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With the 2020/21 Europa League group stage done and dusted, it makes sense to look ahead to the Round of 32, even if the competition doesn’t resume until February 2021.

The Europa League Round of 32 secdong legs take center stage as Premier League sides Man United, Arsenal and Wolves are in action. Follow live, here. FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Europa League - Group L - Manchester United v AZ Alkmaar - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - December 12, 2019 AZ Alkmaar coach Arne Slot REUTERS/Jon Super.

The top two teams from each group will be joined by the third-place sides from the Champions League in the knockout stages. UCL dropouts such as Manchester United and Ajax join the likes of Spurs, Arsenal, and Napoli.

After assessing the bookmakers’ updated Europa League odds, I look back at the group stage before discussing the favorites’ prospects in the knockout stages.

There are eight new faces on the bookies’ latest Europa League odds list, along with the 24 successful teams from the group stage. These prices are courtesy of 10bet.

As you can see, English sides dominate the bookmakers’ group of favorites. Tottenham (6.00), Man Utd (6.50), and Arsenal (7.75) are the three frontrunners, with Leicester (13.00) not too far behind.

Ajax (13.00) are expected to make an impact after dropping down from the Champions League, while Italian duo AC Milan (11.00) and Napoli (13.00) are also in the mix.

Leverkusen (15.00), Roma (17.00), and Villarreal (17.00) complete the top ten.

The Europa League group stage produced plenty of talking points. I discuss some of the key topics below.

It is no coincidence that four of the bookies’ seven favorites are English. Arsenal, Leicester, and Spurs all topped their groups, with Man Utd finishing behind PSG and RB Leipzig in UCL Group H.

Despite their domestic struggles, the Gunners completely dominated Group B. Mikel Arteta’s men won all of their group matches, scoring a whopping 20 goals in the process.

The Foxes lost once, yet they still managed to finish seven points clear of third-place Zorya Luhansk in Group C. Tottenham also suffered one defeat but ended up advancing comfortably from Group J.

With Man Utd joining in the Round of 32, we could easily see an EPL side win the Europa League this season.

Arsenal advance to Europa League knockout stages with 100% record after victory over Dundalk as Joe Willock and Folarin Baolgun star in Ireland https://t.co/VjS9sHUAtNpic.twitter.com/qkFD2sIhKq

— SPORTS CIRCUS INT. (@SPORTSCIRCUSINT) December 10, 2020

Along with Arsenal, five other teams qualified for the knockout stages without dropping a single point.

Rangers and Benfica both went unbeaten in Group E. In fact, Steven Gerrard’s men are yet to taste defeat this term, picking up 24 wins and four draws from their 28 matches in all competitions.

Over in Group I, Villarreal avoided defeat against Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Sivasspor, and Qarabag, while Dinamo Zagreb secured four wins and two draws to finish four points clear in Group K.

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Hoffenheim won five of their six games in Group L, with their sole draw coming against Red Star Belgrade in Serbia on Matchday 5.

Two Bundesliga sides – Leverkusen and Hoffenheim – have qualified for the Round of 32, while two Portuguese teams – Benfica and Braga – are also through. But Spain and Italy both have three representatives in the next round.

Granada scraped through from Group E, joining compatriots Villarreal and Sociedad. As for the Italians, Roma, Napoli, and Milan all finished at the summit of their respective groups.

England may be the best-represented country in the Round of 32, but there are plenty of other nations that could produce this season’s Europa League winner.

The top end of the bookies’ odds list is pretty tight, but let’s take a closer look at a few of the frontrunners.

The self-proclaimed “Special One” is certainly building something special in North London. Not only has Mourinho guided Tottenham to the Round of 32, he has also put the club in the EPL title conversation.

I guess the question is – can Spurs compete in the Europa League while trying to mount a title charge in the Premier League?

Well, Tottenham’s squad is now deep enough to compete on more than one front. Harry Kane and Son Heung-min are the deadliest attacking duo in Europe right now, while Gareth Bale is a world-class back-up option.

With a healthy competition for places in every position, Spurs are more than capable of going all the way this season.

Not so long ago, it looked as though Man Utd would qualify for the Champions League knockout stages. The Red Devils need just a single point from their final two group games, yet they ended up suffering two defeats.

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is now tasked with picking his players up and preparing them for Thursday night matches in the new year. But does a club of United’s stature really want to be in the Europa League?

Under Mourinho, Man Utd won the trophy back in 2016/17. Solskjaer’s squad is definitely gifted enough to emulate that triumph, but I can see the current manager focusing more on the EPL in the coming months.

BREAKING: Manchester United are out of the #UCL after losing 3-2 to RB Leipzig in their final group game

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 8, 2020

It is no secret that Arsenal has been terrible in the Premier League this season. Indeed, the Gunners are languishing at the bottom of the table having picked up just 13 points from a possible 33.

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But Arteta’s men have been almost unrecognizable in the Europe League.

Of course, Molde, Rapid Vienna, and Dundalk didn’t exactly offer much of a challenge in Group B. However, the manner with which Arsenal brushed aside their opponents cannot be ignored.

Like Solskjaer, I’m sure Arteta will be concerned about enhancing his sides’ EPL position. But if the Gunners give their all on the European stage, they could go far.

Milan’s recent revival has been a joy to watch. Stefano Pioli’s men already find themselves miles clear at the top of the Serie A standings, yet they will be eager to impress in the Europa League, too.

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The Rossoneri only lost one of their group matches, finishing two-points ahead of Lille in Group H. With a nice blend of youth and experience, it feels like Milan has the right balance to compete both domestically and continentally.

Veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has 11 goals in ten appearances in 2020/21, while the form of youngsters Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sandro Tonali, and Brahim Diaz could see the fallen Italian giant rise in Europe again this term.

It is definitely worth keeping an eye on the teams that have dropped down from the Champions League. Sides like Club Brugge, Dynamo Kiev, and Krasnodar aren’t likely to cause the frontrunners too many problems, but Ajax, Olympiacos, and Salzburg are dangerous.

There are a few other clubs that I believe deserve a mention. Led by Jamie Vardy, Leicester is capable of troubling the best teams in Europe. Leverkusen has also made a hugely impressive start to 2020/21, as has Sociedad.

If you’re looking for a potentially lucrative longshot bet, look no further than Rangers. Gerrard’s men are enjoying an outstanding unbeaten streak at the moment; it doesn’t look like they fear anyone.

I really wouldn’t be surprised if an English team wins the Europa League this season. There are four strong EPL sides in the Round of 32, and they are all good enough to go the distance.

However, the clubs from Italy and Spain will be eager to show what they’ve got. Milan and Napoli are among the favorites, with Villarreal and Sociedad also in the mix.

Don’t forget, the Europa League resumes in February. If you can’t wait until then to wager on soccer, head over to our soccer picks section.