Despite the tumultuous times that Chelsea FC currently find themselves in, the Blues remain the favorites to win the UEFA Europa League. Both the Blues and their London arch-rivals, Arsenal, impressed last night in Europa League round of 32 competition and thus cruised through to the round of 16.
Both of the London giants have been dominant during their UEL campaign, and that elite form has earned them very favorable draws for the round of 16. With Manchester United in very elite form, it looks right now like the Red Devils will grab fourth place in the table and with it the final UCL qualification slot from the Premier League.
That means both Chelsea and Arsenal are probably better off in prioritizing the Europa League title route back into Europe’s major competition. Arsenal have a very favorable draw in Rennes, who currently 11th in Ligue 1, while Chelsea’s task isn’t too difficult either- Ukrainian champions Dynamo Kiev.
UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Draws
Chelsea vs. Dynamo Kiev
Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Inter Milan
Dinamo Zagreb vs. Benfica
Napoli vs. Salzburg
Valencia vs. Krasnodar
Sevilla vs. Slavia Prague
Arsenal vs. Rennes
Zenit vs. Villarreal
Updated Odds via Bet365 to win UEL tournament following round of 16 draw: Chelsea 7/2, Napoli 9/2, Arsenal 9/2, Sevilla 11/2, Inter 10/1, Valencia 9/1, Benfica 16/1, Salzburg 25/1
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.