5 favourites to win the 2017-18 Europa League

Striker Andre Silva is also in fine form. The 21-year-old netted a hat-trick against Wien to go alongside his brace versus Shkendija in the qualifiers. A defence that includes six-time Serie A title winner Leonardo Bonucci also stacks up as one of the best in the competition.

Villarreal

This is Villarreal’s fourth consecutive season in the Europa League. After underachieving last year, they’ll be hoping to go one better than their semi-final defeat to Liverpool in 2016.

The Coral News Team certainly think they have the personnel to reach this year’s final in Lyon. Goals come in the form of Nicola Sansone and Enes Unal. While defensive solidity is provided by Portuguese-Italian pairing Ruben Semedo and Daniele Bonera. Villarreal are 16/1 to win the tournament.

Athletic Bilbao     

Fellow La Liga outfit Athletico Bilbao also come in at 16/1 for tournament victory. The Basque club are an organised side who play neat football, despite a disappointing start to their league campaign.

They have the pedigree as well. Los Leones have reached the Europa League quarter-finals and final since 2010. Plus, San Mames is a notoriously difficult place to go. Athletic have won their last six at home in European competition and have only lost eight out of 94 home fixtures against foreign sides.

Lazio

Lazio have started the season in fantastic form. Le Aquile have won five of their opening seven games. That run includes a narrow 3-2 victory in a tricky tie away at Vitesse in their first group game.

Impressively, the Rome-based club have hit 19 goals already this season. With that kind of firepower, their odds of 18/1 could start to seem somewhat overpriced.

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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing