Like the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League is finally down to the last 16 teams after the Playoff fixture. Despite teams like Barcelona or Ajax being eliminated, this year’s Europa League promises tough and exciting matchups. The draw for the Round of 16 took place this past week. Let’s rank the teams by who will most likely lift the trophy at the end of the season.
Very Unlikely
16. Union SG
15. Ferencváros
Verdict: These teams do not possess the squad depth and value to match with other competitors. But playing in the European second most prominent stage will interest their fans and players.
Unlikely
14. Bayer 04 Leverkusen
13. SC Freiburg
12. Shakhtar Donetsk
11. Fenerbahçe
Verdict: Bayer 04 Leverkusen is struggling in the mid-table of the Bundesliga, which explains why they are placed so low. Meanwhile, the other three teams look good in the domestic league but have never been formidable opponents in the European campaigns in recent years, compared to the remaining teams.
Dark Horses
10. Real Betis
9. Sevilla
8. Sporting
7. Feyenoord
6. Real Sociedad
Verdict: Real Betis currently stands in La Liga’s top five this season, but facing Manchester United in the Round of 16 bumps them down to ten. On the other hand, Sevilla looks terrible in the domestic league right now, but they have won this tournament multiple times, keeping them at nine. Sporting‘s story is similar to Real Betis, having to face Arsenal. Feyenoord and Real Sociedad have had great form this season, giving them high positions in this list.
5. Union Berlin
Bundesliga’s most interesting find this season and their biggest hope in retaining the Europa League title to Germany. But having to distribute their focus on the domestic league as an inexperienced team is why they are not higher on the list.
4. Juventus
They have nothing to lose this season. Being deducted 15 points in SERIE A, their only hope of a title comes in the Europa League. They have a good enough squad to compete for the cup.
3. AS Roma
The reigning Conference League champion is the team with the third-best chance. They have little to hope for in the SERIE A title race; why not focus on the Europa League? Besides, they have one of the best cup-winning coaches in Jose Mourinho. Never counts out The Special One.
2. Arsenal
They are arguably the best team in all of Europe this season. With an ambitious squad, a Europa League title is a must to satisfy their hunger. But their main focus is still on the Premier League campaign. The rigid schedules of the English top flight can cause Mikel Arteta and company to slip. But they are still highly regarded in the competition.
1. Manchester United
After the caliber of performances that we witnessed Manchester United put up against Barcelona in the Playoff games, we cannot help but to view them as the one to beat for the Europa League title. They are in flying form under Erik Ten Hag and won their first title this season a couple of days ago. Why not add to that with a European-level trophy?
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