These two teams, who are perhaps the Premier League’s two biggest underachievers this season, are headed for their worst-ever Premier League finishes, but they will find some solace in winning the trophy, which has been their primary goal for the majority of 2025.
A second straight victory in Bilbao might mark the start of a new era for Ruben Amorim’s United, and it will surely provide the Red Devils the best chance to bolster their roster during the summer transfer window.
It will be hard for United to defend their 16th-place finish in the Premier League standings if they lose the championship game. No matter how impressive their heroics in the closing minutes against Lyon or their dominating two-leg performance against Athletic Club were, everyone connected to Manchester United knows that just making it to the final does not mean that the team had a good season.
Furthermore, a loss would be disastrous for Ineos and United’s financial status, given the club’s recent cost-cutting efforts to increase revenue are widely known.
Opta makes their prediction for Europa League final
Using their simulation computer, the Opta specialists have determined who is most likely to win Wednesday’s Europa League final. United emerged victorious by the slimmest of margins.
The prediction, which was based on 10,000 simulations of the game, showed that Spurs won 49.3% of the time and United won 50.7% of the time. This illustrates how tense this game is, with both teams and their management acutely aware of how crucial victory is.
As a result, Opta has selected United as the favorite to win, hoping to win a major trophy for the third straight season, while Spurs are aiming to win their first major trophy since 2008.
The North Londoners will find solace in their stellar record against the Red Devils this season, which includes three wins, including a thrilling 4-3 EFL Cup quarterfinal matchup and a 3-0 thumping at Old Trafford. United last defeated Spurs in October 2022, and they haven’t defeated them in six tries.
What both managers have said ahead of the final
Amorim admitted he knows the importance of victory in Bilbao: “I’m stressed already because of the final. If we don’t do it, then it means nothing. But we’re happy to be there, so let’s see.
“It’s going to be a big final and we will try to win. It’s hard to describe what it’s like to be manager of this club, and you want to give the supporters something, because we were so disappointing in the Premier League. It’s the least we can do for these fans, for the support they have given us in this tough season.”
Meanwhile, Postecoglou hit back at claims the final means more to his side than to United.
“What do I care what Man United think? Why is that relevant to me?” he said. “You know better than me, you’ve followed this club more than I have. What do you think a trophy would do for this club?
“People are fearing that it might actually happen. They’re trying to tear it down and diminish it and try to compare us to Man United.”
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