Free betting tips: Outright preview for the 2018/19 Europa League
Arsenal and Chelsea may find themselves as favourites for Europa League glory this season, but Tom Carnduff is looking elsewhere.
Recommended Europa League bets
3pts e.w. RB Leipzig to win the Europa League at 28/1
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
The Europa League looks strong this season, with Chelsea and Arsenal dominating favouritism in the market as strong Premier League presences.
There's also potential for the likes of Napoli, Tottenham and Benfica to join following the conclusion of the Champions League group stages, which makes for some intriguing match-ups.
Looking at the market, RB Leipzig look great value at 28/1 to lift the trophy in Azerbaijan.
The German club have had a remarkable rise to the top-end of the Bundesliga following their acquisition by Red Bull, and have a number of star players throughout their ranks.
German international Timo Werner, Yussuf Poulsen and Jean-Kevin Augustin are the three strikers of choice, but they have real depth with Matheus Cunha and Bruma also contributing goals.
The midfield boasts Sweden star Emil Forsberg, alongside Kevin Kampl and Diego Demme, with all able to adapt to various systems and positions.
Ralf Ragnick leads the side this season following Ralph Hasenhüttl's departure. However, they have a new man lined-up from 2019 with Julian Nagelsmann joining from Hoffenheim.
That managerial move highlights the strength of this Leipzig side. Nagelsmann has been key to revolutionising 1899 from relegation candidates to playing in the Champions League.
Yet, with an offer from Leipzig, he's decided to leave that project and take over at a club who will want to challenge Bayern's dominance of the German top flight.
They find themselves in the open Group B, alongside Celtic, Rosenborg and fellow Red Bull club Salzburg.
Die Roten Bullen should qualify for the next round in first place, handing them a more favourable tie and aiding their chances of progression to the latter stages.
You can also factor in their performance in this competition last time around. Despite battling at the top end of the Bundesliga table, they still managed to see off Serie A giants Napoli before beating Zenit Saint Petersburg in the round of 16.
They may have been eventually knocked out by Marseille, but they would go onto progress to the final where they were beaten by Atletico Madrid.
Leipzig can use that experience to learn for this time around, given the fact this is the first time they have entered the Europa League at the group stages.
They are a Champions League quality side, as shown by their appearance in the elite competition during the 2017/18 campaign.
Factor in their big-spending summer, splashing out a combined €43m (£38.1m) on defenders Nordi Mukiele and Marcelo Saracchi alongside forward Matheus Cunha and it highlights their desire to improve.
Despite Naby Keita departing for Liverpool - the additions have made them a stronger unit, and a good-sized squad is key for this competition.
There's no doubting the fact that Chelsea do look the strongest side on paper, and their early form in the Premier League has been excellent.
However, it is that element of the Premier League that could turn out to be a huge factor in their finish in Europe's second string competition.
Maurizio Sarri's men may take this competition seriously, but they could have a dilemma if they find themselves towards the top end of the table, as expected, in the latter stages of the Europa League.
It's a certainty that the Premier League will come first for the Blues. They need to earn back the right to play in the Champions League and will want to rival Manchester City and Liverpool for the title.
The quick Thursday/Sunday turnaround in terms of fixtures could go onto be an inconvenience - giving sides the opportunity to exploit the changes they will make.
A team like Leipzig could go under the radar in that aspect. Although when they come up against the 'big boys' of the competition, they are capable of securing victory.
Posted at 1230 BST on 19/09/18
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