Premier League set for major backlash as Man United handed Tottenham advantage
Tottenham and Manchester United are both set to finish in the bottom half of the Premier League after enduring woeful seasons.
But both Ange Postecoglou’s men and Ruben Amorim’s side can still achieve success via the Europa League, with the semi-finals set to get underway this week.
Spurs host Norwegian outfit Bodo Glimt at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the first leg of their semi-final on 1 May, while Man United travel to Athletic Bilbao on the same day.
Tottenham suffered yet another Premier League defeat on Sunday when they were hammered 5-1 by champions Liverpool, and will look to bounce back with a win against Bodo/Glimt.
Tottenham could be left angry with the Premier League
Postecoglou’s men should be able to navigate their way through to the Europa League final with a win over two legs against Bodo/Glimt.
But their penultimate Premier League game of the season is currently set to take place against Aston Villa on 18 May, just three days before the Europa League final.
| Opponent | Result |
| Frankfurt (A) | 0-1 W |
| Nottingham Forest (A) | 1-2 L |
| Liverpool (A) | 5-1 L |
Spurs are in discussions with the Premier League over a number of alternative dates for their visit to Villa Park.
The West Midlands club are opposed to a schedule change, though, as they have pre-planned a number of family activities for their final home game of the season.
However, Man United’s last game before the Europa League final has been moved to Friday, 16 May, when they visit Chelsea.
If both United and Tottenham progress to the Europa League final, the Red Devils would therefore have two more days to prepare for the showpiece than the North Londoners – a completely unfair advantage.
The Premier League would also face questions if Spurs field a weakened side at Villa Park in the event they progress to the European final in Bilbao, while Unai Emery’s men chase Champions League football.
Postecoglou can still end Tottenham season on a high
While Spurs’ concerns regarding the scheduling around the Europa League final have already emerged, the North Londoners must first navigate themselves through the final-four.
Despite their woeful Premier League season, Tottenham should have enough quality at their disposal to beat Bodo/Glimt, whose domestic season in Norway only got underway last month.
But to bolster their chances of progressing to the final, where they will face Man United or Athletic Club, Postecoglou’s men must beat their Norwegian opponents on home soil this Thursday.
Kjetil Knutsen’s men proved how good they can be at home when they defeated Lazio 2-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final with the Serie A giants.
Tottenham, therefore, will not want to head to Norway either chasing a deficit or on level terms, as it could prompt a somewhat embarrassing Europa League semi-final exit.
Postecoglou’s men have to put Sunday’s sorry display against Liverpool behind them and get the better of Bodo/Glimt in North London.