UEFA Europa League 2019-20: 3 early favourites ahead of the draw for the Round of 32

3. Ajax

Ajax can call upon the attacking talents of Hakim Ziyech

It came as a massive shock to see Ajax – one of last season’s losing semi-finalists – eliminated from the Champions League in the group stage, and much has been made of their issues following the sale of key men Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt in the summer. Despite this, the Dutch side remain tremendously dangerous and will be amongst the favourites to lift the Europa League in May.

Erik Ten Hag’s side have lost just one match domestically this season, and at times in the Champions League, they showed flashes of the brilliance that saw them beat Juventus and Real Madrid in 2018-19, as they destroyed Lille and Valencia in their opening two games and came very close to beating Chelsea in that crazy 4-4 draw in November.

With tremendous attacking talent like Hakim Ziyech – who scored 2 goals and made 4 assists in his 6 Champions League matches – Quincy Promes and Dusan Tadic amongst their numbers, as well as other hugely talented players like Nicolas Tagliafico and Donny van de Beek, Ten Hag can certainly call on one of the better squads in the Europa League.

Essentially, Ajax have the talent, they have the experience following last year’s European adventure, and due to the weaker nature of their domestic league, they should remain fresher than the sides from England, Germany and Italy. Therefore, there’s every chance they could win the Europa League this season.