Supercomputer Predicts Europa League Winner After Man United and Tottenham Wins
- Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur took major steps towards the Europa League final after convincing results in the first leg of the semi-final
- Ruben Amorim's side defeated Athletic Club 3-0 away from home, while the North London club beat Bodo/Glimt 3-1
- Opta's supercomputer has predicted the champion after the first leg, and the English clubs are huge favourites
The first leg of the Europa League semi-finals is done and dusted, with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur taking a major step towards the final. Opta's supercomputer has predicted the winner after the latest matches.
Source: Getty Images
How Man United vs Athletic Club unfolded
Manchester United produced an incredible 3-0 win over Athletic Club away from home on Thursday, May 2. Harry Maguire's magic on the wing resulted in Casemiro scoring the opening goal.
Dani Vivian was sent off after fouling Rasmus Hojlund in the box, and Bruno Fernandes made no mistake from the penalty spot.
The Portuguese added a third late in the first half. Ruben Amorim's team attempted to extend their lead in the second half but couldn't get past the 10-man side.
Athletic Club need to score at least three goals to have a chance of reaching the final.
"Of course we are have an advantage. We have our fans, but again this could change.Anything can happen in one game. This is not done. They can do the same in Old Trafford because they are really strong, they are really intense. One sending off can happen in our stadium, so we need to be prepared" Amorim said after the game in his presser.
"We need to be really careful with our players against Brentford. Noussair Mazraoui is dead, Patrick Dorgu is tired... we have to manage the players."
How Tottenham defeated Bodo/Glimt
Tottenham Hotspur also won 3-1 in the first leg of the other semi-final.
Ange Postecoglou's side took the lead after 38 seconds courtesy of Brennan Johnson's header. James Maddison doubled the lead in the 34th minute before Dominic Solanke scored a third from the penalty spot.
Source: Getty Images
The Norwegian side scored a consolation goal in the 83rd minute, giving Tottenham something to think about for the second leg.
"I get that Bodo away is a difficult fixture, but so was Frankfurt away and we went there knowing we had to win to get through and I thought the lads handled it really well...think all those experiences give me the belief we can go there and get the job done," the Tottenham boss said via Football London.
"I think in Europe this year we’ve been really good at managing whatever situation we’re in. We’ve had some games where AZ we lost away from home, but had to come back and showed real calm and composure to win to get through here."
Opta supercomputer predicts Europa League winner
Man United have not won the competition since 2017, but lifting it this season will see them play in the Champions League next season.
Tottenham have not won a trophy in 17 years, and they are having a poor campaign in the Premier League.
According to Opta's latest simulation, Man United have a 52.4% chance of winning the Europa League while Tottenham have a 43.2% chance.
Bodo/Glimt and Athletic Club have 3.2% and 1.3% chances, respectively.
Europa League prize money compared to UCL
Earlier TUKO.co.ke compared the Champions League, Europa League and Conference prize money.
Teams in the Champions League, Europe's most prestigious competition, earn more than the other two.
Every team that played in Europe this season earned some money, then added more with a win or draw. It increased if they progressed further.
Erling Haaland lauds Lamine Yamal
Manchester City star Erling Haaland lauded Lamine Yamal after his Champions League masterclass.
The 17-year-old was sensational against Inter Milan and scored once, eliciting rave reviews.
Yamal made his Barcelona debut in April 2023, and the game was his 100th. Haaland, whose Manchester City side were knocked out in the playoff rounds by Real Madrid, made a glowing tribute to the Spanish winger.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
