Racing Post

Cup king Mourinho can lead Wolves to more Euro success

Racing & Football Outlook football writers pick their Europa League winner

JOE CASEY

They may not quite be the force of old but Xavi has got Barcelona playing some good stuff and they are an appealing prospect to win the Europa League at 9-2.

The Catalans are top of La Liga and look a solid proposition to get the better of Manchester United over two legs given the Red Devils’ occasional lapses this season.

Erik ten Hag’s side are still a work in progress and Barca can take advantage en route to winning a first European title since the 2014-15 Champions League.

At a much bigger price, Bayer Leverkusen have improved under Xabi Alonso and have flown up the Bundesliga as a result. A clash with Monaco is eminently winnable and they could outrun their 33-1 odds.

LIAM FLIN

With Arsenal likely to prioritise trying to win the Premier League title and Manchester United locking horns with Barcelona in the tournament’s playoff round in a tie which could go either way, the market-leaders are worth avoiding in the Europa League betting.

Instead, Real Sociedad look the value at 16-1. Seven of the last 11 winners of the Europa League have come from Spain and La Real have looked excellent in La Liga this term, establishing a top-four spot since returning from the World Cup break.

They are already through to the last 16 after winning five of their six matches in Group E and have welcomed back star creative outlet Mikel Oyarzabal after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Striker Alexander Sorloth has plugged the gap left by Alexander Isak, who departed last summer, and they look ready to make a statement on the continental stage.

GARETH FREEMAN

Barcelona and Manchester United look good options at 9-2 and 9-1 ahead of their meeting in the next round, but this year’s Europa League is a strong competition which means there are some quality sides available at big prices.

At what looks a huge 33-1, Bayer Leverkusen could follow in the footsteps of Bundesliga counterparts Eintracht Frankfurt, who beat Rangers in last season’s final.

Bayer have started to click under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, who replaced Gerardo Seoane in October following a poor start to the campaign.

Leverkusen are essentially free to focus on Europe given their mid-table position in the Bundesliga, so it represents their best chance of securing Champions League football for next term.

Bayer have a talented squad and the incentive to give the Europa League a real shot, so they look intriguing outsiders.

HENRY HARDWICKE

As the betting suggests, Arsenal and Barcelona are the most likely Europa League winners but, in terms of a value bet, Roma look a decent price.

The Italians have lost just three of their last 16 matches, finished the group stage strongly with back-to-back wins over HJK Helsinki and Ludogorets, and they should come through their playoff tie against Salzburg.

The Wolves have some talented performers, including Tammy Abraham, Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini, and they have a Champions League, Europa League and Conference Leaguewinning coach at the helm in Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho guided Roma to Conference League success last season and at 20-1 they look good value to move on to Europa glory.

BOBBIE JACKSON

With Barcelona and Manchester United meeting in the playoff round, one of the big contenders is set to soon exit the competition, while Arsenal are likely to be distracted by their pursuit of the Premier League title, leaving the Europa League race wide open.

Roma present great value at 20-1 to go all the way as they look to follow up last season’s success in the inaugural Europa Conference League.

Cup-specialist Jose Mourinho, who won this competition with Manchester United in 2016-17, is tough to look beyond and Roma appear to have resumed after the World Cup fully focused, enjoying a five-game unbeaten run with four of those outings ending in victory.

They have to negotiate a two-legged playoff-round tie but should have enough to overcome Red Bull Salzburg.

JACK OGALBE

Arsenal’s Premier League title charge means the Europa League is unlikely to be their priority, while the tie between Manchester United and Barcelona will eliminate one side but potentially burn the other one out.

Instead, there could be value in looking at the Italian teams, despite a Serie A side not winning this tournament since 1998-99.

Roma claimed the inaugural Europa Conference League title last season and having triumphed with both Porto and United, Jose Mourinho is a dab hand at this competition. However, the team to watch could be 12-1 Juventus, whose 15-point domestic penalty means they can reassess their goals.

The Bianconeri can afford to immerse themselves in this competition and Max Allegri’s men have a point to prove considering their offperennially field issues.

Allegri bemoaned his side peaking too early during his first spell in charge and may now look to tailor their campaign to ensure they are ready to go in time for May’s final in

Budapest.

AARON ROGAN

After claiming the inaugural Europa Conference League crown last year, Jose Mourinho is out to lead Roma to another European trophy. His side have to navigate the first knockout round next month, but they come up against a Salzburg side who have exited their last two Europa League campaigns in February.

Meanwhile, Roma returned from the World Cup break with four wins from their first five matches, claiming a 2-2 draw with Milan in the other. While Mourinho conceded the title was beyond them ahead of Sunday’s clash with Napoli, his side are firmly in race for a top-four spot.

Winning the Europa League could be their route into the Champions League next term and the Giallorossi look decent outsiders at 20-1.

Mourinho is re-establishing himself in the Italian capital and has a squad of players with recent experience of winning a European trophy, so they could make a deep run in this competition.

IAN WILKERSON

It is turning into a good season for Manchester United with a top-four berth well within their grasp and one foot in the EFL Cup final, but don’t rule the Red Devils out of a European triumph as well.

Erik ten Hag has found the right blend at Old Trafford and has got a tune out of Marcus Rashford, so they cannot be ruled out against anyone.

Many will be put off by the fact they have been paired with Barcelona in the playoff round, but their chances are well reflected in the prices and it is a duel they look capable of winning.

Sure, Barca are strong but the sides could prove evenly matched and with little to get excited about beneath the top three in the betting, Ten Hag’s side look poised to make a strong bid.*

GOLF BETTING

en-ie

2023-01-31T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-01-31T08:00:00.0000000Z

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