Can Spurs Go All the Way in the Europa League?

With 17 points, Spurs are doing better than most people imagined with the Premier League season already eight games old. However, under Mourinho, the Europa League seems to represent the North London club’s best chance of success. After performances against LASK, where Tottenham were comfortable 3-0 winners, and the fact that the side is top of Group J with six points after three fixtures, the excitement is running high. However, whether Spurs can go all the way is a different story compared to a relatively easy group with no real European giants. So, will they be in the final next year in Gdańsk?

The Betting

According to the totalizators, Tottenham have the best chance of all the Europa League teams to make it to the final and win. Currently, the London-based club stands at 7/1 to beat the likes of their North London rivals, Arsenal, to take home the silverware. The bookies also believe Mourinho’s men will outlast the likes of AC Milan, Leicester and Napoli, among others. And while the market could be shorter, there is a big gap to the rest of the field (barring Arsenal), who trail with odds of 11-1, 13-1 and 15-1. On recent form, it’s not hard to see why Spurs and Arsenal are comfortable favourites for the Europa League title and re-entry to Europe’s premier competition in 2021.

Squad Depth 

Of course, the bookmakers don’t know everything, which is why it’s essential to look at Spurs’ squad as a whole. Previously, particularly after Pochettino left and money was tight with the new stadium, the side looked bare. However, things have changed in the last six to twelve months, so much so that the manager himself is eulogising over the options at his disposal. Against LASK, for example, only Davinson Sanchez, Ben Davies and Sergio Reguilon kept their places after the previous match, and Tottenham still cruised to victory. As always, Kane and Son will make the biggest differences as they are match winners, yet to have Bale and Moura on the bench is a testament to the squad’s depth and a sign Spurs can go all the way if they rotate correctly.

The Run-in

Rotation will play a significant part in Tottenham’s fortunes since there are plenty of games between now and the end of the season. To win the Europa League alone, the side will need to win 18 games. And that’s without factoring in the Premier League. Standing second, level on points with Liverpool, there’s a feeling this is the club’s opportunity to take advantage of City and Liverpool’s injury woes. Still, to do that, the players are likely to compete in 60 to 70 games in all competitions, which is too much. Probably the best chance for the Spurs is to drop out of the title race to focus on European football. Otherwise, it’s tough to see the Portuguese’s men staying strong domestically and on the road as they try to achieve something the club has never done before – win the Premier League and Europa League.

There’s no doubt the boys can do it, but they’ll need a bit of luck along the way. Plus, they might have to focus on one competition, and depending on their domestic form, the Europa League might not take priority.