With this season's Premier League top four battle set to go down to the wire, the Europa League will be a welcome insurance policy for Arsenal and Chelsea.As it stands, both are missing out on next season's Champions League by virtue of league finishing position, but they are still in with a shot of a place at the top table in European competition.Should either win the Europa League, they will receive a golden ticket to join the big boys... so it's time to see who the biggest contenders for this season's trophy are. ChelseaDespite managerial uncertainty off the field and some poor results on it, Chelsea are currently the bookies' favourites to lift this season's Europa League. They flew through their group with five wins and a draw, and face Malmo in the last 32.In terms of European pedigree, the Blues won this competition in 2012-13 and the Champions League a year previous to that, so have experience of going all the way. If their drop-off in league form continues, the Europa League will become far more important than they wanted it to.Up next: MalmoChances of lifting trophy: 8/10 ArsenalUnai Emery's side started the Premier League season brilliantly, but Manchester United's resurgence under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has knocked them out of the top four for now. Gunners fans may hate Thursday nights, but it appears they could become reliant on them in they want to start playing European games on a Tuesday or Wednesday again.Much like Chelsea, they raced through their group with five wins and a draw, and should be well-placed to go far in the tournament with no domestic cup competition to sway their focus.Up next: BATE BorisovChances of lifting trophy: 8/10 Celtic Six points clear at the top of the Premiership table, Celtic will certainly be backing themselves to secure a place in next season's Champions League without the need for the Europa League. That said, a European trophy would be welcomed with open arms at Parkhead, and should they succeed it will save them the trouble of multiple qualification rounds in next season's competition.In reality, though, they are huge outsiders and you can still get 120/1 with some bookies for Brendan Rodgers' side to lift the trophy. They limped through their group, and face a very tough task in the round of 32.Up next: ValenciaChances of lifting trophy: 2/10 BenficaAfter recent back-to-back victories over huge rivals Sporting Lisbon and a mammoth 10-0 league win against Nacional, confidence is high around Benfica at the moment. As attention turns to the Europa League, they will be keen to continue their fine form in a daunting trip to Turkey to face Galatasaray on Thursday night.They are the favourites to progress from the tie, though when it comes to their main focus this season, they will certainly be more keen to topple Porto and reclaim the Portuguese league title they squandered last season.Up next: GalatasarayChances of lifting trophy: 4/10 Real BetisMuch like Arsenal and Chelsea this season, Real
Who are the 10 big contenders in this season's Europa League? - YouTube |
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