Europa League Standings before the coming round of games!

Beginning in Group A we have PAOK FC as the surprise leaders with 8 points in a tight top 3 situation. Rubin Kazan are actually in 2nd place in the group due to their better goal difference. Tottenham Hotspur, who many tipped to win the group comfortably, are still in a good position in 3rd, tied with Rubin at 7 points but losing on goal difference. Ireland's representatives Shamrock Rovers occupy 4th which many probably predicted having collected exactly 0 points from 4 games. On to Group B now where Belgian side Standard de Liege are level with German side Hannover 96, in fact leading them in goal difference! FC Kobenhavn are in 3rd and while theoretically they could still make 1st or 2nd, the chances of them doing so are less than impressive. Vorskla Poltava are down and out though, leaving Ukraine without representation. In Group C PSV Eindhoven have met expectations by remaining at the top of the group with an undefeated record though they have been kept to a draw once, against Hapoel Tel-Aviv. Legia Warszawa are firmly in 2nd place with 9 points from 4 games while 3rd and 4th place sides Rapid Bucuresti and Hapoel Tel-Aviv have essentially no chance of advancing with 3 and 1 point respectively. Over in Group D things aren't quite as resolved with Sporting of Portugal at the top of the table with 9 points while FC Vasuli and S.S. Lazio each have 5 points from their first 4 matches. Either side could really end up in 2nd while they both may challenge Sporting for 1st place given the right circumstances. FC Zurich are at the bottom of the table with 2 points from their 4 games. Onwards to Group E! Stoke City actually lead here with 10 points after 3 wins and a draw in their first 4 games. Besiktas are uncomfortably in 2nd with 2 wins and 2 losses leaving them just a point above FC Dynamo Kyiv who have 5 points. Maccabi Tel-Aviv are in 4th with just one point. Technically, given the perfect results, they could qualify however the chances of that? Slim to none. Group F isn't quite in the same precarious situation: Athletic Club of Spain lead here with 10 points while PSG of France sit in 2nd with 7 points. I would conjecture that these will be the two qualifying sides despite the fact that FC Salzburg are still in the running. Salzburg sit in 3rd position with 4 points so theoretically they could pass PSG given the right results. Yet again the chances are low but you never know! Slovan Bratislava are in 4th with just a point from 4 games and no way to really make up the hole they've dug for themselves. Group G is controlled by Metalist Kharkiv of Ukraine who lead with 10 points. AZ Alkmaar are in 2nd with 6 points which isn't too bad - they are undefeated too! FK Austria Wien are in 3rd with 5 points so they are still in the running. The only team truly out of the race are Malmo FF from Sweden who have really not shown up. As for Group H, Club Brugge, Birmingham City, and SC Braga are all level at the top with 7 points. NK Maribor are thus in 4th after a draw and 3 losses from their first 4 games. I is jointly held by Club Atletico de Madrid and Udinese Calcio who each have 7 points. Celtic of Scotland are in 3rd with 5 points meaning they can still make it into the next round however they really need to step up their game. Stade Rennais are at bottom with just 2 points from their first 4 games. Group J is also close with FC Schalke 04 currently in command though they are just 2 points above Maccabi Hafia who have 6 points. Steaua Bucuresti are then in 3rd with 5 points while AEK Larnaca of Cyprus are in 4th with 2. In this way, anyone can still qualify, though if Schalke were to be denied I would be quite surprised. Just two groups left! In K FC Twente are in 1st with 10 points meaning they have qualified while Fulham are in 2nd with 7 points and in strong position to qualify as well. Odense BK (Danish) and Wisla Krakow (Polish) are joint bottom dwellers with 3 points each. The Danes do have a better scoring record though. Last but not least, in Group L, RSC Anderlecht are the only club to be perfect in Europa League competition and thus sit at the top of the table! Lokomotiv Moskva are also pretty secure in 2nd with 9 points while Sturm Graz and AEK Athens are for all intents and purposes done. Sturm Graz have 3 points while Athens has nothing to their name. Enjoy the games coming up on the 30th!