Inter or Napoli well-placed to end Italy’s Europa League drought
Published:Serie A dominated the UEFA Cup landscape during the 90s, but then dropped off the map in the 21st Century, failing to even produce a finalist since Parma’s 1998/99 success.
However, that could be about to change with two Italian giants near the top of the betting for the 2014 Europa League.
Both Inter and Napoli are afforded odds of 16/1 behind early favourites Tottenham, at 14s, to relieve Sevilla of their trophy and both have very good claims at the outset.
Meanwhile Fiorentina – fourth in Serie A last season – shouldn’t be discounted either at 20/1.
Napoli – 1/3 to win Group I
Having lost their Champions League place to Athletic Bilbao, Rafa Benitez will be fully focused on going deep into a competition he tasted success with just two seasons ago at Chelsea.
With the former European Cup winner at Liverpool in charge, Napoli are in very capable hands and should push on further than the round-of-16 they achieved after falling out of the Champions League group stage by the finest of margins last season.
Rafa’s squad is busting at the seams with attacking talent such as Marek Hamsik, Gonzalo Higuain, Lorenzo Insigne and former Swansea star Michu.
Inter – 8/11 to win Group F
Meanwhile Inter’s summer recruitment drive has ignited a rocket-boosted start for the Nerazzurri, which has seen them score 16 unanswered goals in their first four competitive games of the season.
With their Indonesian owner Erick Thohir clearly hungry to restore the three-time UEFA Cup winners to becoming a force once again on the continent, Inter will be a team on a mission.
Nemanja Vidic and Gary Medel’s signings have added steel to the spine of the side which is also infused with much attacking flair, including the much-coveted Colombian midfielder, Freddy Guarin.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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