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But interestingly, last season there were also many candidates for strong teams or favorite teams in the European League who failed to go further. For example Arsenal, Man United and Barcelona. All of them failed to go any further. And it was Sevilla who managed to win the European League title last season. So I think something similar could happen. Indeed, currently Liverpool and Leverkusen are the favorites. but I think another surprise could happen this season. And it could be that the favored team stops before the final.
This season's UEL competition is very fortunate that there is no Sevilla in this competition because if Sevilla can qualify for the UEL when they fail in the champions league, Sevilla will definitely be the favorite club even though their performance seems not to be good, but Sevilla can always succeed in getting the UEL title like last season.
If Sevilla can join this competition, Liverpool and Leverkusen will definitely be under a bit of pressure because Sevilla can always get through to the final round and with the experience of dominance from Sevilla, they can always provide great enthusiasm to continue winning trophies at the UEL.
When we think like you said last season Sevilla was not the favorite team in the UEL but could surprise the whole world if Sevilla managed to lift the UEL trophy, this season it could happen to a club that is not the favorite such as AS Roma or AC Milan which could be a surprise in final round later.
It is true, this season Europa League contestants should be grateful because Sevilla did not appear because they failed to finish in third place in Group B of the Champions League. If Sevilla is present, they have a big chance of winning the Europa League trophy like last season. Liverpool and Leverkusen are currently the most favorite teams, and many even hope that these two teams can face each other in the final. Without ignoring the opportunities of other contestants such as Milan and Roma, which in my opinion also have the same chance of winning the trophy, the Europa League every season very often surprises us.
Teams that take part in the Europa League often show different performances, like Sevilla last season, they were inconsistent in La Liga but appeared impressive in the Europa League. There is a chance that such a surprise will happen again, even though Liverpool and Leverkusen are the favorites, it is possible that they will be eliminated first. Milan have to face Roma, one of them has the potential to face the two favorite teams in the semi finals later.