The Europa League will continue in February with the round of 32. We take a look at the 16 fixtures that have been drawn and the odds that are currently available.
Here’s the full draw:
The official result of the #UELdraw
Who are you backing to reach the last 16? pic.twitter.com/HvCczJ1OzE
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) December 12, 2016
Man United, big favourites
Paul Pogba will face his older brother Florentin as Manchester United have been drawn against St Etienne in the Europa League round of 32. The Red Devils are heavy favourites to qualify from the tie with odds as low as 1/8. Odds of 4/1 on Mourinho leading United to Europa League glory look fairly short considering there is still potentially a total of five games to play.
It’s Pogba vs. Pogba in the Europa League last-32 pic.twitter.com/13Dn2q5PWU
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) December 12, 2016
Belgian opponents for Spurs
After being eliminated from the Champions League, Spurs are second-favourites at 8/1 to win the Europa League but they will have to beat former Belgian champions, Gent, in order to progress. Something that the bookies think will be done fairly easily as they priced up Tottenham at a seriously short 1/7 to qualify.
Others to consider
Other than the English clubs occupying the top two spots in the odds markets, there is plenty of value to be found within some strong looking sides.
Roma can be backed to win the competition at 12/1 but they face a tough test as they have been drawn against Villarreal who are available at a huge 25/1 if you fancy them to beat the Italians and go all the way.
Russian giants, Zenit seem to have been given a fairly nice draw as they take on Anderlecht. The Russians still have a lot of strength in depth within their squad and can be backed at 14/1 to win the Europa League this season.
You will find Schalke next in the markets at odds of around 14/1 to lift the trophy which seem fair considering they have a stern test in this round versus PAOK from Greece.
Shakhtar Donetsk have been a regular feature in this competition for a while now and the Ukrainians are a tough nut to crack, especially at home though a difficult match versus Celta Vigo awaits them in the round of 32. Shakhtar are currently 14/1 to win the Europa League whilst Vigo are as big as 40/1 following this draw.
Athletic Bilbao are another team who have done well in the competition in recent years and odds of 16/1 for them to win it seem quite alluring considering they have Aritz Aduriz in their ranks who is the competition’s top scorer over the past two seasons.
Another fixture involving two big sides sees Borussia Monchengladbach of Germany take on Fiorentina of Italy. If you fancy picking the winner from this intriguing tie then Fiorentina can be backed at 22/1 to win the Europa League with ‘Gladbach as big as 28/1.
