British clubs in the Europa League: Every mile covered and who might pay the price this weekend
British clubs are in action in the Europa League this week and have some serious travelling to get through before returning to Britain for this weekend’s fixtures.
The first game week of the Europa League has arrived after the opening several weeks of Europe’s biggest league tournaments.
Manchester United are set to lose £50m not being in the Europa League as the commercial value of Europe’s second largest tournament is highlighted for the likes of Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, who are set to take part this season; as well as Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers.
The pressure placed on clubs travelling around Europe is set to be revealed as the Europa League gears up, so here’s a closer look at how Britain’s sides in the Europa League will fare after Tottenham lifted the trophy last season.
Nottingham Forest
With one win in five Premier League games this season, Nottingham Forest are not at the level supporters grew accustomed to last season. They finished seventh in the 2024-25 campaign and narrowly missed out on Champions League football.
They still made it into the Europa League and are now set to play their first game of the tournament against La Liga outfit Real Betis.
Douglas Luiz has sent a fierce warning to Real Betis as they gear up for the tournament on the back of a terrible start to the Premier League season, which has left them stranded in the relegation zone.
Forest must travel 2,984 miles round-trip to Spain before returning to England to face Sunderland on Saturday, placing a unique strain on a club unused to the rigours of European match preparation.
Fortunately, they face Sunderland at home this weekend, which reduces their overall travel time and allows the team to return from their European encounter without any extra logistics to consider.
- Wednesday: Real Betis vs. Nott’m Forest (2,984 miles)
- Saturday: Nott’m Forest vs. Sunderland (0 miles)
Celtic
Hearts are shaping up to be the major challenge for Celtic to overcome in the Scottish Premiership this season but before then, the Hoops must travel 2,050 miles to Serbia to face Crvena Zvezda.
Much like the new Champions League format, the Europa League is now a league format in the group stages comprised of eight games.
Celtic have a favourable group with their biggest challenges being games against Feyenoord and AS Roma.
Once Celtic have completed their Europa League commitments, they will return to Scotland for the second leg of their trip before a home game against Scottish Premiership rivals Hibs.
- Wednesday: Crvena Zvezda vs. Celtic (2,050 miles)
- Saturday: Celtic vs. Hibs (0 miles)
Aston Villa
Another underperforming Premier League team, Aston Villa are the most fortunate on this list with zero miles to travel this week.
Unai Emery‘s side might have actually benefited from a trip on the continent to reinvigorate their poor form this season. With zero wins, three draws and a defeat in the opening five games of the league season, a home game against Bologna in the Europa League still offers a chance to get their first win of the season.
They then host Fulham at Villa Park on Sunday, which will be a tough test given the Cottagers are in decent form again this season.
- Thursday: Aston Villa vs. Bologna (0 miles)
- Sunday: Aston Villa vs. Fulham (0 miles)
Rangers
Rangers are in worse shape than Aston Villa, with zero wins, four draws and a defeat in their opening five games of the 2025-26 Scottish Premiership campaign.
They need a win against Genk to cut through the atmosphere of tension and negativity clouding things at Ibrox Stadium this season.
After finishing second behind Celtic last season, Rangers will be desperate for a good result, and they will be able to rely on their supporters in this regard.
Following their Thursday clash with the Belgian side, Rangers then travel just 70 miles round trip to face Livingston in the league at 3 pm on Sunday.
- Thursday: Rangers vs. Genk (0 miles)
- Sunday: Livingston vs. Rangers (70 miles)