UEFA Europa League Group Stage Predictions: Arsenal to ease through, Tricky for the Toffees

Group E

Everton have drawn some big European names in their draw

Having spent more than £140 million on personnel this summer, Ronald Koeman's Everton would at least have thought they'd have a shot at silverware in this season's Europa League but the Toffees have been dealt a tricky hand in drawing French giants Lyon, exciting Italians Atalanta and Appollon Limassol of Cyprus.

With four points from their opening two EPL encounters, including a draw at Manchester City, Everton appear to be in fine form at the moment and Wayne Rooney's retirement from international football means he is now able to dedicate himself fully to his beloved club. The Merseyside club are by far the strongest on paper but will have their squad depth tested with intensity of Premier League matches coupled with the inexperience of such a busy schedule. As a result, they could easily slump to a second place finish in the group.

Lyon meanwhile will be plying their trade in a much weaker league and will be able to afford to rest players for Europe if needed. Mariano and Nail Fékir have been in impressive form up-top in Ligue 1 so far and Lyon have numerous players who can get on the scoresheet so should navigate a way into the knockout phase.

Atalanta finished an impressive fourth in Serie A last term, beating the likes of Roma, Napoli and Inter Milan at home and all sides in the group will find it difficult to break them down at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia but they are likely to be inconsistent on their travels and are just a bit short of the quality of Lyon and Everton.

Appollon Limassol looked exciting going forwards in their qualifier against FC Midtjylland and will thrive on a lack of expectation but not enough to cause any serious upsets.

1st - Lyon

2nd - Everton

3rd - Atalanta

4th - Appollon Limassol

Group F

By selling Andreas Cornelius to the aforementioned Atalanta this summer, FC Copenhagen lost their top goalscorer from last season and have consequently lost some potency up-front. However, the Danish champions have drawn reasonably mediocre opposition in Lokomotiv Moscow, Sherriff Tiraspol of Moldova and the very Europa League sounding Zlín from Czech Republic.

FC Copenhagen have alternated between the Champions League and the Europa League in recent seasons gone by the crucial fact is they've remained in the European frame, something which cannot be said for their counterparts in Group F. Lokomotiv Moscow qualified for the Europa League this term by virtue of winning the Russian Cup last season but nonetheless looked equipped to occupy second spot with their array of known attacking talents in Jefferson Farfan, Eder and Alan Kasaev.

Although their minimal experience of facing bigger sides will likely rule them out of qualifying for the knockout phases, Sherriff Tiraspol could have a say in who finishes top if they spring the odd shock result, whilst Zlín will merely view the competition as an added bonus after they too qualified through winning their nation's domestic cup.

1st - FC Copenhagen

2nd - Lokomotiv Moscow

3rd - Sherriff Tiraspol

4th - Zlín