Who are the dark horses that could go all the way in the Europa League?

The 2023/24 Europa League campaign has reached the round of 16 stage, where some teams are expected to be knocked out.

After the group stages were concluded, teams that finished third in the eight UEFA Champions League groups dropped into the knock-out playoff stage with the clubs that finished second in their respective Europa League groups.

With that out of the way as well, it is now left to see the winners of the playoff round against the group winners for a place in the quarter-finals.

On paper and according to the bookmakers and fans alike, several teams like Villarreal, Liverpool, Milan, and Bayer Leverkusen are considered to be favorites for the Europa League title, but can we have a look at some of the teams who could win the prestigious trophy?

More specifically, we take a look at the ‘dark horses’ not on everyone’s lips but in reality, boast a proper chance of going all the way in the Europa League.

West Ham United in the 2023/24 Europa League

West Ham United are preparing to face Freiburg on 7 March and 14 March in the round of 16 clash.

The tickets to the game are selling fast. You can get West Ham tickets on Seatsnet.com.

The Hammers faced Freiburg in the group stages and won on both occasions, so it is expected to be a difficult game following the German side’s dramatic win over RC Lens in the last round.

West Ham have been incredible in Europe since last season when they entered this competition by winning the Europa Conference League last year. In addition, they also cruised through the Group Stage of the Europa League this season to make the Round of 16.

David Moyes’ side have been quite inconsistent in recent weeks but will need that to change if they want to win this title. The Hammers have a decent squad capable of a challenge.

The Londoners were struggling at this stage last season but it is a different case now and last year’s success in Athens could spur them to clinch another European trophy this season.

The added fact that they have blown hot and cold in the Premier League is something that could motivate them to channel their best energy to the Europa League where there is a reasonable chance of lifting silverware.

Roma in the 2023/24 Europa League

Roma are preparing to face Brighton on 7 March and 14 March in the round of 16 clash.

The tickets to the game are selling fast. You can get AS Roma tickets on Seatsnet.com.

As Roma played in the final of this competition last season and naturally, should not be regarded as one of the dark horses of this competition. However, their turbulent campaign and run of inconsistent results have forced them into this corner.

Erstwhile manager Jose Mourinho has been replaced by club legend Daniele De Rossi and the mood around the club is changing gradually.

Four wins in five games under the former midfielder have taken the Giallorossi to just four points off the final Champions League spot on the Serie A table. He has also led the Capital Club past Feyenoord in the previous round and there is a growing belief among everyone.

That being said, few teams in the Europa League boast attacking talent on the same level as players like Romelu Lukaku and Paulo Dybala. If those two can link up, Roma can go all the way and win the Europa League for the first time.

If they are to stand any chance of going all the way though, Roma must sort out their consistency problems and must maintain a strong run of form between now and the end of the campaign.

Marseille in the 2023/24 Europa League

Marseille have a date with Villarreal on 7 March and 14 March in the round of 16 clash.

The tickets to the game are selling fast. You can get Marseille tickets on Seatsnet.com.

Marseille have also had their troubles in the 2023/24 season. In the French Ligue 1, the Marseille club are ninth on the log and eight points off the final automatic Champions League position as of the time of writing.

Marcelino started the season before being replaced by former AC Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso and in between them, Jacques Abardonado was in charge for six days. Former Ivory Coat coach Jean-Louis Gasset will now lead them until the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Les Phocéens finished second in their Europa League group behind Brighton in Group B with 13 points - 3W 2D L1.

A new managerial bounce is real and Marseille could profit from it. They saw off Shakhtar Donetsk 5-3 on aggregate in the last round to reach this stage.

Perhaps that new managerial bounce has also rubbed off on Gabonese forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who made history of his own with his strike against Shakhtar Donetsk, officially becoming the highest goal scorer in the history of the UEFA Europa League. He followed that up with a brace against Montpellier in Ligue 1 and is now starting to find form once again under new management.

That form could prove to be a key weapon and might be the one thing that could propel Marseille all the way in the competition, especially in a season where they are yet to really find any form of stability in defence.

Marseille, who lost to Atletico Madrid in the 2018 Europa League final, can build on that performance and win the Europa League for the first time in their history. It would not be an easy feat in any way but there is nothing to suggest that they cannot go all the way in the competition.