Europa League Second Qualifying Round Preview

The next two Thursdays will see the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round come to the forefront. A total of 18 clubs will be involved in this round, with many of them no strangers to continental football. Six sides competed in the first qualifying round, joining the 12 direct entrants.

Here is a preview of the nine ties in the UEL's second round of qualification.

Big Sides Face Early Pressure

The biggest side to partake in this round are Benfica, who face Swiss Cup winners Sankt Gallen. This is the earliest that the Portuguese giants have ever had to enter any UEFA club competition under the modern formats. It is the first time under the group phase era that the Lisbon-based club will have to play six matches in qualifying. They will be overwhelming favourites versus a Sankt Gallen club who have only progressed once before in UEL qualification.

After surviving a penalty shootout in the first qualifying round, Dynamo Kyiv will face even stiffer opposition in the form of PAOK Thessaloniki. The Ukrainian side will take comfort in knowing they have a rather decent record against Greek teams, winning six of 12 previous ties (6-4-2 overall). That includes both of their previous matches versus PAOK, which came in the 1976/77 European Cup second round. Those two results account for PAOK's only defeats against a Ukrainian team, as they are unbeaten in seven since.

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Much will also be expected from Anderlecht, as the Belgians face a Swedish side in the UEL second qualifying round for the second year running. This time, the former UEFA Cup winners have Hammarby. BK Häcken eliminated the Brussels-based outfit on penalties last term, making it the first time Paars-Wit failed to get past UEL qualifying. Hammarby will fancy their chances here after they took out Sporting Charleroi in this round of the Conference League last summer.

Tie of the Round: Beşiktaş vs FC Midtjylland

The most fascinating tie in this second qualifying round sees Beşiktaş go up against Denmark's FC Midtjylland. It should be a cracking tie between two sides who expect to get through the qualifying rounds.

After last August's UECL elimination in the playoff round, Beşiktaş will want to turn things around. Finishing fourth in their domestic league last term, Kara Kartallar will be out with a point to prove. Interestingly, this is their first crack against a Danish side in European action. In their last three participations in the UEL qualifiers, they failed to get to the group phase twice.

They will be up against a confident Midtjylland team who made the round of 16 in the Europa League last season and the knockout round playoffs the year before. The Danes won their domestic cup while finishing second in the domestic league, and will want more this term. With that said, Ulvene have never come out on top against a Turkish side, losing twice in three previous matches.

Close Ties Make for Exciting Round

There will be little to separate most of these ties in the UEL, with Qarabağ's meeting with CSKA-Sofia being no different. The Azeris scored eight times in two games versus Ludogorets, and will want to keep that impressive scoring run going against a CSKA team back in Europe after a three-year hiatus. They have not been in a group phase since 2021/22.

Ferencváros have a tricky tie against Twente to contend with. Entering the UEL qualifiers directly for the first time since 2018/19, the Hungarians have just one win in seven versus Dutch opposition (1-2-4). Meanwhile, Twente are enjoying European football for the third time in the last five years. Their last appearance saw them reach the knockout phase of the UEL, only to lose to Bodø/Glimt.

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Elsewhere, Hajduk Split will look to finally return to a group phase as they meet a Pafos squad aiming for three league phase showings in a row. The Cypriot Cup winners lost their only other UEL tie against Elfsborg two summers back. Tromsø and Hradec Králové look to make the most of their opportunity to go one step closer to a league phase. The Czech side reached the quarterfinals in both of their other European journeys, though this is their first run in 31 years.

Sheriff Tiraspol take on Maccabi Tel Aviv as both teams are looking to rediscover their continental form after some dismal performances in recent years. This tie represents a great chance for both sides, with Sheriff striving to get past an Israeli club in qualifying at the third time of asking.