It’s an all-England final in the Europa League as Tottenham take on Manchester United on May 21st. They’re playing for the UEL trophy and a spot in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League. The two finalists are much closer to the relegation zone in the Premier League than the UCL spots. So, this is a massive match for both teams, especially Tottenham, who haven’t won a trophy since 2008. Ahead of next week’s Europa League Final, we’ll preview the action and share our best value bet.
Both teams have been in absolutely horrendous form in the Premier League. They are both on track for their worst-ever finishes in the EPL. Tottenham (17th place) have won just one of their last nine matches in the EPL. Meanwhile, Manchester United (16th) are winless in their last seven Premier League matches. However, they’ve saved their best for the Europa League.
Tottenham handily beat Bodo/Glimt in the Semifinal, which finished 5-1 on aggregate. At the same time, Manchester United destroyed former favorites Athletic Club 7-1. Now, United take on Tottenham in Athletic Bilbao’s home stadium, San Mames.
Road to the Europa League Final
Tottenham went 5-2-1 in the group stage, which was good enough for fourth place. After losing 1-0 in the first leg of the round of 16 to AZ Alkmaar, Spurs picked up a 3-1 win in the second behind two goals from Wilson Odobert.
In the first leg of the Quarterfinal, Spurs drew 1-1 at home against to Eintracht Frankfurt. Ange Postecoglou’s men managed a 1-0 victory in Germany to advance to the Semis. There, Dominic Solanke scored in both legs against Bodo/Glimt to send Spurs to the Europa League Final.
Despite a 10-9-17 record in the Premier League this season, Manchester United are unbeaten in the Europa League. The Red Devils went 5-3-0 in the group stage and finished in third place. They followed up a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the round of 16 against Real Sociedad with a dominant 4-1 win. Bruno Fernandes scored a hat trick in the process.
Two Andre Onana errors against Lyon meant United drew 2-2 in the first leg of the Quarterfinal. Despite our prediction, United came out on top 5-4 in a wild second leg that went into extra time. Man United decimated Athletic Club in the Semifinal, to the tune of 3-0 and 4-1 wins.
Tottenham Searching For First Trophy in 17 Years
Former Tottenham captain Harry Kane managed to end his career-long trophy drought recently as he won the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich. Spurs have the opportunity to follow suit and win their first trophy since the 2008 League Cup. Even if Tottenham win, it’s likely that Daniel Levy sacks Ange Postecoglou at the end of the campaign.
Postecoglou has presided over a 20-loss domestic season, which Tottenham haven’t experienced since 1912-13. Injuries have decimated Tottenham but other teams like Arsenal and Manchester City still managed to contend for the Champions League this season. Tottenham still have the chance to get there. However, they need to play as error-free as possible to end Postecoglou’s tenure on a high.
Granted, Spurs are unbeaten in their last six matches against Manchester United, in all competitions. Postecoglou has already beaten Manchester United three times this season, in both EPL meetings and the EFL Cup Quarterfinal. Dominic Solanke has found the net three times against United this season.
Solanke has been Tottenham’s most productive player in the Europa League, with five goals and four assists. The striker scored in both legs against Bodo/Glimt and has managed to score 15 goals in his first season with Spurs.
Spurs’ current captain Son Heung-min is one of the best players to never win a trophy. He may feel vindicated in his decision to stick around if Tottenham can win next Wednesday.
Unfortunately, James Maddison suffered an injury in the first leg of the Semifinal. So, the attacking midfielder will miss the final. Defender Radu Dragusin and midfielder Lucas Bergvall are also out, while winger Dejan Kulusevski is doubtful.
Fernandes Key for Amorim’s United
Although Erik ten Hag’s tenure with Manchester United was highly disappointing, he managed to win trophies in each of his two full seasons with the club. Now, Ruben Amorim can redeem Manchester United’s worst season for 50 years with their first European trophy for eight years. Although they’ve failed to win a league game for two months, they’re firing on all cylinders in the UEL.
Man United have failed to score in 10 of Amorim’s 25 Premier League games in charge. However, they’ve scored in all 10 of Amorim’s Europa League matches. In fact, they’ve scored a whopping 18 goals in their last five UEL matches, including 12 in their last three alone.
Bruno Fernandes is one of the best players in the competition’s history. With a hat trick against Real Sociedad in the round of 16, He surpassed Dries Mertens for the most goal contributions in UEL history. Since then, he’s scored three more goals and dished out two assists.
United have been scoring a ton in the UEL but they’ve also conceded eight times in their last five matches. Amorim’s United have given up the most goals per game of any Red Devils team since the early Sir Alex Ferguson days.
Lisandro Martinez is out for the Europa League Final, Lenny Yoro is doubtful and Matthijs de Ligt is recovering from an injury. So, United could certainly be vulnerable defensively against Tottenham. Diogo Dalot and Joshua Zirkzee will likely miss the UEL Final as well.
Europa League Final Analysis and Best Value Bet
Barcelona beat Real Madrid four times this season and Tottenham have the opportunity to do the same to Manchester United next Wednesday. Still, the bookmakers have this one down as a very tight Europa League Final.
In fact, Man United are favorites to win in normal time, at +140 odds. Tottenham sit at +185 to take down the Red Devils once again. Meanwhile, a draw is at +240. Spurs will undoubtedly miss James Maddison’s creativity, as he started in all of the other games against United this season.
Still, United will be shorthanded defensively for this one. Tottenham can undoubtedly still find ways to score with players like Solanke and Son. As for Man United, their unbeaten record in the Europa League is very much on the line.
We think this has the makings of an exciting UEL Final. Under Postecoglou, Tottenham play a high-risk, high-reward game and that won’t change just because a trophy is on the line. So, expect a fair few goals in this one. Consider betting on over 2.5 goals at -120 odds. It’s our Top Soccer Bet for the match and has the most value on the odds board.
After all, this fixture has produced 11 goals in three games this season. Plus, United’s last five UEL matches have averaged over four goals, excluding extra time.
