Most of the Premier League’s seven representatives in UEFA’s club tournaments are on course to reach the knockout stage in their respective competitions. Here is the latest situation:
Champions League
Liverpool
Liverpool continued their dominance in the Champions League with a hard-fought win over Girona which helped them keep a firm grip on top spot in the standings. They have scored 13 goals and conceded just once on their way to recording six victories and look primed to enjoy a deep run in the competition this season. The Reds are unsurprisingly the bookmakers’ favourites to win the title, and odds of 5.00 to lift the trophy are a tempting proposition. It will be intriguing to see how Liverpool cope with the pressure towards the business end of the season, but they can be pleased with their progress.
Arsenal
Arsenal are third in the league phase standings after a well-deserved 3-0 win over Monaco. Bukayo Saka (2) and Kai Havertz got the goals. The Gunners can ensure automatic qualification for the last-16 with a home victory over Dinamo Zagreb before a trip to Girona on the final matchday. Arsenal have never lifted a European trophy in 137 years, and it would be quite the story if this current group of players ended the drought. Bookmakers seemingly rate their chances, listing them as 7.00 shots to break their European duck.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa are level on points with Arsenal, albeit with an inferior goal difference, having enjoyed a remarkable start to their European campaign. After defeating Bayern Munich earlier in the competition, they produced another fantastic performance against RB Leipzig in their most recent outing. Villa edged the game in the closing minutes through Ross Barkley. His shot took a wicked deflection, beating Peter Gulacsi as Villa ran out 3-2 winners. Despite their bright start, odds of 41.00 to lift the trophy suggests a place in the last-16 will be as good as things get for Villa this season.
Manchester City
Manchester City are the only English club in the Champions League not in an automatic qualification spot with two league phase games remaining. City are in 22nd position and in danger of missing out on the knockout stage after winning just two of their six games. They must secure positive results against Paris Saint-Germain and Club Brugge to progress to the knockout play-off round. Although they may need to play two extra games in the competition, the bookmakers rate them as 8.00 shots to be crowned European champions this season.
Europa League
Tottenham Hotspur
Swedish star Dejan Kulusevski scored in the 75th minute to help Tottenham Hotspur take a point from their recent Europa League clash with Rangers. Australian manager Ange Postecoglou was unhappy with his team’s performance and sports bettors in his homeland would have been equally incensed. Tottenham were heavily supported by Aussie punters on the best Australian betting sites, but the 1-1 draw ruined their wagers on the game. They are priced at 5.50 to win the Europa League, but bettors are unlikely to be tempted by those odds.
Manchester United
Rasmus Hojlund came off the bench to inspire Manchester United to an important 2-1 victory over Viktoria Plzen. United are in seventh place in the Europa League standings but still have work to do to reach the knockout stage. Upcoming games against Rangers and Steaua Bucharest have the potential to be tricky and the Red Devils can take nothing for granted. Ruben Amorim’s side are priced at 6.00 to win the Europa League, which may attract interest from their loyal fans.
Europa Conference League
Chelsea
Chelsea have been imperious in the Europa League, claiming five consecutive victories despite playing a second-string team. They look a cut above the rest of the teams in the competition and are worthy 1.66 favourites to lift the trophy. Manager Enzo Maresca will have the luxury of fielding his top stars in the knockout stage, which will improve their chances of emerging victorious. The Blues have improved under Maresca and they look a good bet to win the Europa Conference League.
