group A?
On matchday one, the Grey Owls demolished Heart of Midlothian 4-0 at Tynecastle and, in truth, it could’ve been more.
Hasan Ali Kaldırım breaking the deadlock with a sweet strike, before Youssouf Ndayishimiye, Stefano Okaka and Berkay Özcan rubber stamped the victory.
This is the Orange-Navy Blues’ fourth UEFA group stage, all since 2017, overcoming Maccabi Netanya, Breiðablik and Royal Antwerp to get here.
İstanbul Başakşehir lost their only two previous encounters with an Italian club, beaten 3-0 and 4-0 by Roma three years ago, but will be hopeful of a better result this time.
Fiorentina meantime were also expected to be battling at the top of this section, but stumbled in their own group opener.
When Antonín Barák broke the deadlock at Stadio Artemio Franchi, I Viola looked set to comfortably see off RFS.
But the Virslīga champions, against all odds, equalised late and left Florence with a point.
Then, on Sunday, Vincenzo Italiano’s team lost 2-1 to Bologna, leaving them 11th in Serie A.
So, perhaps, Fiorentina aren’t going to cruise through as they return to UEFA competition after five years away.
Who will leave Başakşehir Fatih Terim Stadyumu victorious?
Group A: RFS vs Heart of Midlothian
Read more about RFS vs Heart of Midlothian by clicking here.
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RFS vs Heart of Midlothian
RFS to draw 1-1 with Hearts- 11/2!
If Heart of Midlothian hadn’t realised the Europa Conference League group stages would be a step up in difficult level, they certainly have now.
On matchday one, Hearts were demolished 4-0 by İstanbul Başakşehir at Tynecastle on a gloomy, grey evening in Edinburgh.
Pathetic fallacy in real life.
The Jambos have now lost all three European fixtures this season, having been beaten twice by FC Zürich last month.
At least Robbie Neilson’s team are facing a completely hopeless outfit in this game, right?
Well, RFS are making their debut in a UEFA group stage, with the Virslīga champions widely expected to be Group A’s whipping boys when the draw was made.
On the contrary, the Latvian side held Fiorentina to a 1-1 draw last Thursday; Andrej Ilić cooly slotting home a late equaliser at Stadio Artemio Franchi.
This was a major shock, given that Viktors Morozs’ team were incredibly lucky to oust Linfield in the play-offs, prevailing on penalties.
Back at Skonto stadions, will RFS claim a famous victory, or will Heart of Midlothian win on the road?
Group B: Silkeborg vs West Ham United
Read more about Silkeborg vs West Ham United by clicking here.
Silkeborg vs West Ham United
West Ham to win 2-1 against Silkeborg- 15/2!
West Ham United are clearly the best team in this group, so will they make it two wins out of two in Denmark?
On matchday one, despite being a goal down at half time, the Hammers fought back and beat FCSB 3-1 at the London Stadium.
Jarrod Bowen lashed home a penalty before Emerson bundled in his first for the club, with Michail Antonio rubber stamping the victory in stoppage time.
David Moyes’ men reached the Europa League semi-finals just last season and now, in a lower-tier tournament, are certainly aiming to go all the way.
Given that the Irons were not in action at the weekend, expect Moyes to name a very strong side ahead of Sunday’s trip to Everton.
West Ham have already won in Denmark this season, easily beating Viborg 3-0 three week ago, but should face a tougher test just 22 miles south at JYSK Park.
Silkeborg, as a newly-promoted club, came third in last season’s Superligaen, meaning they are back in Europe after 21 years away.
Kent Nielsen’s team took on Anderlecht seven nights ago ago and, after competing on an even keel for long periods, were eventually undone by a late penalty.
Having lost to HJK in last month’s Europa League play-offs, Silkeborg are now winless in nine European fixtures, dating back 24 years.
So, a comfortable West Ham victory seems likely at Silkeborg Stadium.
Group B: FCSB vs Anderlecht
FC Steaua București vs Anderlecht
FCSB to draw 1-1 with Anderlecht- 11/2!
Meanwhile, after their credible showing at the London Stadium, FCSB will be looking to get off the mark.
When Andrei Cordea fired the fallen Romanian giants in front against West Ham, they were dreaming of a famous victory, but no dice.
Back at Arena Națională, Nicolae Dică's team will feel this is a more realistic opportunity to claim some points.
Remember, FCSB reached two European Cup Finals in the 1980s, beating Barcelona in 1986 before losing to A.C. Milan three years later.
These days, the Red and Blues are just delighted to be competing in their first UEFA group stage since 2017.
FCSB have only lost three of their last 14 European home games, so will their decent record stand firm here?
Anderlecht meanwhile are looking to move onto six points after beating Silkeborg on matchday one.
Felice Mazzù's team looked set to be frustrated at Lotto Park, until Fábio Silva’s emphatic late penalty snatched the points.
Now, if the Purple and Whites could win in Bucharest, they’d already been in a great position to reach the knockout stages for the first time since 2016/17.
Group C: Hapoel Be’er Sheva vs Villarreal
Hapoel Be’er Sheva vs Villarreal
Villarreal to win 2-1 against Hapoel Be’er Sheva- 15/2!
As most expected, Villarreal began this group with a victory, but they were certainly made to work for it.
A week ago, el Submarino Amarillo, eventually, beat Lech Poznań 4-3 at their temporary home of Estadi Ciutat de València.
Samu Chukwueze scored and then Álex Baena bagged a brace, but they still needed a late rocket from Francis Coquelin to snatch the points.
Having lifted the Europa League in 2021 and reached last season’s Champions League semi-finals, Unai Emery’s team are certainly amongst the favourites to claim this trophy in June.
However, on Sunday night, Villarreal’s unbeaten start to the season came to an end, beaten 1-0 by Real Betis at Estadio Benito Villamarín.
So, will the Yellow Submarine get back on course in Israel?
Hapoel Be’er Sheva meantime have a point on the board after holding Austria Wien to a scoreless draw at Franz Horr Stadium.
The Camels beat Dinamo Minsk, Lugano and Universitatea Craiova in qualifiers to reach their fourth UEFA group stage, all since 2016.
Also, Turner Stadium isn’t an easy place to go, given that Hapoel have only lost two of their last 19 European home games.
The only previous Spanish visitors, Barcelona in 1995, won 7-0, and Villarreal would certainly settle for a similar result.
Group C: Lech Poznań vs Austria Wien
Lech Poznań vs Austria Wien
Lech Poznań to win 2-1 against Austria Vienna- 13/2!
Meanwhile, Group C’s other two clubs will be looking to claim their first victories of the campaign.
Lech Poznań somehow lost in Eastern Spain, despite Michał Skóraś' second minute opener and then Mikael Ishak’s quick-fire brace.
The Ekstraklasa champions were dumped out of Champions League qualifying by Qarabağ in July, but bounced back by ousting Dinamo Batumi, Knattspyrnufélagið Víkingur and Dudelange in this competition.
This is the Railwaymen’s fifth UEFA group stage, but they last reached the knockout rounds in 2010/11.
Austria Wien meantime ended their five-year group stage exile with that frustrating goalless draw against Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
This means the Violets are now winless in nine European matches, dating back to November 2017.
So, John van den Brom’s team will feel confident of claiming a home win at Stadion Miejski w Poznaniu.
Group D: Partizan Belgrade vs Nice
Partizan Belgrade vs Nice
Partizan to draw 2-2 with Nice- 12/1!
With every team kicking off on one point, can either of these two take control of Group D?
Partizan Belgrade took on group minnows Slovácko a week ago, but found themselves 2-0 down in the Czech Republic.
However, Fousseni Diabaté's quick-fire brace followed by Ricardo Gomes’ neat finish then saw them complete a 15 minute turnaround.
Nevertheless, the Black-Whites couldn’t hold on, conceding late to leaving Uherské Hradiště with just a point to show for their efforts.
This is Partizan’s sixth UEFA group stage since 2014, reaching the last 16 of this competition just last season.
If Gordan Petrić's team are to match that achievement, their home form will be key.
Nice meanwhile came from a goal down to draw with Köln last Thursday; Andy Delort’s penalty snatching a point at Allianz Riviera.
This is the Eagles’ fourth group phase appearance, all in the last six years, but they’ve now only won six of 19 matches at this stage.
Will there be a winner in Belgrade?
Group D: Köln vs Slovácko
FC Köln vs Slovácko
Köln to win 2-1 against Slovácko- 17/2!
Meanwhile, after a UEFA group stage debut to remember, will Slovácko now earn their first victory at this level?
Despite Jan Kalabiška’s early brace, the Czech Cup winners then needed a late equaliser from Libor Kozák to draw with Partizan on matchday one.
Prior to beating AIK in the play-off round, Slovácko had never won a European away game in nine attempts.
Thus, needless to say, Martin Svědík’s side travel to Cologne as big underdogs.
Köln meantime could only draw with Nice a week ago; Steffen Tigges breaking the deadlock in the French Riviera.
Die Geißböcke are hoping to reach the knockout stages of a European competition for the first time since 1989/90.
The German outfit have won 23 of their last 31 continental home games, including beating Arsenal and BATE Borisov when they last featured in a group stage in 2017.
Will Steffen Baumgart’s team be too strong at RheinEnergieStadion?
Group E: AZ Alkmaar vs Vaduz
AZ Alkmaar vs Vaduz
AZ to win 3-0 against Vaduz- 6/1!
AZ were the only club in Group E to score a goal on matchday one, so will they pull clear with another victory?
A week ago, Dani de Wit’s close-range finish saw the visitors beat Dnipro-1 at their temporary home in Košice.
The Cheeseheads are competing in their 14th UEFA group stage in 18 seasons, having demolished Tuzla City, Dundee United and Gil Vicente during qualification.
Pascal Jansen’s team reached the round of 16 in this tournament last season, and should cruise through this group too.
In contrast, Vaduz have made history by becoming the first Liechtenstein-based club to qualify for a group phase.
Alessandro Mangiarratti’s team knocked out Konyaspor and Rapid Wien to achieve this, so are capable of springing a surprise on the road.
On matchday one, Vaduz played out a generally uneventful goalless draw with Apollon Limassol at Rheinpark Stadion.
In this one, the side who ply their trade in Switzerland’s second-tier as likely to be outclassed at AFAS Stadion.
Group E: Apollon Limassol vs Dnipro-1
Apollon Limassol vs Dnipro-1
Apollon Limassol to win 1-0 against Dnipro-1- 13/2!
Will Apollon make home advantage count 54 miles north of Limassol in Nicosia?
On matchday one, the Cypriot champions were unable to beat Vaduz in Liechtenstein, held to a goalless draw.
So, having been beaten in qualifiers by Maccabi Haifa and Olympiacos this season, they’re now winless in eight European outings.
This is Apollon’s fifth UEFA group stage appearance, all in the last decade, but they’ll need to end that barren run if they’re to reach the knockout phase for the first time ever.
Dnipro-1 meantime were narrowly beaten 1-0 by AZ at their temporary home of Košická futbalová aréna in Slovakia.
This is their debut European campaign, although they are a phoenix club of 2015 Europa League Finalists Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk.
Oleksandr Kucher’s team will return to Cyprus three weeks after they were easily beaten 3-0 by AEK Larnaca in the Europa League play-offs.
A similar outcome could be on the cards at GSP Stadium.
Group F: Gent vs Shamrock Rovers
Gent vs Shamrock Rovers
Gent to win 2-0 against Shamrock Rovers- 11/2!
After both Group F matches finished goalless on opening night, will there be more excitement this time?
For Shamrock Rovers, they were very frustrated not to beat Djurgårdens IF in Dublin, failing to beat an inspired visiting goalkeeper.
On the other hand, the Hoops lost all six matches when they last featured in a UEFA group stage 11 years ago.
So, the League of Ireland Champions have already improved on that, now seeking a famous victory in Belgium.
Gent meantime were probably satisfied with the scoreless draw they earned against Molde at Røkkeløkka.
De Buffalo’s are competing in a sixth group stage in 12 season, topping their group 12 months ago before falling to PAOK in the round of 16.
In fact, Gent have lost both European home matches in 2022, despite being unbeaten in six during the previous calendar year.
So, will it be a famous night for the travelling Rovers supporters at Ghelamco Arena?
Group F: Djurgården vs Molde
Djurgårdens IF vs Molde
Djurgården to draw 1-1 with Molde- 5/1!
Djurgården too were pleased to get off the mark on matchday one, doing so on the road in their first-ever group stage fixture.
The Swedish club won all three home matches during qualifying, overcoming Rijeka, Sepsi OSK Sfântu Gheorghe and APOEL.
So, they’ll hope Tele2 Arena become a bit of a fortress.
Molde though will certainly be the toughest test Djurgårdens IF have faced in Europe for almost two decades.
The Norwegian club reached the Europa League round of 16 just two seasons ago, with this their fourth UEFA group stage.
This will be Molde’s first visit to Sweden since their first-evameer g in UEFA competition, a 6-0 drubbing by Öster in 1975.
Fast forward 47 years, will Erling Moe’s men be too strong in Stockholm?
Group G: Slavia Prague vs Ballkani
Slavia Prague vs Ballkani
Slavia Praha to win 3-0 against Ballkani- 9/2!
Ballkani claimed a point in their maiden match in a UEFA group stage, but it could’ve been even more.
The Kosovar champions looked set to beat Cluj in Pristina, Armend Thaçi breaking the deadlock, only for the Romanian side to equalise in stoppage time.
On the road this time, things are about to get a whole lot tougher for Ilir Daja’s team.
Slavia Prague meanwhile are big favourites to top this section, earning a draw in Turkey on matchday one.
Peter Olayinka gave them an early lead at New Sivas 4 Eylül Stadium, only for Sivasspor to equalise on the half hour mark.
Jindřich Trpišovský's team have been mightily impressive in recent seasons, reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa League in 2019 and 2021 as well as this competition last season.
With this season’s Europa Conference League Final at their own stadium, the Slavists are double determined to be there.
A home victory seems very likely in the Czech capital.
Group G: CFR Cluj vs Sivasspor
CFR Cluj vs Sivasspor
CFR Cluj to draw 1-1 with Sivasspor- 11/2!
After both rescued draws on matchday one, will either claim all three points in Transylvania?
CFR Cluj needed a stoppage time leveller from Yuri Matias to salvage a point away to Ballkani a week ago.
The Romanian champions finished rock bottom of their group last season, but have won three consecutive European home matches.
If Dan Petrescu’s team are going to sneak into the knockout phase, their home form will be key.
Sivasspor meantime held Slavia Praha to a 1-1 draw at home, thanks to Dia Saba’s equaliser.
The Turkish Cup winners are aiming to reach the knockout phase for the first time ever, coming third in their only previous UEFA group two years ago.
With Slavia Praha expected to top the section and Ballkani rank-outsiders, these two will probably be fighting for second.
Thus, will either claim three massive points at Stadionul Dr. Constantin Rădulescu?
Group H: Žalgiris Vilnius vs Basel
Žalgiris Vilnius vs FC Basel
Basel to win 2-0 against Žalgiris- 15/2!
FC Basel already led the way in Group H, and that’s where they intend to stay.
A week ago, Darian Males’ penalty followed by Wouter Burger’s brace saw off Pyunik at St. Jakob-Park.
Historically, RotBlau boast impressive European pedigree:
Champions League knockout stages (2012, 2015 & 2018) and Europa League semi-finalists (2013), reaching the last eight of that competition just three seasons ago.
Basel fell to Marseille in the round of 16 in this tournament back in March, but are hoping for an even longer run this time round.
Hosts Žalgiris Vilnius have already made history this season, becoming the first Lithuanian club ever to compete in a UEFA group stage.
On debut, the Green-Whites held ŠK Slovan Bratislava to a goalless draw at Tehelné pole last Thursday.
This though will be an even tougher assignment for Vladimir Cheburin’s team as they seek to extend their five-match unbeaten home run in Europe.
Will Basel be too strong at LFF Stadium?
Group H: Pyunik vs ŠK Slovan Bratislava
Pyunik vs ŠK Slovan Bratislava
Slovan Bratislava to win 1-0 against Pyunik- 11/2!
With second spot very much up for grabs in Group H, who will claim three vital points in Yerevan?
ŠK Slovan Bratislava were frustrated on matchday one, held to a goalless draw by Žalgiris Vilnius at Tehelné pole.
The Sky Blues won the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1969, beating Barcelona in the final, but have never made it through a modern-day UEFA group in four attempts.
Pyunik meantime are competing a group phase for the very first time, now looking to get off the mark.
Artak Dashyan did have them level at St. Jakob-Park against Basel, but the Swiss giants went on to win 3-1.
Concerningly, Yegishe Melikyan’s team have only won one of their last eight European home games, drawing two and losing two so far this season.
So, the Slovakian champions will fancy their chances of defeating their Armenian counterparts at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium.
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