European finals need no additional narrative to provide gusto, but this one has some extra juice to it as Premier League foes Manchester United and Tottenham meet in the UEFA Europa League title contest on Wednesday.
The match in Bilbao pits two English giants excited to see the back of a pitiful league campaign that has two clubs expecting to fight for Champions League qualification in the bottom third of the table.
Thus, a European trophy would be a massive achievement in a number of aspects for both sides. A spot in next season’s Champions League would be a blessing, plus the financial windfall that comes with it.
For the managers, too, it represents a potential reprieve from what has been a media warzone from a week-to-week basis.
There’s a significant amount riding on this match, and that should make for a tense and thrilling 90 minutes or more.
MORE: Latest team news and injury updates ahead of Tottenham vs. Man United
Tottenham vs. Man United prediction, odds
Manchester United have everything going for them in this match. Not only are they more healthy, but they have the better European consistency as well.
The Red Devils have clearly gone all out for European competition this season, and they have beaten better teams to reach this stage than Spurs, who benefitted from a soft draw. United took down Real Sociedad, Lyon, and Athletic Club en route to the final, which stacks up well against the Tottenham pathway of AZ Alkmaar, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Bodo/Glimt.
Spurs have a significant number of injuries to contend with as well, especially in midfield where United have improved considerably in recent months.
| DraftKings (USA) |
|
| Tottenham win (90 mins) |
+205 |
| Draw (90 mins) |
+230 |
| Man United win (90 mins) |
+140 |
| Both teams to score |
Y: -150 N: +115 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals |
O: -115 U: -120 |
| Tottenham to win the title |
+110 |
| Man United to win the title |
-140 |
Tottenham vs. Man United match facts
- Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025
- Kickoff Time: 9 p.m. local (3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT)
- Location: San Mames Stadium (Bilbao, Spain)
- Referee: Felix Zwayer (GER), VAR: Bastian Dankert (GER)
- Last meeting: Tottenham 1-0 Man United (Feb. 16, 2025 | Premier League)
MORE: A complete guide to betting on soccer in the United States
Tottenham vs. Man United best bet
Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo have been game-breakers for United in Europe, as they provide a consistency in the attacking third that Spurs just don’t possess.
Nobody has been more vital to a team’s success than Fernandes, who has scored seven goals and assisted five more in European play this season. As the team’s penalty taker, plus odds to score or assist for Fernandes is a gift and should not be ignored.
The same is true for Amad, whose influence was on display the moment he returned from a long-term ankle injury against Athletic Club. He came off the bench for a decisive 27 minutes at the end of the semifinal second leg, and United are simply a different side with the 22-year-old on the pitch.
Tottenham vs. Man United prop bet
- Pick: Over 5.5 total yellow cards
- Odds: +125 on FanDuel
With so much riding on the outcome, both teams will be tearing around the pitch throwing their all into this match. There will be tackles flying in, tempers flaring, and emotions at a high level. The familiarity between the two clubs will only add to the heightened levels at San Mames.
Add in the fact that referee Felix Zwayer isn’t afraid to let it fly, and you have a recipe for a yellow-card over.
While most referees try to rein it in while taking charge of European games, hoping to let the action flow amidst stylistic clashes across country borders, Zwayer is the opposite.
In the Bundesliga this season, he has averaged 3.82 yellow cards per match, 12th amongst referees in the German top flight. In Europe, however, he’s let it loose for 5.25 yellow cards per match across eight games, including seven in the Champions League. He showed six yellow cards between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal in the second leg of their semifinal matchup, and booked six more between Olympiacos and Bodo/Glimt in their Europa League quarterfinal.
