UEFA Coefficient Roundup: Qualifying Week 3

The UEFA club competition qualifying rounds continued over the past week, with the first legs of the second qualifying round taking place. Over 100 teams were involved across the three competitions as they continue their push for league phase football. Not only that - they are also striving to win UEFA coefficient points for their countries.

With that in mind, there is much to discuss regarding the battles in the five-year rankings this week. We are close to seeing a few countries be eliminated for the season, while others are just getting started. Here is a look at where things stand in the UEFA coefficient rankings.

Battle for 50th: Estonia Climbs Out

There was significant movement in the battle for 50th, where one country managed to clear the bottom five. Perhaps it is no surprise that it is Estonia, who are having a splendid summer thus far. Moving up three spots to 48th, there is a new country in the bottom five, which is Luxembourg.

Estonia, along with Lithuania and Georgia, were the only three countries to claim points over the course of the week. In doing so, it means that places 49 through 52 are just 0.540 points apart. It is almost a given that the last two spots in the top 50 will be between Gibraltar, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg, and Georgia.

The worrying sign for Luxembourg is, unlike the other three, they could be eliminated at the end of next week should Atert Bissen and UNA Strassen fail to recover from their heavy first leg losses. Montenegro and Wales, who have a combined 0.125 points this term, are in the same boat. That means that we could very well have four of the bottom five places - including San Marino - known by this point next week.

Despite a week with two losses, Andorra are well poised to stay in the top 50 for the second year running. Lithuania are just about clear as well, and could even have multiple clubs in the third qualifying round. Gibraltar and Northern Ireland have both been poor, but still remain out of the bottom five for now. The third qualifying round of the Europa League will be key for the pair, as they look to send their domestic champions to the league phase once more.

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Heading into week four, the pressure is on Luxembourg to stay alive. Georgia, Gibraltar, and Northern Ireland are the main perpetrators now for top 50, and we should see at least two countries end their season after the second qualifying round deciders.

Battle for 33rd/38th: Latvia Continue to Fly

There were a mix of strong and poor performances for the countries in the battle for top 33/top 38. One nation is closing in on top 33, while another started off well to put the pressure on 38th place.

While it has not been a phenomenal start for Ireland, they are well on their way to retaining a top 33 berth. Their lead over 34th spot is over 2.500 points, though Shamrock Rovers' Champions League defeat - to a direct rival in Ararat-Armenia - is not promising. Speaking of Armenia, they have had better luck thus far, and have a realistic chance of having all of their teams in the third qualifying round.

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The revelation of the season at this stage are Latvia, who collected another three wins. They are 8-0-2 on this summer, and have already claimed 2.000 points. That is the most match points won by any one nation so far. They are clear of 39th, and could even make a push for top 33 as well.

Bosnia and Kosovo are still alive for top 33, but they will need to do better than what they have done so far. As for Kazakhstan, a top 38 place could be under threat given how things have gone. Already down to two teams, it will be vital for them not to lose Tobol in the Conference League next Thursday.

Finland will have to watch from below, particularly at Liechtenstein, who started off with a win from Vaduz. If the club can reach the playoff round, that could very well be enough to propel them into the top 38. At that point, Kazakhstan and Finland would have to watch out.

Finally, Moldova and Faroe Islands produced identical records on the week of just 0.125 points, which does not help their cause for 38th. The latter can still count on another four matches after this week, while the former are guaranteed only two more. How this next week progresses will speak volumes as to what to expect from the pair going forward.

Next week is a crucial week in the race for 38th, while the top 33 could also truly see a big divide if Bosnia and Kosovo cannot close the gap a little bit.

Battle for 22nd/29th: Croatia, Slovakia Dominate

The majority of countries in contention for top 22/top 29 spots had a very good week, with many earning 0.500 points. In fact, only three nations - Scotland, Romania, and Ukraine - earned 0.250 or less.

The one major talking point at this rate is that race for 22nd, where Romania and Ukraine could find themselves in a position of bother. After all, neither country managed to win this week. Croatia, who had a phenomenal week, are less than a point behind both nations, and could strike by the end of the second qualifying round.

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Hungary, Sweden, and Austria will be quite pleased with how their weeks went. They solidified their chances of a top 22 finish, while Austria even moved up to 20th. A similar showing next week will have them in a great position to steer clear of this battle by the time the league phase starts.

As for Slovenia and Israel, they earned 0.750 points each, which could position them to be serious challengers for a place in the top 22 should that run continue.

Azerbaijan stumbled after going perfect the first two weeks. Still, they are in a great place to avoid dropping out of the top 29. Slovakia impressed, winning 0.875 points to jump ahead of Bulgaria. While Serbia and Iceland did well, they could not truly make headway to those above them.

Pay attention to the countries that lose teams after next week. That will put the spotlight on them right away. Lose multiple sides, and the pressure will mount considerably. It will be a massive advantage to still have their champion in the UCL, something that not of them will be able to say after next week.

Battle for 14th: Cyprus With Fastest Start

We move to the top 15 in the ranking now, where the battle for 14th started. Denmark, Norway, and Cyprus are the main competitors here, and only one of them can be left satisfied with how the week has gone.

Cyprus, by and large, were the winners of the week, with victories from Omonoia Nicosia and Apollon Limassol setting them apart. That won them 0.500 points, more than double what the Nordic duo managed to collect.

Denmark in particular were a massive disappointment, as three of their four clubs were beaten. The other, FC København, unexpectedly drew. They surely cannot be satisfied with what happened. If there is good news, it is the fact that outside of AGF, the other three ties are still salvageable. Make amends next week, and they will be back on track.

For Norway, their two teams also left points on the table. Tromsø were beaten in the UEL, while Brann could only muster a draw. The latter have no room for error, as defeat next week would eliminate them and put their country at an early deficit.

It is all to play for next week, as the trio will be aiming to have all their teams in the third qualifying round. Denmark will hope to have at least one team left in the UCL and/or UEL, with Cyprus having a similar hope.

Battle for Top 10: Greece Get to Work

The race for ninth and 10th also commenced this past week, and right off the bat, Türkiye and Greece came out firing. Much is expected from both nations this term, and so far, they have not disappointed.

The only negative for the Turks is the fact İstanbul Başakşehir drew their UECL home leg. It makes the task in Finland that much more stressful. Losing them would be a big blow for the nation, who is the favourite to hold onto ninth place.

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Greece, meanwhile, earned wins from PAOK and Panathinaikos. It is simply a matter of repeating that next week. If the pair can do their job and get to a league phase, Czechia and Poland better watch out.

Speaking of the Czechs and Polish sides, they will certainly have reason to worry. Both saw a UECL side fall to defeat. In both cases it was one-goal away losses, meaning it does not spell immediate disaster. However, in a season where every result matters, the pair will have wanted more.

The UECL teams are the key for all four countries, who will want as many league phase teams as possible. Expectations are justifiably high, but now it is a matter of living up to them.

A Look at Everyone Else

We conclude by looking at the other countries not involved in a five-year UEFA coefficient battle. Switzerland and Belarus are certainly the happiest after how this week went. Having gone unbeaten while claiming two wins, they will be striving to add onto that next week.

Each of Portugal, Belgium, and Netherlands earned half of the points available to them. None of the trio saw their UEL sides win, with Benfica and Twente losing their games. Definitely keep an eye on what happens there next week.

North Macedonia are on the verge of elimination after their two remaining teams lost their first leg matches. That also looks possible for Malta, who are very fortunate to have won anything this week. Albania had two draws from their teams, with Belarus passing them and Malta. Outside of Albania, the other three could lose all of their teams next week if things do not go well for them.