With the race for the Premier League top four looking the most fiercely-contested in years, Manchester United will see the Europa League as an excellent opportunity to secure a place in next season’s Champions League.
Drawn against 30/1 (31.00) outsiders Anderlecht in the quarter-finals, Jose Mourinho’s men are clear 11/8 (2.38) favourites with Paddy Power to be back rubbing shoulders with Europe’s heavyweights after lifting this trophy in May.
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Boasting by far the most star-studded squad left in the tournament and led by a manager who has won two Champions League and one Europa League title in a highly successful career, it is certainly difficult to see anyone standing between Jose Mourinho’s team and glory this campaign.
After seeing off Roma in the last round, a talented and young Lyon side seem like the most likely candidates to deny the Red Devils their first European silverware in almost a decade, and can be backed at 16/5 (4.20) as they prepare to take on Besiktas, who in turn are 16/1 (17.00).
Goal
Having recorded impressive wins over Barcelona and Real Madrid in domestic competition this campaign, Celta Vigo at 7/1 (8.00) could be dark horses to maintain La Liga’s stranglehold over this tournament by ensuring the trophy returns to Spain for the sixth time in seven years.
Eduardo Berizzo’s men must first see off Genk in the next round, with the Belgian minnows available at 30/1 (31.00) to conclude what is already their best ever run in this competition by going all the way to glory.
In contrast, 15/2 (8.50) Schalke and 14/1 (15.00) Ajax have each lifted this trophy once in their far more illustrious histories, and will both be harbouring serious ambitions to add to that haul as they prepare to go head-to-head in what represents arguably the tie of the round.
