It's all to play for in Europe's second-tier competition with some of the biggest names on the continent very much hoping to reach the 'league phase' top 8 and avoid the dreaded knockout playoff - explore Gamblizard to find out who is most likely to make it.
The new format of the Europa League, just like in the Champions League, has been very well received by most fans and pundits. It has provided excitement and surprise in every matchweek and the final one next Thursday (Jan 30) proves to be the most thrilling of all.
However, for some of the clubs and particularly their owners, this new format may not be so pleasing. It is very hard to predict who will win the UEL, and if there's one thing owners don't like it's unpredictability.
Nonetheless, the bookies have done their best to come up with the four clubs they give the best chance of going all the way in this season's UEFA Europa League - here they are:
Tottenham Hotspur (5/1 favourites)
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is hanging by a thread. He was a breath of fresh air last season, bringing high-octane, balls-to-the-wall attacking football to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but things have really fallen off a cliff this year.
It goes to show when you have no solidity at the back, all it takes is a slight decrease in your attacking potency and you are in deep trouble. They are very unlikely to go down in the Premier League, but the mere fact that that has to be pointed out illustrates just how poorly they are doing.
Things have been a bit better in the Europa League. A 3-2 win away at Hoffenheim in midweek has left the London club sixth in the table, with their future very much in their own hands. On the other hand, it's so tight below them that if they drop points Elfsborg, admittedly unlikely, they could drop out of the top eight and into the playoff phase.
The Spurs board are likely keeping Postecoglou around with this competition as his only chance at redemption, their top priority this season. Bookies have clearly determined that the quality of their squad will prove to be the deciding factor come the end of the campaign, because it's certainly not their current form which has them at the top of this list.
Manchester United (9/2)
it's a similar story at Old Trafford. Ruben Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag mid-season with the goal of turning things around, but as the beleaguered United squad attempt to get to grips with his complicated and intense style, results have gotten even worse.
They remain as one of the favourites to win the Europa League purely based on the names in their squad, a testament to the financial imbalance between the Premier League and the rest of Europe's elite.
Like Spurs, United aren't going to be relegated but they also probably won't finish in the top half, which for such a storied club borders on disgraceful. a Europa League triumph, like it did under Jose Mourinho, could bring a certain feel-good factor back among fans, and the Red Devils will surely be prioritising this competition.
Athletic Bilbao (6/1)
Athletic Club, on the other hand, have been building something special for a few seasons now, and it has continued into this campaign.
Ernesto Valverde, twice La Liga winner with Barcelona, has done a wonderful job at the Basque club since returning for a third spell in 2022. Harnessing the talent of Nico and Iñaki Williams, as well as countless others in his squad, Valverde led the team to a fifth-place finish last season and Copa Del Rey triumph.
This season they are looking to improve on that by breaking into the top four, as they sit well clear of nearest rivals Villarreal going into this weekend. In the Europa League, they are third, having earned 16 points from a possible 21. They may not have the most star-studded squad in the competition, but they are in cracking form this season and well worth a punt.
Lazio (8/1)
Serie A giants Lazio are top of the Europa League going into the final gameweek and certain of a coveted spot in the top 8. Coach Marco Baroni has done a great job of keeping consistency in Europe, despite results dropping off somewhat domestically.
After being part of the title-chasing pack throughout much of the start of this campaign, they have since dropped off and are now too far behind leaders Napoli to realistically claw their way back into the Scudetto race.
This should leave Lazio with one true goal in mind, to lift European gold. As currently the best team in the competition, and likely to have a favourable seeded draw in the last 16, they may well go all the way and win the Europa League this term.
