IT'S been close to five months since a ball was kicked in the competition, but this week finally marks the return of the Europa League. The tournament has been left fragmented somewhat by the coronavirus shutdown, with some teams having played their round of 16 first legs and others still to get started.
Those still to play two legs will gather in Germany for the mini tournament, with the others joining them for the quarter final. While the field is somewhat open, there are five frontrunners for Europa League glory this season. Here’s what we should expect from them over the final stages of the competition.
Bayer Leverkusen
There was intense disappointment at the BayArena over the way Bayer Leverkusen finished the Bundesliga season, with Peter Bosz’s side missing out on a top four place. The Europa League has subsequently taken on additional importance, with Leverkusen determined to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Whether or not Kai Havertz stays to complete the Europa League campaign will determine how strong a chance Leverkusen have of going all the way, with the 21-year-old almost certain to join Chelsea at some point this summer. The likes of Jonathan Tah, Moussa Diaby and Kevin Volland means they cannot be completely discounted even if Havertz departs soon.
Europa League outright odds: 7/1
Inter
For much of the 2019/20 season, it appeared that Inter would push Juventus all the way in the closest Scudetto race for many years. Things didn’t quite pan out this way, but Antonio Conte’s side are, for many, the favourites to win this season’s Europa League, with the Nerazzurri finishing their league season on an eight-game unbeaten run.
Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez give Inter significant fire power in attack and if the pair can find top form there will be few capable of stopping them. Conte, however, has cut a volatile character in recent weeks, with speculation that he could even leave the San Siro this summer due to concerns over transfers. Is it possible this off-field uncertainty could translate on to the pitch?
Europa League outright odds: 5/1
The stage is set and the lights are coming back on…
Man Utd, Wolves, Rangers, Inter, Leverkusen, Sevilla, Roma and more!
Next Wednesday, the Europa League returns! #Club2020 pic.twitter.com/Bq3l6rdWME
— Football on BT Sport #Club2020 (@btsportfootball) July 29, 2020
Manchester United
Before Manchester United’s late run to a top three finish in the Premier League, they might well have been considered the favourites to win this season’s Europa League. But Champions League qualification for next season already secured, though, it seems likely Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will use the competition to field a number of youngsters and fringe players.
Indeed, the likes of Teden Mengi, Tahith Chong, James Garner and Ethan Laird all expected to feature against LASK on Wednesday, but even a second string United side should be considered among the favourites to go all the way in the competition. This will be a chance for Solskjaer to showcase just how deep the ranks of young talent is at Old Trafford right now.
Europa League outright odds: 8/5
Sevilla
This is a tournament Sevilla have made their own over the last decade-and-a-half, winning the Europa League five times since 2006 and the Andalusians are expected to be among the frontrunners to get their hands on their favourite piece of silverware this season. Thursday’s round of 16 tie against Roma will be a real test of their credentials.
Sevilla come into this game on the back of a 17-match unbeaten run dating back to February. The return of Monchi to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan last summer and the appointment of Julen Lopetegui has given them a fresh lease of life, with the Andalusians dynamic and energetic in the way they play. Sevilla are, however, missing a true goalscorer following the exit of Wissam Ben Yedder to Monaco 12 months ago. Luuk de Jong hasn’t done the job as his replacement.
Europa League outright odds: 8/1
Wolves
Three defeats from their final six games saw Wolves finish their Premier League campaign with a whimper. Indeed, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side just didn’t have enough to qualify for the Champions League by making the top four, but the Europa League presents them with another chance to pull up a seat at European club football’s top table.
Wolves have more than once proved themselves in a knockout format. They have earned themselves a reputation as one-off match specialists, with Diogo Jota, Raul Jimenez, Adama Traore and Pedro Neto giving Wolves the sort of attacking edge to cut through any opposition defence. Nuno and his players could still achieve something special this season.
Europa League outright odds: 8/1
