The dark horses for the Premier League European spots

At roughly the midway point of the Premier League season, the top half of the league is extremely tight, especially in terms of the European qualification spots. Many teams that perhaps may not have dreamt of securing European football for next season are well in contention to cause a shock and feature in European competition, at the expense of other top teams.

Surprise European challengers

Newcastle United have made a remarkable rise to the league’s UEFA Champions League spots following their recent takeover.

For those scouring the outright odds and thinking of placing a bet on Premier League predictions, Newcastle is now priced at 4/6 as the odds-on favourite to finish in the top four and secure their passage to Europe’s most prestigious club competition next season. Fulham and Brentford are also in the hunt to secure a place in Europe’s second or third-tier competition.

However, their rise has gone under the radar due to fellow London club Arsenal’s title charge. For those wanting to bet on Premier League winner odds, Arsenal is now the 4/6 favourite to pause Manchester City’s dominance in the league and win their first title since 2004.

The Europa League race

Many teams are in competition to secure spots in the UEFA Europa League next season. In terms of the top four battles, Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle and Manchester United are likely to claim the qualification places in Europe’s top-tier competition.

However, many clubs are in the mix to achieve Europa League or Europa Conference League football. Most surprisingly, Brighton and Hove Albion, Brentford and Fulham have had excellent seasons so far and could play in Europe next season.

Brighton and Brentford are bidding to become European debutants and Fulham is hoping to return to the competition, despite having a history since losing in the Europa League final to Atletico Madrid over a decade ago.

The Seagulls look the most likely to claim a European spot in place of one of the bigger clubs with Roberto de Zerbi’s side quickly firing their way up the table after numerous victories against sides such as Liverpool.

Roberto de Zerbi’s most impressive work since his arrival has been transforming Brighton into a counter-pressing side that can compete with the strongest teams in the league. The Italian coach has a genuine chance of taking Brighton to the European stage for the first time in their history, and he would surely secure legendary status on the South coast as a result.

Fulham and Brentford are also teams that have benefited from smart recruitment in the transfer market. The Cottagers’ positive return to the English top flight has largely been due to the strong performances of summer signings Joao Palhinha and Bernd Leno, amongst others.

The former has been instrumental in dictating the play and allowing Fulham to compete with the top sides in the league. Leno has been one of the best-performing goalkeepers, which has meant a team that hoped to avoid relegation will be awarded the chance to achieve so much more. Brentford’s development has been a project staged over many years on a small budget, and they are finally receiving the benefits of many long-term signings coming good. 

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Overall, Liverpool and Chelsea cannot be ignored in regard to the race for European spots. The quality in their respective squads means that a strong run of form to quickly rise up the table would not be a huge surprise.

Brighton has the greatest chance of upsetting members of the traditional ‘big six’ and Brentford also have a genuine opportunity to also become European debutants. Fulham has a history in Europe, but they would surely welcome the opportunity to further their continental story. The likes of Palhinha, Leno and Aleksandar Mitrovic are certainly the calibre of players that can compete on the European level.

 

 

 

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