The ultimate 4 groups are formally locked in for the UEFA Europa League with a handful of shock contenders within the fray as a brand new oddsmakers’ favourite takes heart stage.

Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten season continued on Thursday with a 3-1 combination win over West Ham, changing into the main candidate to win this season’s competitors within the course of. Roma, in the meantime, gained by the identical combination rating in opposition to AC Milan and fellow Italian aspect Atalanta accomplished their upset over Liverpool. Marseille had been the final to affix the group after ousting Benfica on penalty kicks.

It is a group of semifinalists that may have been onerous to foretell earlier on this season, however every has made their case to be within the ultimate 4 and convey their very own intriguing storylines as they make a deep run within the Europa League. It units up for some fascinating potential finals, some extra eye-popping than others.

Here is a rating of the potential Europa League finales as all 4 groups start to eye a ticket to Dublin.

4. Atalanta vs. Roma

This could be the matchup that has the least star energy hooked up to it, but it surely has its argument as an all-Italian ultimate. The pair tied 1-1 of their first assembly in Serie A this season and would play one another for a second time within the league simply 10 days earlier than the Europa League ultimate, which might be the primary time Roma face them since Daniele De Rossi took over. The legendary participant, who will keep on as coach, has reinvigorated Roma since approaching, which makes them an interesting crew to observe because the competitors wraps up. As for Atalanta, their regular rise over the previous couple of years has been enjoyable to observe and a visit to the ultimate gives the perk of a brand new crew discovering a spot amongst Europe’s elite.

3. Marseille vs. Roma

This could be a enjoyable showcase between two storied groups who might have had insignificant home campaigns however turned issues on in European motion. Either side are additionally staffed with some stars who haven’t been amongst the continent’s elites for a while however don’t lack for high quality. Look no additional than Marseille’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Roma’s Romelu Lukaku, who lead the match’s scoring charts with 10 and 7 objectives, respectively.

2. Marseille vs. Bayer Leverkusen

Leverkusen are the darlings of this season throughout Europe, so a ultimate with them within the combine is the best-case situation no matter opponent. The membership doesn’t have a significant historical past of successful titles however are within the midst of a season to recollect and will nonetheless win the treble and end the season unbeaten. With the Bundesliga already wrapped up, the large query dealing with them at this level is that if they’ll go all the best way. Many will suspect they’ll, however an look within the ultimate will hold the feel-good story going.

1. Atalanta vs. Bayer Leverkusen

This could be a ultimate between two groups at totally different phases of an upward trajectory however are unquestionably climbing up the ladder within the uber-competitive panorama of European soccer. It might be onerous to consider both of those sides might be in a significant European ultimate a number of years in the past however after sturdy seasons, it could now not be an enormous shock. It might not precisely be a fluke for them to be right here, both — each groups have the potential to be constant performers for years to return, even when a run to the Europa League ultimate is unlikely once more. This matchup could be a celebration of the truth that different groups can, in truth, break into the highest ranks of the game, which is a good commercial for the Europa League.