Bookies pick clear Tottenham vs Man Utd favourite for all-English Europa League final

A season to forget for both Tottenham and Manchester United could end in scenes to remember when they meet in this month’s Europa League final.

The Premier League’s 16th and 15th placed sides will bid for European glory on May 21, with the trophy and a coveted spot in next season’s Champions League up for grabs.

Those surprised at Spurs’ involvement here must not have been paying attention.

Ange Postecoglou’s side were the pre-tournament favourites to win this competition all the way back before a ball was kicked.

And the Aussie has warned everyone he always wins a trophy in his second season.

It’s a comment he’s had to deal with all season and partly ridiculed for despite there being truth in it and now he’ll get the chance to put that to fruition on the grand stage in Bilbao.

Despite that favourite tag back in September – and thumping 5-1 aggregate win over Bodo/Glimt in the semis – they actually go into the final as UNDERDOGS with the bookmakers.

They’re priced up at 11/10 to be Europa League winners and end years of hurt for Spurs supporters.

Manchester United are the 4/6 favourites with Betfair to lift the trophy and hand Ruben Amorim a first title as United boss in a disappointing campaign.

They were excellent across both legs of the semi final against Athletic Club, who had the added pressure of a home final in Bilbao for their supporters.

That 7-1 triumph on aggregate vindicated Amorim’s decision to almost abandon the league position to focus on this competition – going six games without victory in domestic football.

And United are actually UNBEATEN in this year’s competition.

However, United’s record against Spurs have been pretty rotten in recent years and they haven’t actually beaten them in a competitive game since 2022 at Old Trafford.

Tottenham are unbeaten in the six games since against United, winning four of those including the last three games on the spin!

Despite that, United’s history of winning finals is seemingly working in their favour and they’ve been joint-favourites with Bilbao for this competition since the quarter final stage.

Now, they go into the showdown as favourites to win it.

They’re 9/1 to win the final in extra time and 17/2 to win on penalties, with Spurs 10/1 and 9/1, respectively.

Extra time on the cards? Either side to win AET is a 5/1 shot and it’s 9/2 the game heads to penalties – which would be very English indeed.

Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom said: “Man United are the clear favourites to win the Europa League trophy after booking a place in the final on Thursday.

“The Red Devils, who eased past Athletic Club in the previous round, are 7/5 to win the tie in normal time, with Tottenham 15/8 to achieve the same feat. 

“Ange Postecoglou is 11/10 to lift his first trophy as Tottenham boss after securing their place in the final. Meanwhile, either team to win in extra time is priced at 5/1, with the tie 9/2 to go all the way to penalties.”

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