The elite European football season is drawing to a close, both domestically and in continental competition. When it comes to the latter, most of the attention is focused squarely on the UEFA Champions League, but its secondary Europa League counterpart also has a lot to offer. And with the winner set to receive a seat at the most elite dining table in European football next season, there’s certainly plenty to play for.
The first legs of the round of 16 have just wrapped up, and there were plenty of talking points that emerged. But how have those results affected the betting odds for the outright winner in Bilbao come May? Let’s take a look.
Introduction
In the colossal ecosystem of sports betting, outright markets play a different role than the more popular bets that focus on games or in-play markets. Instead of focusing on specific variables such as injuries, suspensions, and current form, outright markets must look at a broader picture. They’re an entirely different market with many factors that don’t apply to accumulators, single bets, and other outrights.
Manchester United
Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United are the surprising betting favorites, a choice that is certainly a shocker considering just how poor the Red Devils have been this season. A few years ago, they were dispatching Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. Now, if they wish to return to the pinnacle of European football, they will need to win the Europa League.
Fortunately for them, the sports betting sites fancy their chances. Websites offering sports betting in Canada currently make them the 5/1 frontrunner, and after a positive result against Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie, they are well-positioned to progress. Many expected the Premier League outfit to struggle on their trip to San Sebastian, but Joshua Zirkzee’s goal was enough to secure a draw.
For United, it is a case of Europa League or bust this season. The Red Devils have no hope of securing European football next season through the league as they currently sit way down in 14th place, ten points away from the top eight. They have also already been eliminated from both cup competitions. This is the predicament for manager Amorim: Win the competition, or face a £100m dip in funds next season. Luckily, the bookies think his side is up to the task.
Athletic Bilbao
If Manchester United are a surprise at the top of the betting charts, Athletic Bilbao most definitely are not. The Basque outfit have been on fire in La Liga this season, and they are currently flying high in fourth place. If they don’t qualify for next season’s Champions League by finishing in the top four domestically, then they will have a second bite at the cherry with the UEL.
But it is the continental competition they are currently featured in which will have them highly motivated. This season’s Europa League final will be hosted in the Lions’ stunning San Mames Stadium, and making it all the way to the showpiece fixture is their top priority. In winger Nico Williams, they have a talent on their hands who can win games on his own. And with him rumored to be on the way to Barcelona in the summer, he will be aiming to leave his boyhood club with a bang, perhaps by leading them to European glory.
Tottenham Hotspur
Another English team that has struggled in the Premier League this season is Ange Postocoglu’s Spurs. They, too, are languishing in the lower half of the table after having a campaign ripped apart by injuries to key players. However, the likes of Christian Romero and Micky van de Ven seem to be returning to fitness at the perfect time and they may well be exactly what’s required to get Spurs over the line.
If they are to progress, however, they will have to overturn a 1-0 deficit in their Round of 16 tie. The Londoners headed to the Netherlands as a huge favorite to secure an important win against AZ Alkmaar, but instead, Lucas Bergvall’s own goal consigned them to yet another defeat. If they can complete the turnaround in the return fixture, then that could be the victory that propels them to a deep tournament run that could culminate in lifting the trophy in Bilbao.
Lazio
Italian outfit Lazio is a team that never seems to make an impression on the continental stage, unlike some of their compatriots. Juventus and Inter Milan have both reached Champions League finals in the last decade. Meanwhile, arch-rivals Roma reached back-to-back continental finals under Jose Mourinho, winning the inaugural Conference League final before losing the Europa League final to specialists Sevilla a year later. The Biancocelesti have had no such luck.
The furthest Lazio have made it in the European competition in the same time frame was a trip to the Europa League quarterfinals back in 2018. That, though, ended in a disastrous fashion. In the 55th minute of the second leg of their clash with Red Bull Salzburg, the Italian outfit led 5-2 on aggregate and looked to be cruising through to the semifinals. Then, the Austrians scored four unanswered goals, including three in as many minutes, to seal progression and crush Lazio’s hearts.
This season, Marco Baroni’s side are contenders once more. A positive result in their first leg against Plzen has left them on the brink of another quarterfinals berth, and there they will be aiming to banish the memories of seven years ago.
Leave A Comment