Atletico off bottom of Group B but still face challenge to qualify

Atletico Madrid’s victory at home to Rosenborg last night provided the current holders of the Europa League with their first win, but they find themselves in a Group B predicament.

Atletico are 14/1 to win the Europa League but are level on four points with Greek side Aris as Bayer Leverkusen currently lead, and with a tricky tie in Rosenborg in the next round of ties, Atletico could find themselves bottom of the group.

The betting market suggests that Atletico should still recover, Leverkusen are 5/6 to top Group B with Atletico second favourites at 11/8.

But with Aris’ home form unquestionable, the Greek side may be worth a punt at 9/1 to top a group that sees bottom separated from top by just two points – Rosenborg are bottom and 16/1 to top the group.

With the holders struggling to qualify, it’s better to look elsewhere in Spain for a potential winner and Sevilla are also 14/1 to win the Europa League.

With two wins from three games, Sevilla sit second in Group J on six points, a point behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain and the Southern Spanish side are not certainties to qualify either, a tie with Dortmund in the last of the group games could decide which side goes through.

So that leaves Villarreal and Getafe, and with Getafe struggling in Group H on three points, Villareal at 20/1 to win the Europa League are the value of the Spanish sides.

Villarreal currently top Group D on six points, having beaten second placed PAOK on Thursday night and are 4/9 to finish top of Group D.

Of all the Spanish sides, Villarreal look certain to progress and at their 20/1 price, they offer better value than Atletico or Sevilla.

Man city are 9/2 favourites to win the Europa League. See the full UEFA Europa League football betting odds market here.