This article is a short update following on from the longer explanatory article from a fortnight ago, which can be read at the below link. The update follows the conclusion of the QR1 ties, which affect the final seedings ahead of the next draw.
The third qualifying round draws for UEFA’s three competitions take place this Monday, the morning after the World Cup Final. The Champions League draw is first at 11am, followed by Europa League at 12pm and Conference League at 1pm.
Now that the first qualifying round has completed, we can say for certain which teams will be in the draw, and the club coefficient required to be above the ‘seeding line’ in each of the three tournaments.
This has resulted in some minor changes in the list of possible opponents for the Scottish sides, while also providing slightly more clarity by removing some other sides that have now been eliminated.
On Monday morning I will put out another article, following UEFA releasing the final groupings for each team. This will include the capacity of each stadium, expected away allocation, and best possible flights to book for each potential opponent.
Celtic (seeded)
As explained in the original article, Celtic are not in this draw, and there has been no change in their potential opponents for the playoff round draw. However they will take interest in the results of second qualifying round, as the ‘seeded line’ could still move - pushing AEK Athens into the seeded half and so removing them as a possible opponent.
I’d like to see Celtic drawn against anyone except AEK Athens (the Greeks could still be moved to the seeded side of the draw anyway, and so Celtic would avoid them).
Hearts (unseeded)
Hearts will be in the first two draws, both the Champions League and Europa League. There has been no change in their potential opponents in the Champions League, but their Europa League opponents have changed slightly.
Champions League
These are the only four opponents Hearts can face, and they will not be narrowed down by groupings on the morning of the draw.
I’d like to see Hearts drawn against the winners of Fenerbahce vs Gornik Zabrze, hoping the Poles then cause an upset in QR2.
Europa League
These are the only five opponents Hearts can face, and they will be narrowed down to either three or four on the morning of the draw.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Scotland's Coefficient to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.