Premier League Contingent on Track to Make Their Mark in Europe

UEFA’s three club tournaments have continued to thrill fans across Europe delivering comebacks, upsets and pulsating encounters across the board.

The knockout round is anticipated to topple what the opening phase has delivered, but there are still a couple of tantalising fixtures promising a nail-biting climax to the first phase of the competition.

Read on as we bring you up to speed on the current happenings in the group stage, focusing our spotlight on the Premier League contingent.

Champions League

Manchester City have secured a slot in the Champions League last-16, boasting a perfect group stage record heading into their final fixture against Red Star Belgrade.

At 3.00 odds, the defending champions are the bookmakers’ favourites to retain the crown, and they will fancy their chances of claiming back-to-back success in the competition.

The same cannot be said for their next-door neighbours Manchester United, who are dancing on the brink of elimination following a massively underwhelming campaign.

The Red Devils are languishing at the bottom of Group A after winning just one of their five group stage games, leaving them needing divine intervention if they’re to advance to the next round.

To snatch a last-16 spot, United must beat Bayern Munich, who are undefeated in 39 group-stage games, while hoping FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray share the spoils in Denmark.

United are in an identical predicament as Newcastle United, who have every right to feel hard done by after a VAR controversy denied them maximum points in their previous 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain.

Alexander Isak’s 24th-minute goal looked like Newcastle’s match-winner, but VAR had nefarious plans brewing in the background, handing PSG a contentious penalty which Kylian Mbappe gobbled up.

Nothing but a win against AC Milan will do for the Magpies, but their qualification still hinges on the already-qualified Borussia Dortmund defeating PSG at Signal Iduna Park.

Arsenal are the only other Premier League club to have sealed a spot in the Champions League knockout stage, furthering their continental dream after a significant spell on the sidelines.

Even though their final fixture against PSV is inconsequential, it would be surprising to see the Gunners rest on their laurels, considering they have won their last three consecutive European games.

Europa League

Heading over to the Europa League, West Ham United have punched their ticket to the knockout phase as they continue their hunt for consecutive continental success. 

A late Thomas Soucek goal was enough for David Moyes’ side to earn a narrow 1-0 victory over Serbian outfit FK TSC Backa Topola, meaning their final match against SC Freiburg is essentially a battle for top spot.

After winning the Europa Conference League last term, the Hammers will back themselves to go back-to-back but will face considerable competition, especially from fellow Premier League club Liverpool.

Rated at 3.40 odds, the Reds are undisputed favourites to go all the way in Europe’s second-tier tournament and it would be surprising if they falter.

Jurgen Klopp’s side booked their ticket to the knockout phase after thrashing LASK 4-0 at Anfield, making light work of their Austrian counterparts.

Liverpool should power through to the latter stages, but if anyone can stop the formidable Reds in their tracks, it’s Brighton & Hove Albion despite their non-existent European experience.

The Europa League journey hasn’t been without a few hurdles for the Seagulls, but they’ve navigated the challenge reasonably well to plant a flag in the knockout stage.

Republic of Ireland international Evan Ferguson will be key to Brighton’s hopes, and fans in the Emerald Isle have been keeping a close eye on their progress.

With Ferguson leading the line, Brighton’s odds of 17.00 on the best Irish betting sites to win the Europa League will tempt savvy punters.

Europa Conference League

Aston Villa are the Premier League’s solitary representative in the Europe Conference League and they are strongly fancied to go a long way.

With European club tournament specialist Unai Emery leading Villa it is no surprise they are the bookies’ favourites to win the tournament.

Villa have shaken off a wobbly start to the campaign, winning their last four Conference League games in a row, and their 4.50 odds of success in the competition looks decent value.