Man Utd and Spurs Set Stage for Historic All-English Europa League Final — and Potential Sixth Champions League Spot

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have taken commanding leads in their Europa League semi-final ties, opening the door not only to an all-English final but also to a rare scenario where six Premier League clubs could feature in next season’s UEFA Champions League.

United produced a dominant 3-0 win away at Athletic Bilbao — the very side hosting the final on 21 May — while Spurs secured a solid 3-1 home victory over Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt on Thursday night.

According to data from Opta, United now have a 97% chance of progressing to the final, with Spurs given a 91% likelihood. That equates to an 88% probability of an all-English showdown in Bilbao.

Such a matchup would mark just the sixth time two English sides have met in the final of a major European competition — with Spurs involved in half of those. But more significantly, it would guarantee six English clubs in next season’s Champions League, thanks to UEFA’s rule granting the Europa League winners automatic entry.

A Lifeline for United and Spurs

Both United and Spurs are languishing in the lower half of the Premier League table — 14th and 16th respectively — far adrift of the Champions League qualification spots. Without Europa League success, they would miss out on European competition entirely.

But should either side lift the trophy, they will join the top five Premier League finishers in Europe’s elite tournament next season. England earned an extra Champions League berth this year thanks to their clubs’ strong performances in Europe.

Glimt’s Arctic Fortress

Despite their deficit, Bodo/Glimt shouldn’t be written off. The Norwegian side boasts a formidable 70% home win rate in the Europa League since the start of last season, a stark contrast to their 9% success rate on the road. Spurs will need to stay sharp in next week’s return leg.

Clean Sweep in Sight?

England could be on the verge of an unprecedented European treble. No nation has ever won the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League in the same season — though it’s a real possibility in 2024-25.

Arsenal, despite a 1-0 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League semi-final first leg, remain contenders. Meanwhile, Chelsea have impressed in the Conference League, taking a big step toward the final with a 4-1 win at Djurgarden.

Opta pegs the least likely outcome of the trio at 12.1% — Arsenal’s path to the final — but the dream remains alive.

Previous All-English Finals

The first all-English European final came in 1972 when Tottenham edged Wolves over two legs to win the inaugural UEFA Cup. Fast forward to 2008, and Manchester United lifted the Champions League in Moscow after a dramatic penalty shootout win over Chelsea.

The 2018-19 season brought two such finals: Liverpool beat Spurs 2-0 in the Champions League, and Chelsea dismantled Arsenal 4-1 in the Europa League. In 2021, Chelsea once again triumphed — this time over Manchester City in a 1-0 Champions League final.

With history looming, all eyes now turn to the second legs next week — and the potential for another landmark moment in English football.