It might feel like a long, long way in the future, especially in a summer where we are witnessing a vintage World Cup, but the bookmakers have released their odds for the Europa League and it makes for some interesting reading.
As always, there is the caveat that eight teams will be parachuted in from the Champions League group stages just like last year’s winners, Atlético Madrid. Also, it should be pointed out that this year’s final will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan. So, with all due respect to the former Soviet Republic, it might not just be so easy, or desirable, for Gunners fans to take a ‘jolly’ to the Final should Arsenal get there.
Arsenal and Chelsea backed by bookies
Anyway, the bookies seem to have taking stock of the fact that we are now managed by a Europa League specialist in Unai Emery, with Bet Victor putting both London clubs in at 6/1 to win the lot in Baku. There is some deviation with the odds, with Sky Bet going 10/1 on the Gunners. Odds can be possibly enhanced even further with top betting sites offers to use on football.
Apart from Chelsea and Arsenal, there is not a huge number of glamour clubs just yet but, as mentioned, who knows which sides could come in from the Champions League in February. There is not huge consensus from the bookmakers either, but most agree that Sevilla (16/1), Bayer Leverkusen (16/1) and Lazio (20/1) are likely to cause Emery and Antonio Conte most trouble.
Hunting around, you can get some good value if willing to take a punt. Villareal, for example, are offered at a massive 50/1 from 188Bet. Istanbul Buyuksehir, who took the traditional Turkish giants down to the wire last season and who feature Emmanuel Adebayor and Gael Clichy in their line-up, are an intriguing prospect at 66/1
Burnley embark on adventure
Depending on whether you admire or loathe Sean Dyche’s tactics, you could perhaps see the romance in Burnley going deep into the competition in their first European adventure for half a century. The realists will probably think that Dyche’s squad will be stretched a bit too thin, but he has proved us all wrong – a lot – over the past couple of years.
For Arsenal, however, it is going to be interesting to see how we view the competition at different points throughout the season. Right now, there is a comfortable belief that Emery can guide the team through the group stages without impacting too much on domestic form. But, what if, like last season it becomes Arsenal’s only route back to the Champions League? What if it is the only possible means of securing silverware?
As mentioned, these are perhaps questions to be addressed in January not July. But, just a few months ago, many Arsenal fans became enchanted with the idea of winning the Europa League as the team’s performances grew. Maybe, just maybe, Emery’s competition know-how will take us one step further than a semi-final spot next year.
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