The final 16 teams of the Europa League were revealed on Thursday when the second leg of the round of 32 came to an end. The final results of those second legs featured a plethora of surprises and it will be interesting to see how these teams ultimately do in the tournament. With that in mind there are a few teams that are clear-cut contenders to lift the trophy in May. Here are the top five favorites to win the Europa League this year.
5. Valencia
The Spanish side did not get off to a great start in the Spanish League and is struggling to finish among the top seven. However, Valencia has improved its play and has shown itself to be a lethal side. No one is going to forget that victory over Barcelona at the Camp Nou anytime soon and it seems that the win has actually fueled the team. Valencia has not lost in the five games since beating Barca and destroyed Real Betis 5-0 in the game right after. The team has pitched four clean sheets in that time and has only conceded one goal. This team is highly motivated and dangerous.
4. Fiorentina
The Italian side took down Esbjerg 4-2 over two legs and looks poised for a deep run. In order for that to happen, the team will have to defeat Juventus, a team that Fiorentina beat 4-2 at home a few months ago. Of course, Juventus is a much better team in recent months and will be a far more formidable opponent for Fiorentina. Fiorentina is still a deep side with offensive potential.
3. Benfica
The Portuguese side made easy work of PAOK and has solid experience in this tournament. The team made a deep run to the final last year despite falling short in the Champions League. Of course, a matchup with Tottenham will provide a great deal of difficulty, but English sides have continually choked in 2013-14.
2. Napoli
Rafa Benitez has his team playing very good soccer. After a 0-0 draw in England, the Italian side won 3-1 and continued its march into the round of 16. Napoli was once considered a team capable of making noise in the Champions League; so why can't it make a deep run in the Europa League, a tournament with far less quality? Porto is certainly not a team to overlook; the Portuguese contingent was also a Champions League side. However, this team has struggled—it got past Eintracht Frankfurt thanks to away goals—and is the easy underdog in this matchup.
1. Juventus
The old lady is undoubtedly the top team in the tournament. A team with the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Gianluigi Buffon, Arturo Vidal and Paul Pogba among others is one that most teams in the Champions League would fear. The team trashed Turkish side Trabzonspor 4-0 over two legs in the UCL and looks poised to make a deep run in this tournament, especially with the final slated to take place at the team's home stadium in Turin. Expect los Bianconeri to be one of the two sides battling out for the title.
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