UEFA Europa League 2013: Most Likely Clubs to Join from Champions League

It won’t be all misery for the sides that exit the Champions League at the first hurdle.

Those clubs that finish third in their respective groups in Europe’s premier competition will secure a pass into the knock-out stages of the Europa League.

The Europa League can sometimes be viewed as a fatigue-inducing tournament for some top teams, but for others it represents a great opportunity to get a taste of football on the Continent with the opportunity to pick up some silverware at the end. 

The draw for the round of 32 will be made on Dec. 16, and the 24 remaining Europa League teams will be joined in the pot by the eight sides demoted from the Champions League.

And with one game to go, it’s all to play for in the Champions League.  

Not one side has yet cemented third place in their respective groups, but here’s a look at the clubs most likely to be in that position once play concludes. 

CSKA Moscow 

CSKA Moscow have one foot in the Europa League after a 3-1 defeat at home to Bayern Munich. 

The Russian side have lost both home and away games against Manchester City and Bayern, with their sole win coming at home to Viktoria Plzen.

Plzen are yet to get on the board in Group D, and they face an uphill task to unseat CSKA from the Europa League spot.

Both sides face off in the Czech Republic on Matchday 6, and Plzen will need to win by three goals if they’re to still be playing European football post-Christmas.   

Ajax

Ajax kept their Champions League hopes alive with a 2-1 win over Barcelona on Matchday 5. But it may be a case of too little, too late for the Dutch champions. 

They currently sit third in Group H on seven points with AC Milan on eight, but they face a tough trip to the San Siro for their last game. 

AC Milan haven’t been enjoying a great season, but it’s difficult to bet against one of Europe’s most decorated teams. 

Benfica

Benfica clinched a dramatic 3-2 win away to Anderlecht in their penultimate Group C game to keep the pressure on Olympiacos, who lie second.  

Both teams now sit on seven points, but Olympiacos will be favourites to advance in the Champions League.  

The Greek side entertain Anderlecht on Matchday 6, while Benfica host the more daunting challenger, Paris Saint-Germain. 

On paper, it looks as though it will be the Portuguese side making the step down. 

Porto

Porto face a difficult trip to Madrid to take on the in-form Atletico in their final Group game. 

The former champions can clinch second spot if they better Zenit’s score. But with the Russian team travelling to Vienna to take on Austria Wien, who have yet to collect a point at home in the competition this season, that outcome looks unlikely. 

If all four sides play to form then Porto will be one of the eight teams linking up with the Europa League.

Napoli

Napoli may be the unfortunate side that collects 12 points, yet still fails to progress to the Champions League round of 16.  

Rafa Benitez’s charges will need to win by three goals at home to Arsenal if they’re to advance, or else they can hope for Borussia Dortmund to suffer an unlikely heavy defeat to Marseille. 

Neither scenario looks promising for the Italian side, who will more than likely be in the Europa League hat. 

Final Spots

The remaining three spots are too close to call. 

Juventus, Galatasary and Copenhagen could all yet finish third in Group B with Real Madrid the run-away leaders. 

In Group E, the battle for second place is between Schalke and Basel, while Group A will produce either Shakhtar Donetsk or Bayer Leverkusen after Manchester United secured their passage with victory over the latter.