Brighton go into Europe as the English side most likely to lift a trophy. They finished eighth in the Premier League in 2025, scored 52 league goals and conceded 46, a record that looks good enough to carry into a Conference League campaign with real ambitions. Their only previous European run ended in the Europa League round of 16 in 2023-24, but this draw is far kinder than what some of the others face.
Brighton's route looks the most manageable
The toughest tests on Brighton's Conference League schedule are away to Getafe and Panathinaikos, plus Monaco at home. That is not an easy set of games by any stretch, yet it is still a more navigable path than the kind of group of opponents that can greet clubs in the Europa League.
Brighton's domestic numbers support the case. Eighth place in 2025 was backed by 52 goals for and 46 against, which points to a side with enough attacking punch and enough control to survive a busy European autumn. They have been in Europe once before, and that experience should help a squad that now looks stronger than the one that went out in 2023-24.
Sunderland, Bournemouth and Palace have different jobs
Sunderland are the most interesting challenge to Brighton's status. They begin their first European campaign in 53 years, and are preparing for their first UEFA competition since 1973. Their first European fixture on home soil since beating Sporting Lisbon 2-1 in the first leg of a 1973 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup second-round tie carries obvious weight, even if the football question is simpler: can they turn a friendlier Europa League path into progress?
On league form, Sunderland finished seventh in 2025, which gives them a credible base. Regis Le Bris said his side were frustrated after the Arsenal defeat and felt they went toe-to-toe with them for long spells, which fits the idea of a team that can compete without yet looking dominant every week.
Bournemouth have the most obvious milestone story. They are competing in their first-ever European campaign, and they start it against Real Sociedad on Thursday. Finishing sixth in the Premier League in 2025 shows they did not stumble into the competition, but this is still the club's first time dealing with Europe at all.
Crystal Palace sit in a trickier middle ground. They finished 10th in the Conference League in 2025 and have Lyon, Besiktas, Hoffenheim, Real Sociedad and RB Salzburg to negotiate. That does not make them outsiders by default, but it does make them harder to place than Brighton or Sunderland.
The argument for Brighton is still the strongest one. Sunderland may have the neatest Europa League route, and Bournemouth's debut carries the best story, but Brighton have the most convincing mix of league output, previous European exposure and a draw that looks manageable enough to keep them in the frame deep into the competition.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →
