The UEFA Europa League (UEL) is just like the UEFA Champions League (UCL) in most aspects – both are annual soccer club competitions that pit some of the best teams in Europe against each other in the bid for glory and bragging rights. Both feature prominently at sports betting sites and command significant betting capital due to their massive global following. The fanfare and pomp that precedes both UEL and UCL action is quite unparalleled.
At its most fundamental level, UEL is ranked lower than UCL – hence, it’s considered to be UEFA’s second-tier soccer club competition. UCL has always been the ultimate destination, the Holy Grail that’s chased by every single European club in a season because playing in UCL brings prestige, global recognition and remuneration to players and clubs alike. Stars are born, managers are made and clubs are put on the map over the course of UCL action. And that’s not including the thrills and excitement the city and fans get out of by being a part of one of the world’s most watched soccer club competitions.
Perhaps, in its early days UEL competition might have been looked down upon as the poor man’s competition – the event for the second-bests and also rans in any given national league. It might have felt at times like a consolation prize for the domestic underachievers that came so close but were still so far away from the pinnacle of European competition.
But that was then. Those days are passé.
UEL is positively thriving nowadays. If anything, it’s just as desirable of a destination as UCL, and some might argue that the action it delivers from a fan’s perspective as well a viewer’s perspective is more compelling. At the crux of it, UEL brings to a club much of the same that UCL brings to the table, but in smaller measure. It’s carrot on the stick though is that it can act as a qualifier for UCL, and therein lies its greatest incentive to those competing within: Win the competition and qualify for UCL the next season.
In this column, we look at UEFA Europa League closely and serve up some insight that could prove useful in the betting.
While UEFA Champions League is Europe’s top-tier soccer club competition, UEFA Europa League is Europe’s second-tier soccer club competition, where teams qualify based on their performance at the domestic level in their country’s national league and cup competitions. That UEL offers the carrot of a place in the increasingly more lucrative UCL alongside one of the most iconic and eye-catchingly impressive trophies, the UEL means business in no uncertain terms.
Soccer Betting Odds
Soccer betting odds are all around for UEL action, meaning there’s no shortage of betting options on tap. Soccer fans can find practically everything that they’re looking for in the way of betting – if not more – at most top-rated sportsbooks. From moneyline odds, totals, Asian handicaps and prop odds, the options are endless.
Additionally, free betting expert tips are also widely available and easily accessible online with many reputable sports betting outlets and they provide soccer aficionados with great insight into matches at all stages of UEL action.
Europa League Futures
One of the first places to start betting on Europa League action is the soccer futures market. Here bettors will find early action even before the event gets underway officially and that’s often the best time to place some early cheeky bets on the tournament winner. Odds on the tournament winner, especially those involving the favorites, are typically at their most lucrative in the early days, offering the best bang for your buck.
Past UEFA Europa League Winners
- 2020-2021 – Villarreal
- 2019-2020 – Sevilla
- 2018-2019 – Chelsea
- 2017-2018 – Atletico Madrid
- 2016-2017 – Manchester United
- ·2015-2016 – Sevilla
- 2014-2015 – Sevilla
- 2013-2014 – Sevilla
- 2012-2013 – Chelsea
- 2011-2012 – Atletico Madrid
- 2010-2011 – Porto
- 2009-2010 – Atletico Madrid
Top Online Sportsbooks
Before betting on UEL or any other sport, finding a reputable and reliable sportsbook is the first step that soccer bettors should embark on. And especially those that are new to betting. Doing your due diligence by looking up sportsbook reviews is key. You should be looking at online sports betting sites that are amongst many things safe and secure and that offer the latest betting software, excellent customer service and fast payouts.
