Europa League Predictions and Betting Tips

Following the Europa League draw we have considered the main challengers for the Europa League trophy and who could win the tournament. Will it be Liverpool, Spurs or Inter Milan? Or could Athletico Madrid defend their Europa League crown?

There a few things one needs to take into consideration when betting anti-post The Europa League. Firstly can the team be bothered to actually win it? Motivation is a key factor in this competition as you will see many teams rest players for the following weekends league matches. If the manager can’t be bothered putting his best team out then you are simply not going to go far in this competition (see Spurs last year).

Secondly you have to remember that the parachuted third places teams from the Champions League groups enter the competition in the knockout stages, so you could have a selection doing well, only to end up facing a major team in round 32 (see Porto vs. City and Ajax vs. United last year). Also, can they cope playing Thursdays and Sundays on a regular basis? Many teams have struggled to cope with this schedule and this can bee seen with Manchester United last season as Fergie said that they had struggled to cope with this format.

With that in mind let’s have a look and see what we can find. Last years victors Atlético Madrid head the betting along with Liverpool, Inter and Tottenham, all at or around 14/1. I wouldn’t want to get involved in backing Spurs or Liverpool as their main priority will be the league and trying to get the coveted fourth Champions League spot. As a previous winner with Porto, AVB knows what it takes to manage a side both domestically and in Europe, so they could go far if they played at full strength, but even if they did I can’t see them winning it.

I wrote off the chances of Atlético Madrid last year but with the introduction of Diego Simeone as manager they have become a more consistent outfit and they also have a certain Mr Falcao who likes nothing better than scoring goals with his boots. The odds of 14/1 is fair but should a team come to the Vicente Calderón with a wheelbarrow full of cash for Falcao, then his departure will surely derail any chance they have of retaining their title. Furthermore you get the sense that, given Atlético’s turbulent history, they are only one week away from imploding. Inter are a hard one to call because they have a squad to do well at home and abroad but, like Spurs and Liverpool, I think their main focus will be on getting a Champions League spot in Serie A so I shall pass on them.

So that’s four teams who not to back so who shall we back? Last year I picked out Sporting Lisbon (66/1 Bet Victor) as e/w shout and the unlucky semi finalists are again a betting selection this year at the tasty odds. They have brought in some quality this season with signing of Croatian international Danijel Pranjić, Dutch defender Khalid Boulahrouz, Swizz midfielder Gelson Fernandes and a trio of talented youngsters Rojo, Viola and Labyad.  Most importantly they have managed to keep hold of boot shooting van Wolfswinkel who has been linked with a host of top European sides and Liverpool. At 66/1 they have to backed e/w as a final spot lands us a nice 33/1 place.

The second team on the list is the easily to pronounce Anzhi Makhachkala (20/1 with You Win). They have only previously played in European competition once and that was a UEFA cup round one knockout to Rangers in 2001. Eleven years on and they will be looking to make a statement of intent. In their ranks are a few house hold names, Zhirkov, Chris Samba and by the time you have read this sentence he has probably made $100,000 Samuel Eto’o. Managed by Guus Hiddink, they have a man in charge that has been there and done that. He will have everything at his disposal thanks to their Billionaire owner Suleyman Kerimov and no team will fancy a trip to Russia to face them. Granted they don’t play at their own Dynamo Stadium due to security issues involving the city of Makhachkala and the autonomous Republic of Dagestan (nope, me neither) but no one will fancy a trip to Russia to take them on wherever they may play. They have were 20/1 before the draw and have surprisingly been backed into 14/1 in some places given that they have been drawn against Liverpool and Udinese. What is in our favour is I can’t see Liverpool or Udinese fielding full strength teams. At best price of 20/1 on e/w terms we will have a dabble.

Europa League Ante-Post Tips

Sporting Lisbon @ 66/1 Bet Victor (new customers get a free £25 by clicking here)

Anzhi Makhachkala @ 20/1 You Win (£25 free bet for new customers here)