The Europa League proper takes centre stage this week as 36 teams lock horns in the league phase across Wednesday and Thursday.
Four of the 18 fixtures involve English and Scottish clubs. It will be an historic moment for Bournemouth on their European debut, Sunderland are preparing for their first European game since 1973, and Crystal Palace start their second continental campaign as the reigning Conference League champions.
As for Celtic, they have plenty of European experience to draw on, as does their skipper Callum McGregor, who is on the cusp of reaching another milestone.
Read on for the best Europa League stats you might see in the games featuring these four clubs.
Europa League stats you might see in Gameweek 1
Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar (Wednesday, 8pm)
- Sunderland could condemn AZ Alkmaar to their 12th successive European away defeat in England.
Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland will take to the field for their first game in major European competition since 1973 – a staggering gap of 53 years. Only two clubs have ever waited longer between matches in major European competition: Go Ahead Eagles (59y 353d) and Union Saint-Gilloise (57y 336d).
Thursday’s duel against AZ Alkmaar will only be Sunderland’s fifth European game in total. But, while they may lack European experience, they can draw on AZ Alkmaar’s sorry streak in England.
The Dutch club have lost all 11 of their previous European away games on these shores, including five defeats in the last three years to West Ham, Aston Villa, Tottenham (twice), and Crystal Palace.
On top of that, AZ are winless in eight straight Europa League away games, six of which they’ve lost.
Crystal Palace vs Lech Poznan (Thursday, 8pm)
- The reigning Conference League holders have won their first game of the following European campaign only once in four attempts.
Crystal Palace begin their first ever Europa League campaign on the back of winning the 2025/26 Conference League in their first season in Europe.
Palace won 11 of their 17 matches in the Conference League last season (including qualifiers) as they became the first club since KV Mechelen in 1988 to win a European trophy at the first attempt.
Oliver Glasner has, of course, departed, with Pierre Sage now tasked with keeping those special European nights at Selhurst Park.
One potentially ominous statistic is that the reigning Conference League holders have won their first European game in the following campaign in only one of four seasons. Three of which have been defeats. West Ham are the only exception.
Palace are, however, unbeaten in their last six European home games, winning four. Meanwhile, visiting Lech Poznan have lost three of their four matches against English clubs, but did upset Man City 3-1 back in 2010.
Real Sociedad vs Bournemouth (Thursday, 8pm)
- Bournemouth will take to the field for their first European match in their 127-year history.
There is a real buzz in Bournemouth as the club prepares for its first ever competitive European match in their 127-year history.
But while the club itself is venturing into new territory, their manager Marco Rose can utilise his own experience. The German has won 17 and lost just seven of his 32 matches in the Europa League and didn’t lose a single home European game during his time at Salzburg (W10 D2), who he led to the semi-finals in 2018.
The Cherries have been handed a tough opening fixture away to Real Sociedad, who were competing in the Champions League knockout stages as recently as 2024. But, the Spanish side don’t tend to fare well against English opposition, having just won one of their 10 meetings. Their last Europa League match was a 4-1 defeat at Manchester United in the round of 16 in March 2025.
Celtic vs Ferencvaros (Thursday, 8pm)
- Callum McGregor could become only the fifth Scottish player to accumulate 75 games in Europe after Allan McGregor (78), Billy Bremner (76), David Narey (76), and Kenny Dalglish (75).
Celtic captain Callum McGregor already holds the Celtic record for matches played (74) in European competition.
Now, on Thursday night, the midfielder can join an exclusive club featuring only four other Scottish players to have accumulated 75 matches in Europe: Allan McGregor (78), Billy Bremner (76), David Narey (76), and Kenny Dalglish (75).
On a side note, none of Celtic’s last 22 Europa League home games have been draws. During this run they have won 11 and lost 11 games since the points were shared against Fenerbahce in October 2015.
