Bookmakers firmly believe that there could be an England double in Europe this summer, with Premier League clubs favourites to win both competitions.
In the Champions League Manchester City are the 3/1 favourites, whilst Chelsea are 4/1 to triumph in the Europa League – both sides saw their odds cut after favourable draws in the knockout rounds.
City were handed the easiest looking draw of all, as they landed Schalke – a somewhat easier proposition then their fellow English clubs as Liverpool drew Bayern Munich, Manchester United got Paris Saint Germain and Tottenham face Borussia Dortmund.
In the Europa, both Chelsea and Arsenal were handed reasonable looking ties against Malmo and BATE Borisov.
With that in mind it seems there is a chance, for only the third time in history – that English clubs could complete the European double. Previously it was done in 1981 and 1984.
Now Bookmakers firmly believe that there is a real chance of an English double as it is just 7/1 for that to happen.
BetVictor’s Michael Triffitt, Head of ante post Football, commented: “Chelsea and Arsenal have both been well supported in the Europa League ever since our opening show put them in at 8/1 and 10/1 respectively and with both easily making the last thirty two and having kind draws the chances of an English winner in this event are shortening all the time.
“In the Champions League Manchester City have been handed a great opportunity to progress and with Liverpool slight favourites against Bayern and Spurs a toss of the coin with Dortmund, England could easily have three teams through with Manchester United still a possible fourth despite a tough draw with PSG. In view of this BetVictor make it a 7/1 shot that both winners of the European events this season come from England and punters will surely get a great run for their money at that quote.”