With spring most definitely in the air, the different strands of the European football season are all drawing towards their conclusions. In the domestic leagues, the likes of Manchester City and Bayern Munich are doing what they do best, and they seem destined to meet up in the semi final of the Champions League, too.
But there’s another tournament that’s down to the last eight that never gets quite the same media coverage, yet often gives us the biggest surprises. Let’s take a look at who will be slugging it out for Europa League glory.
United favorites for the cup
Manchester United vs Granada is not something many would have predicted for a quarter final when the league got underway, but that’s why we love it. The European new boys will be delighted to have got this far. Of course they will go into their quarter final playing to win, but realistically, United is the runaway favorite in the Europa League betting odds and if they fell at this stage to this opposition, it would be one of the biggest shocks in Europa League history.
Ajax to edge Roma
Assuming things go to form, United will face either Ajax or Roma in the semis. This is undoubtedly the best and most evenly matched encounter of the quarter finals. Both teams blew away admittedly lowly opposition in the previous round, so all 22 men will take to the field brimming with confidence. The bookies narrowly favor Ajax to prevail, and to meet Manchester United in a semi final that would replicate the 2017 final.
Gunners in the crosshairs
On paper, you’d think there would only be one winner when Arsenal meet Slavia Prague. The Gunners are certainly favorites to prevail, but if ever there was a banana skin lurking in these quarter finals, this is it. The way the Czech team dispatched Leicester, who until that point had not even conceded a goal in the tournament shows what they are capable of. Yes, Arsenal should win this, but they must play better than they did against Olympiakos or there’s every chance of more giant-killing.
Villareal’s serene progress
Assuming they do so, the Gunners will be watching the fourth quarter final with interest to see whom they will meet in the last four. Dinamo Zagreb have already been the architects of one huge upset, recovering from a 2-0 deficit in the first leg to somehow knock Spurs out of the tournament – and all this without a manager after he was thrown into prison days before the game. Villareal’s progress, on the other hand, has been calm and trouble free. They are favorites to proceed, but the romantics will be backing Zagreb for all they are worth to keep the comic-book narrative running for a little longer.
It all points one way
There are just two Premier League clubs left, and they seem destined to meet in the final. Manchester United vs Arsenal would be a fitting way to end an incredible tournament. It would also mean the world to both combatants in what has otherwise been a season of under achievement.
