Europa League Final Chelsea v Benfica

Rafa Benitez hopes his Chelsea side can finally secure some silverware this season by winning the Europa League Final after losing three finals earlier in the campaign.

Europa League Final Chelsea v BenficaDavid Luiz scored a brilliant goal for Chelsea against Basel.

After defeats in the Club World Cup final, Community Shield and Super Cup this season, interim Blues boss Benitez has guided his side into the Europa League final where they will come up against Benfica in Amsterdam on 15th May.

It’ll be tough because Benfica are a very, very dangerous team and hard to play against.

Rafa Benitez

Chelsea did so by coming back from a goal behind to beat Swiss side FC Basel 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Thursday to seal a 5-2 aggregate victory.

Benfica, 5/4 to win the Europa League, were also given a scare before edging past Turkish side Fenerbahce in the other semi-final.

“We have one more opportunity to win a big title,” said Benitez. “We have lost three finals this season.

“I am really pleased for them and everyone here. I think we have had a good atmosphere in the side. The players are working hard.

“It’ll be tough because Benfica are a very, very dangerous team and hard to play against, but at least we are there. With the commitment and the quality, we’ll have a chance for sure.”

Chelsea, 4/6 to win the Europa League, still have eyes on a top-four finish in the Premier League and face champions Manchester United this weekend.

Chelsea, 1/12 to clinch a top-four finish, are 10/1 to beat Manchester United 2-1, with Fernando Torres available at 13/2 to open the scoring at Old Trafford.

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Europa Cup Chelsea odds-on for Amsterdam trip

Chelsea are 5/4 to win the Europa League and 2/7 to reach the final after the draw on Friday.

The appointment of Rafa Benitez may not have been to everyone’s liking but Chelsea are now 4/1 to do the Europa League/FA Cup double this season.

2012/13 Europa League Outright

Chelsea                      5/4
Benfica                       7/4
Fenerbahce                11/2
Basel                          8/1

To Qualify

Chelsea                      2/7
Basel                          5/2
Benfica                       1/2
Fenerbahce                6/4

Total 2012/13 Chelsea Major Trophies

None                6/4
One                  Evens
Two                  4/1

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Liverpool to face Euro minnows

Liverpool to face Euro minnowsBrendan Rodgers’ side should have little trouble progressing in the Europa League.

Liverpool will face either FK Renova from FYR Macedonia or FC Gomel of Belarus in the third qualifying round of this season’s Europa League.

The two legs are scheduled to be played on 2nd and 9th August.

Liverpool qualified for the Europa League by beating Cardiff City in the final of the Carling Cup in February. They are 9/1 to win a competition that will be known as the Capital One Cup in the 2012-13 campaign and are 16/1 to emerge victorious in the Europa League.

Gomel, managed by Oleg Kubarev, finished third in the Belarusian Premier League last term and are the favourites to progress from the second qualifying round after winning the first leg against FK Renova 2-0.

Renova finished fourth in last season’s Macedonian First League.

St Johnstone have a great incentive to win their second qualifying round tie against Eskisehirspor as they could be playing French side Marseille in the next round. However, they have it all to do after losing 2-0 in the first leg in Turkey on Thursday.

Other highlights see Inter Milan drawn to play either Hajduk Split or Latvia’s Skonto FC while Dundee United will play Dynamo Moscow.

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Man Utd to reach a final next season?

Man Utd to reach a final next season?

Man Utd won’t be in a major final for the first time in ten years and bet365 are 4/6 it’s normal service resumed next season with the firm also betting on how many trophies the two Manchester clubs win between them in 2012/13.

2012/13 Manchester Specials

Man Utd to be in a 2012/13 major final

Yes          4/6                    No             11/10

(FA Cup, Carling Cup & Champions League/Europa League)

How many major trophies will Man Utd/City win during 2012/13?

Trophies Price
None 5/2
One 7/4
Two 11/4
Three+ 4/1

(PL, FAC, CC, CL/EL)

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Balotelli back for Porto test

Balotelli back for Porto test

Mario Balotelli is poised for a ‘tune-up’ when Manchester City travel to take on holders FC Porto in the Europa League on Thursday.

The Italian striker returns from a four-match suspension and has been told by boss Roberto Mancini that he will come straight into the reckoning to provide him with more attacking options.

City are 9/2 to win the Europa League this season while FC Porto can be backed at 25/1.

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City want the 21-year-old, who has trained constantly during his absence, to get some much-needed match-time in his legs, before the business of trying to win the Premier League title resumes against Blackburn Rovers the following week.

City are now 4/7 to win the Premier League title while nearest challengers Manchester United are available at 6/4 to finish top.

The Blues have spent the last couple of days studying the Portuguese giants and, in particular, Brazilian striker Hulk, who has been on their radar as a possible transfer target.

They are also ready to rest the returning Toure brothers, Kolo and Yaya, following their heartbreak of losing in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations to Zambia on Sunday, and will assess their fitness levels later today.

Mancini admits getting back key personnel could prove a deciding factor on whether they win any silverware this season.

The Etihad chief says: “We will now have all the players back with us in the squad and that will be very important for us.”

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Arsenal 2/1 to wait until at least 2016 for a trophy

Arsenal 2/1 to wait until at least 2016 for a trophy

Arsenal show no sign of ending their trophy drought and bet365 are expecting it to go on for a while yet.

bet365 spokesman Steve Freeth commented: “The returning Thierry Henry may have papered over the cracks against Leeds, but Arsenal were clear second best against Swansea and we’re just 2/1 about the barren run continuing until at least 2016.”

bet365 are also betting on Arsenal’s finishing position this season with 5th being their 7/4 favourite.

Next Arsenal major trophy

2011/12                        11/2
2012/13                          5/2
2013/14                          4/1
2014/15                          6/1
None Of The Above         2/1

(Premier League, FA Cup, Carling Cup, Champions League, Europa League)

2011/12 Premier League - Arsenal Finishing Position

1st – 3rd                 15/2
4th                            4/1
5th                            7/4
6th                            2/1
7th or lower            13/2

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Spurs to find Europa scoring boots? – 7/2 for silverware

Spurs to find Europa scoring boots? - 7/2 for silverware

It’s 6/5 with bet365 that Harry Redknapp’s Spurs side are the top British scorers in the Europa League during midweek.

bet365 are also going 7/2 about Harry’s team landing some silverware during the 2011/12 season.

Spurs to win a major trophy during 2011/12

Yes                                      7/2
No                                       1/6

Europa League - Matchday 5 specials (30/11 – 01/12)

Highest scoring British team

Spurs                                   6/5
Stoke                                 10/3
Celtic                                    5/1
Fulham                                 5/1
Birmingham                        10/1

Win only - only these count

Total British Goals Scored

Over 6.5                              Evs
Under 6.5                          8/11

Total British Goals Conceded

Over 6.5                            8/11
Under 6.5                           Evs

Who will score most (aggregate)?

British sides                     11/8
Tie                                     7/1
Their opponents                5/6

(British sides Spurs, Stoke, Celtic, Fulham & Bham)

Total Goals in Europa League

Over 59.5            1/6           Under 59.5            7/2
Over 67.5            5/6           Under 67.5            5/6
Over 74.5            10/3         Under 74.5            1/5

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Watch FC Thun v Stoke live at bet365

Tony Pulis’ Stoke City continue their European adventure with Thursday’s trip to face FC Thun of Switzerland and you can watch the match exclusively live at bet365.

The Europa League qualifier (kick-off ) will not be shown on TV or anywhere else on the internet.

You can enjoy all the action live on your PC with bet365, simply log in to your account and select the Live Streaming link from the Soccer coupon.

Stoke City are at 11/8 to get the away win in 90 minutes, with FC Thun 2/1 while the draw is currently at 11/5.

There are a host of pre-match markets available now and we will have over 50 In-Play markets on offer as the match takes place.

bet365 will be the only place you can watch the Potters live this week so make sure you don’t miss out on this Europa League Live Streaming exclusive.

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