Tottenham Hotspur are set to take on Manchester United in the final of the Europa League on Wednesday, 21 May, in a match that will have huge ramifications for the futures of both clubs.
Both sides have had dismal league campaigns, and in most other seasons, their respective points tallies would have been low enough to see them embroiled in a relegation battle. The Europa League has represented an escape for both, but only one side will be able to say their season has been saved on Wednesday night.
Winning a European trophy is a rare and impressive feat, but United and Spurs know that there's more than that riding on this one. A place in next season's Champions League is also at stake, and an influx of cash that could help transform the fortunes of either club.
How the bookies view it: Man Utd start as marginal favourites
Understandably, the bookies aren't convinced by either team ahead of Wednesday night so there isn't much in it when it comes to the odds. BoyleSports have given Man Utd the edge, at a price of 6/4, while a win for Tottenham has been priced at 7/4. The draw, which would take the match to extra time, has been priced at 9/4.
Head to head: Advantage Tottenham
Although Man Utd have won two of their last three cup finals, their recent record against Tottenham is worrying, to say the least. In three matches between the two clubs this season, Spurs have come out on top in all three, including a 4-3 thriller at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Carabao Cup.
Players to watch: Which captain will come up trumps?
There are a lot of players in both camps who are perhaps not at the required standard, but each team possesses one player who is more than deserving of playing in a European final.
For Manchester United, that man is Bruno Fernandes. It isn't a stretch to say that without their captain this season, Man Utd could legitimately have been relegated, and in a dismal team, he has still managed to contribute 19 goals and 16 assists across all competitions.
For Tottenham, it is Son Heung-Min who they will lean on this week. Unlike Fernandes, Son hasn't been at his best this season, but he still feels like Tottenham's most dangerous weapon on Wednesday night and the man that Man Utd will be most fearful of.
Predicted line-ups
Man Utd will be without Joshua Zirkzee and Lisandro Martinez on Wednesday night, and there are doubts about several other players. Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro would all start if available but all three will need to prove their fitness in training before the final.
While Man Utd have issues at the back, Tottenham are having a midfield crisis. Lucas Bergvall, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison have all been ruled out, while there are fresh doubts about Pape Sar.
Tottenham: Vicario – Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie – Bentancur, Bissouma – Odobert, Son, Johnson – Solanke
Man Utd: Onana – Yoro, Maguire, Shaw – Amad, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu – Fernandes, Garnacho- Hojlund
Anything else catch the eye?
Don't expect a repeat of the 4-3 Carabao Cup classic from earlier in the campaign as both teams have been struggling for goals in recent weeks. Man Utd have scored just four goals in their last five matches against Premier League opposition while Tottenham have only scored three in their last five. Under 2.5 goals has been priced at 3/4 by BoyleSports.
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