Second, only to the Champions League, the UEFA Europa League is one of the most prestigious and exciting football competitions in Europe. With the Group Stage still unfolding in the 2022-23 season, we can begin to draw some conclusions about which teams may pose a threat when it comes to claiming the title next year. Here are our top four favourites to win the UEFA Europa League in 2022-23.
Real Sociedad
Right now, Real Sociedad seems like the team to beat in the UEFA Europa League.
They ended up top of Group E in the UEFA Europa League, with five wins from six. Their total of 15 points is the second highest in the group stage, with only Real Betis ahead with 16 points, and tied with Arsenal and Manchester United. Their only UEFA Europa League loss this season has come at the hands of Manchester United a month ago, suffering a 1-0 defeat.
While Real Sociedad are looking good, they have tended to collapse in past seasons. Right now, they sit as 7th equal in the betting odds.
Manchester United
Fellow Group E members Manchester United also have a great shot at winning the UEFA Europa League this season.
The English club ended up just behind Real Sociedad in Group E on 15 points, putting them in the top few sides this season. Manchester United’s only loss in the UEFA Europa League so far this season has been against Real Sociedad in their opening match, 1-0. They have since avenged that loss in the return fixture and are looking good heading into the knockout stages of this tournament, where they will be one of the top contenders to the title.
As mentioned on Betting.com, Manchester United faced Villarreal in the 2020-21 campaign final. The match went into a penalty shootout, where it took 11 rounds of penalties for the yellow submarine to bring home the title. This year Manchester will look to redeem itself and is currently the third favourite at betting.com to take home the title to the Red Devils of Manchester.
Barcelona
Spanish club Barcelona are laden with players currently representing their countries at the FIFA World Cup 2022. When they return, they will be eager to get their teeth into winning the UEFA Europa League.
Barcelona are second favourites to win the title and will be one of the teams entering the tournament after failing to move forward in the Champions League. The club had a disappointing European campaign so far, with only two wins and a draw from their six matches, they will be looking to put that behind them with a promising transfer window coming up
Arsenal
English club Arsenal ended atop Group A in the UEFA Europa League, with 15 points to their name.
To date, the side has won five of their six matches, with just one loss 2-0 against PSV Eindhoven. While Arsenal have had several middling Premier League seasons, they will be confident in their ability to come out and win the UEFA Europa League this year as their Premier League fortunes have also taken a turn. Right now, Arsenal sits in the No.1 spot in the English Premier League, and will take confidence from that as they look to lift their first European trophy in the UEFA Europa League this year.
Bookies have Arsenal as the narrow favourite to win the UEFA Europa League in 2022-23.