Honestly, if you haven't been keeping a close eye on the soccer Europa League results lately, you're missing a total fever dream. Gone are the days of those predictable four-team groups where the big fish just coasted to the knockouts. In this 2025-26 season, the new league phase format has turned the middle of January into a high-stakes scramble.
Basically, it’s chaos.
We’re sitting here in mid-January 2026, and the table looks... well, it looks wrong. But in a good way. If you told me back in August that Lyon and Midtjylland would be staring down the likes of Aston Villa and Roma from the very top of the standings, I’d have said you were dreaming. Yet, here we are.
The Standings: Soccer Europa League Results That No One Predicted
Let’s look at the actual numbers because they’re kinda wild. As of the latest updates leading into the final January matchdays, Lyon and FC Midtjylland are currently sitting pretty at the top with 15 points each.
Lyon has been clinical. They’ve managed 13 goals and kept four clean sheets across their six matches. It’s the kind of consistency that makes them look like genuine favorites to go all the way to the final in Istanbul this May.
💡 You might also like: Carlos Arroyo Jersey Puerto Rico: Why This One Shirt Still Defines a Nation
But Midtjylland? That’s the real story.
The Danish side has been an absolute nightmare for "bigger" clubs to deal with. They’ve scrapped their way to 15 points, matching Lyon’s record. They aren't just winning; they are leading the competition in tackles (110) and balls recovered. It's blue-collar football at its finest.
The Top 8 Power Struggle
The goal for everyone right now is that top eight spot. Finish there, and you skip the "knockout play-off" round entirely. It’s a massive advantage.
- Aston Villa: They’ve been solid under Unai Emery (the king of this tournament, let's be real). With 15 points and a goal difference of +6, they are virtually locks for the Round of 16.
- Real Betis: Right behind them on 14 points. They’ve played some of the most attractive football in the tournament, mostly thanks to their passing accuracy which is hovering around 86.8%.
- SC Freiburg & Ferencváros: Both are sitting on 14 points. Seeing Ferencváros up here is a huge testament to the growth of Hungarian football. They’ve been incredibly tough to break down.
Who's Actually Lighting It Up?
If we’re talking about the players behind these soccer Europa League results, we have to talk about Stanic. The Ludogorets man has been on an absolute tear, leading the scoring charts with 6 goals.
✨ Don't miss: Buying NY Giants Game Tickets: Why It Is Harder (And Weirder) Than You Think
Then you have the creative engines. Celta Vigo’s Zaragoza has been a cheat code, racking up 4 assists already. It’s not just the usual suspects from the Premier League or Serie A doing the damage anymore.
One name that scouts are obsessed with right now is Tyrese Asante at Maccabi Tel Aviv. The guy is a physical freak. He leads the tournament in tackles (20) and has some of the highest recorded max speeds in the competition. He’s basically a one-man defensive wall.
The "Big" Teams Struggling
It hasn't been sunshine and rainbows for everyone. Roma and Fenerbahçe are currently outside that top-eight safety zone. They are likely heading for the play-off rounds.
Roma, specifically, has been a bit of an enigma. They have the talent—Soulé has the joint-most attempts on target in the league—but they haven't been able to turn that dominance into enough points. They’re sitting on 12 points, which isn’t a disaster, but it’s definitely not where their fans expected them to be.
📖 Related: Cliff Harris Oregon Ducks: What Really Happened to the Cheese on Top?
Why the New Format Changed Everything
The old format was stale. We all knew it.
Now, every goal matters because you aren't just competing against three other teams; you’re competing against 35. One bad result can see you drop ten places in the standings.
Take a look at the "unseeded" territory (spots 17-24). You’ve got Lille, Young Boys, and Celtic all fighting for their lives. Celtic, in particular, has had a rough go, with a goal difference of -4. They’ve had moments of brilliance, like Kasper Schmeichel pulling off 22 saves already, but they’ve been leaky at the back.
The January 22nd Showdown
The upcoming fixtures are going to be a bloodbath. We have:
- Feyenoord vs. SK Sturm Graz: Feyenoord needs a win to climb out of the elimination danger zone.
- Roma vs. VfB Stuttgart: This is basically a battle for seeding. Whoever wins this likely secures a "seeded" spot in the play-offs, avoiding the Champions League drop-outs (though this year, the "drop-out" rule has changed significantly).
- Bologna vs. Celtic: A massive "must-win" for both.
Real-World Impact and Actionable Insights
If you’re following these soccer Europa League results for betting, scouting, or just bragging rights at the pub, here’s what you need to keep in mind:
- Watch the "Tackle" Stats: Teams like Genk and Midtjylland are winning games because of their defensive work rate, not just flair. High tackle volume is a great indicator of who's going to cover the spread in away games.
- The "Top 8" Fatigue: Teams like Lyon and Villa might rotate heavily in their final league game if their spot is secured. Keep an eye on team sheets for the final matchday in late January.
- The Home Advantage is Shrinking: In this new format, away teams are playing more aggressively because they need the points to climb the single table. Don't automatically bet on the home favorite.
The Europa League has officially shed its "Champions League's little brother" vibe. It’s become its own beast—unpredictable, fast, and honestly, a bit exhausting to keep up with. But that’s why we love it.
Next Steps for Your Football Weekend:
Check the live injury reports for the January 22nd fixtures, specifically focusing on Lyon’s midfield. If they rest their starters, the top-of-the-table race could flip in an afternoon. You should also verify the "European Performance Spots" standings, as the success of teams like Ferencváros and Midtjylland is currently shifting the coefficient rankings for next season's Champions League slots.