Both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are now in very similar situations in that their whole season will be decided by one game.
Tottenham and Man United currently occupy 17th and 16th spots in the Premier League respectively, a dismal performance for both sides.
In another season with a more competitive side in the bottom three, both Ange Postecoglou and Ruben Amorim might still be locked in a relegation fight with one game to go.
Position | Team | Played MP |
Won W |
Drawn D |
Lost L |
For GF |
Against GA |
Diff GD |
Points Pts |
14 | 36 | 12 | 5 | 19 | 51 | 64 | -13 | 41 | |
15 | 37 | 10 | 10 | 17 | 43 | 61 | -18 | 40 | |
16 | 37 | 10 | 9 | 18 | 42 | 54 | -12 | 39 | |
17 | 37 | 11 | 5 | 21 | 63 | 61 | 2 | 38 | |
18 | 37 | 6 | 7 | 24 | 33 | 78 | -45 | 25 | |
19 | 37 | 4 | 10 | 23 | 35 | 79 | -44 | 22 | |
20 | 37 | 2 | 6 | 29 | 25 | 84 | -59 | 12 |
Of course, Spurs and United have both been playing weakened sides whilst prioritising their Europa League games of late, but they’ve often been losing regardless of personnel.
But following Wednesday evening’s tie in Bilbao, one of the two will qualify for next season’s Champions League — a huge opportunity to salvage their seasons.
Bruno Fernandes has given his thoughts on Tottenham ahead of the final, but it remains to be seen which Spurs side show up on the night.
Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker give Europa League final predictions
That being said, all of Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker and Micah Richards gave their predictions for the final on ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast.
Shearer and Lineker boldly opted for Tottenham to end their trophy drought, however, Richards had other ideas — and the pundit actually tipped Casemiro to play the deciding role.
READ MORE: Harry Redknapp says whether he thinks Tottenham or Man United will win the Europa League final
Starting their predictions, Shearer said: “My prediction is going to be 2-2 or 3-3 after extra time and Spurs to win on penalties.
Lineker then replied: “Oh, he’s gone full on there, sounds like a World Cup final. I’m going to have to go for Spurs, I couldn’t not.
Shearer: “After 90 minutes?”
Lineker: “Well, I’ve got this feeling that it’s the teams that have not won for ages this year.
“And I think they’re going to, I don’t know about 90 minutes or, I think it could easily go to extra time.”
Adding his own shout, Richards said: “I’m going to say, I think a lot of people have laughed off Casemiro or laughed at him for a while now.
“But I think in these competitions, sometimes it goes down to set pieces. So I’m going to say Bruno assist for a Casemiro goal, one nil.”
Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham future
Of course, if Tottenham lose on Wednesday then it could prove to be Postecoglou’s penultimate game in charge.
Tottenham are searching for new managers and Daniel Levy has seemingly lost patience with performances under Postecoglou.
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Wednesday
21st
MayUEFA Europa League
Spurs’ chairman seemed sympathetic towards his manager during the club’s injury crisis — he acknowledged that Postecoglou was doing his best in difficult circumstances.
However, things haven’t improved in the league since players have returned and Levy could sack Postecoglou regardless of Wednesday’s outcome too.
And whilst clubs are looking at Ruben Amorim right now, it doesn’t seem as if United have any plans to part ways with their new manager, who they will hope is only just getting started.