Both sides will be looking to end their season on a high, lifting a trophy in Europe after impressive seasons domestically. Betis finished sixth in LaLiga, qualifying for the Europa League, while Chelsea ended their season in the Champions League places thanks to a final-day win over Nottingham Forest.
It’s been almost 20 years since the two sides faced each other. Betis and Chelsea went head-to-head during the 2005/2006 Champions League campaign.
Chelsea will welcome the return of Nicolas Jackson after his sending off against Newcastle United saw him sit out the Premier League run in due to suspension. Enzo Maresca has often heavily rotated his side for this competition, but it will be interesting to see if he goes full strength for the final.
Betis’ defensive solidity has helped them get to the final
The loan signing of Antony from Manchester United has helped Betis’ production in the final third, but it’s their defensive solidity that has helped them reach the final of the competition. Conceding just 0.9 goals per game, only bettered by their opponents Chelsea, Betis have been difficult to break down in Conference League.
Finding the back of the net has actually been a bit of a struggle for Betis in the competition. Despite creating 24.5 expected goals (xG), the Spanish outfit have scored just 1.6 goals per game.
Chelsea have flown through the competition
It’s difficult to argue that Chelsea haven’t been the best side in the competition so far this campaign. Scoring more goals and conceding fewer than any other team in the Conference League, Maresca’s side have been mightily impressive despite heavily rotating their squad.
The Blues have also averaged more possession per game than any other team, creating the most big chances and the most touches inside the opposition box.
Nkunku a different animal in Europe
Christopher Nkunku has endured a difficult time at Chelsea since his arrival from RB Leipzig, struggling to make an impact in the Premier League. The same can’t be said for his production in Europe, providing eight goals and assists combined in the competition.
As mentioned, Maresca has fully utilised his squad in the Conference League, giving the likes of Nkunku the opportunity to impress. The French international has flourished in Europe this term, so he could be the difference for Chelsea if Maresca continues to trust him.
Prediction
This will undoubtedly be the toughest test Chelsea have faced so far in the tournament, and Betis have been in impressive form. We’re going for a 1-1 draw in normal time, with Chelsea lifting the trophy at the end of the night.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Southampton host Arsenal at St Mary’s Stadium in the final game of the Premier League season, in a game that is unlikely to mean too much for either side. The Saints’ relegation was confirmed at the beginning of April, while the Gunners can only finish second or third, with Champions League qualification secured.
When the two sides met earlier in the season, Arsenal secured the three points with a 3-1 victory. Southampton gave them a scare as Cameron Archer opened the scoring, but Mikel Arteta’s side turned things around.
Team news
Southampton interim boss Simon Rusk confirmed that Taylor Harwood-Bellis will miss out, while Jan Bednarek is also struggling with injury. It will leave Southampton short of options at the back, hampering their already leaky defence.
News emerged this week that Jurrien Timber has undergone surgery on his ankle, and Arteta confirmed the situation in his press conference. The Spanish manager also ruled out William Saliba, while he was pleased to see Kai Havertz return in recent weeks.
Southampton a disaster at both ends
It’s certainly been a season to forget for the Saints. Gaining promotion back to the Premier League was a huge boost for the club, but they’ve struggled to lay a glove on the majority of sides they’ve faced this term.
The Saints have kept just three clean sheets all season, conceding more and scoring fewer than every side in the Premier League. It’s no surprise that Southampton were relegated with seven games to play, becoming the first club to be relegated that early in the campaign.
Arsenal fall short in title race
Although the Gunners sit in second place, Liverpool winning the league was a foregone conclusion for a while. Arteta’s side continued their phenomenal defensive record this season, but it’s in the final third where they’ve massively struggled.
Arsenal have created just 59.2 expected goals this term, ranking them seventh in the league for this metric. The lack of a natural goalscorer has come back to bite them. Although their attacking options have all contributed, they’ve missed that 20-goal striker to help them over the line.
Saka isn’t firing on all cylinders
Bukayo Saka has been a crucial player for Arsenal since emerging through the academy a few years ago. Missing half the season due to injury, the Gunners have missed his output in the final third, but it’s safe to say he’s not been the same player since returning from injury.
The England international has scored just once in the Premier League since returning, while failing to provide an assist. Arteta will be desperately hoping the injury hasn’t impacted him too much, and a full pre-season can see him get back to his best.
Prediction
Although the game doesn’t mean an awful lot for Arsenal, they will still be looking to finish as runners-up. The club will benefit financially, while it’s also a chance to end the season on a high. Southampton have picked up just 12 points this season, so we’re going for a comfortable 3-0 win to the Gunners.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Fulham host Manchester City at Craven Cottage on the final day of the Premier League season. Marco Silva’s side will be looking to cement their place in the top half of the table, but there’s a lot more riding on the game for Pep Guardiola’s men.
It’s a fairly complicated race for Europe this year, but it’s fairly straightforward for Man City to qualify for the Champions League. A win or draw at Craven Cottage will be enough, and an out-of-form Fulham side stand in their way.
A repeat of the reverse fixture will do for Guardiola after they won at the Etihad earlier in the season. The Spanish manager will be hoping it’s a little more relaxed, with the Citizens narrowly beating Fulham 3-2.
City welcomed back crucial midfielder Rodri earlier in the week, so it will be interesting to see whether he’s fit enough to start. Guardiola confirmed to the media ahead of the game that everyone is available except John Stones, who remains on the injury list.
Fulham are a threat out wide
Fulham’s system allows Antonee Robinson to almost play as a left winger when they are in possession, bombing on down the flank and pumping crosses into the box to Raúl Jiménez. Robinson’s pinpoint deliveries have been a crucial method of attack, with the American international picking up 10 Premier League assists this season.
Silva’s side have produced 6.3 accurate crosses per game this season, and it’s no surprise with a player like Jiménez attacking the ball. It’s certainly something City will have to be wary of.
Jiménez shot map, Premier League 2024/25
Lack of creativity the difference for City
It’s been a disappointing season by City’s lofty standards, missing out on the Premier League title – a rarity for Guardiola’s side. City have created just 66.2 expected goals this season, with champions Liverpool producing a whopping 81.3%.
The drop-off in creating chances has been a concern for City, but it’s clear to see why. Phil Foden has endured a difficult campaign after performing so exceptionally last term, while Kevin De Bruyne has struggled with injuries, starting just 19 Premier League games this season.
Return of Rodri could be crucial
There’s no doubt another key reason for City’s poor campaign is the absence of Rodri. The Spanish midfielder has played just 73 minutes this season. Last term, Rodri was crucial, not only for protecting the back four and building the play from deep, but also his goals and creativity.
Last season, Rodri provided 17 goals and assists combined, a phenomenal contribution for a defensive midfielder. His primary role in the team is to take the ball from the defence and progress through the midfield, but he showed last term that he has so much more to his game than just that.
Prediction
This game is simply too important for Man City. We’re going for a 3-1 win for Guardiola’s men.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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In some ways, Athletic Club and Barcelona have had similar seasons. While both teams suffered European disappointments, falling just short of reaching a continental final, they achieved their objectives in LaLiga.
Barcelona arrive in the Basque Country this weekend as Spanish champions. Athletic Club, meanwhile, have already secured their place in the top four and qualification for next season’s Champions League.
In a competitive sense, there isn’t a lot for either side to play for at this stage. Nonetheless, Sunday’s match at San Mamés presents the opportunity for Athletic and Barca to finish on a high.
Ernesto Valverde’s team are unbeaten in 26 of their last 28 league matches and have only suffered one home defeat this season, against Atlético Madrid all the way back in August.
Athletic Club have also kept a clean sheet in eight of their last 10 league matches, but it will be extremely difficult to extend that defensive run against the most fearsome forward line in Spanish football.
Key players
Oihan Sancet started his first match for Athletic Club in a month against Valencia last weekend. The number 10 has been outstanding last season and his absence was keenly felt as Athletic lost to Manchester United in the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Iñaki Williams and Nico Williams have both played with injuries recently. However, the former featured in the win over Valencia at Mestalla while the latter could play his final match for Athletic amid intense speculation about his future.
Midfielders Íñigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Beñat Prados and Álex Berenguer will attempt to control play in the centre of the pitch against a Barcelona unit that will put them under pressure on both sides of the ball.
Barcelona’s best rated performers in the league this season
Hansi Flick could rotate his team and reward some of his fringe players who have been overlooked for much of Barcelona’s season.
However, Lamine Yamal will surely be given another opportunity to showcase his incredible talent and cap an outstanding season which has seen the teenager scoring in each of his last three appearances.
Raphinha has enjoyed the season of his life, scoring 18 goals in LaLiga. The Brazilian is a perpetual threat on the left side and will have the likes of Pedri and Gavi giving him service.
Team news
Nico Williams could be sidelined for Athletic Club with Yeray Álvarez also missing. Otherwise, the Basque hosts have a fully fit and available squad to choose from for their final match of the season.
Barcelona’s injury troubles have cleared up in recent weeks. Marc-André Ter Stegen is available again, but has sat on the bench behind Wojciech Szczęsny as Flick’s starting goalkeeper.
However, Jules Koundé is sidelined as he has been for the last month with Marc Bernal also in the treatment room. Alejandro Balde and Marc Casadó, however, are back in training and could feature off the bench for the Catalans this weekend.
Prediction
We’re hoping for a relaxed end of season goal fest, one that keeps Athletic’s impressive home run going but ultimately, doesn’t damage anyone’s reputation: Athletic Club 2-2 Barcelona
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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The Premier League winners and the FA Cup winners meet on the final day of the season in what should be a major celebration for all. We say, give them cardboard cutouts of the trophies to play with in the warmup and let the fun begin.
Liverpool might have understandably gone off the boil since the title was wrapped up, but someone out there still has something to play for – Mohamed Salah is chasing the Premier League record for goals and assists in a season. He’s already done it for 38-game campaigns, but one more on the final day equals him with those who got to play 42 matches, too. He should be there, given a chance spurned last time out from close range at Brighton, but don’t rule him out yet – despite one goal from his last five matches.
The Egyptian may have signed on for another couple of years, but there should be a few goodbyes said at Anfield too – a couple of upgrades in summer are expected and despite this team winning the league at a canter, it has been apparent that one or two may have overstayed their time in the northwest. Celebrating with the trophy after the match – in front of fans this time – is a good way to go out.
Last this year, first next year
Palace have already been able to celebrate with silverware and supporters, after triumphing at Wembley. The FA Cup was their first-ever major honour and it guarantees them both European football and the Community Shield next term – meaning this fixture will be played out in back-to-back games essentially, here on the final day and then back at Wembley in August. Both Arne Slot and Oliver Glasner have overachieved versus expectations of them ten months ago, yet both will feel rightly excited about the possibility of even more next season.
Recent form
Liverpool had won three in a row to seal the title before the end of April, but have taken just one point from a possible nine since then as rotation and celebration both take their toll. Palace haven’t lost in seven in all competitions, with three straight wins of late against Spurs, Man City and Wolves being particularly impressive – as well as yielding tangible success. They’ve only lost twice since mid-February, conceding five on both occasions.
Team news
Alexis MacAllister is likely to be the only player absent for Liverpool through injury, though it feels unlikely Trent Alexander-Arnold will feature given his reception last time he appeared at Anfield off the bench.
For Palace, Marc Guéhi may miss out after his severe cheek bruising sustained in the final, while Adam Wharton is back out again.
Key player
He might have dropped off in the last month or so but Salah’s year has been sensational – more goals than 99% of wingers in Europe’s top five leagues, more shots than 90%, more chances created than 82%. Domestically on a per 90 basis he ranks higher than 98% for xG, 97% for non-penalty xG, 97% for shots on target, 96% for assists and 98% for touches in the box.
Salah’s incredibly one-sided shot map, Premier League 2024/25
Prediction
Goals for everybody on the final day – that’s usually the rule in the Premier League. Several at Anfield, therefore: Liverpool 3-2 Crystal Palace.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Lionel Messi has played the full 90 minutes of all four of Inter Miami’s MLS games in May, but they only won one of those, and things don’t get any easier this weekend as they travel to Pennsylvania to face league leaders Philadelphia Union. Can they get back on track in a difficult away game?
Inter Miami are capable of winning any game in which they play, thanks to the star players in their team who can win games by themselves.
However, when Messi or Luis Suárez are not scoring or creating goals out of nothing, the team can struggle.
The significant player turnover outside of those familiar names might have disrupted the team, and the 2025 version of misfiring Miami hasn’t been as robust as the 2024 version, despite a few promising results earlier in the season.
This has led to a disjointed-looking team and a poor run of form in which they have lost five of their last seven in all competitions, conceding 20 goals in that time.
The pressure on head coach Javier Mascherano will surely increase if they fail to win again on Saturday night.
These players are an important part of the team depth beneath the Suárez and Messi axis, and Mascherano could turn to them to try to turn things around.
A bigger issue lies in defence and, at the moment, that looks more difficult to solve through personnel alone — a constant problem for this Miami team.
It falls on Mascherno to find a way to shore things up at the back while also releasing those attacking players in support of Messi and Suárez.
The heat is on
Past a certain point, when a team is not challenging for the Supporters’ Shield or is prioritising other things, it can feel like there is not much to play for in the MLS regular season.
In Inter Miami’s case, they will be targeting a postseason MLS Cup win and will be confident of a place in the MLS Cup playoffs regardless of current form.
They only have five fewer points than they did after this many games (13) in 2024, so there is time to turn things around and begin climbing up the table, but their Concacaf Champions Cup exit, coupled with poor league form, cannot be ignored.
Eastern Conference top six heading in to the weekend
Union action
If Inter Miami could pick a next opponent to help get themselves back on track, Philadelphia Union away would probably be at the bottom of the list.
Union are six games unbeaten at home, and have won five of their last six games in MLS.
Bradley Carnell’s team top both the Eastern Conference and the overall Supporters’ Shield standings.
Union are also coming into the game on the back of a US Open Cup win against Pittsburgh Riverhounds, which spread the feel-good factor throughout the squad.
Their in-form forward Tai Baribo tops the scoring charts in MLS, while Quinn Sullivan, who started alongside his 15-year-old Man City-bound brother Cavan in the cup, is joint-top of the assists charts with six.
Prediction
Another Inter Miami defeat could put pressure on Mascherano, and all the signs suggest this will be another Inter Miami defeat.
(Cover Image from IMAGO)
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A draw is unlikely to cut if for either Chelsea or Nottingham Forest as the race to qualify for the Champions League goes down to the last day. Compared to their fellow hopefuls, this is the biggest game of the weekend.
Forest have been in the driving seat for most of the season but have fallen off considerably with just one win in their last five Premier League games while Chelsea’s only defeat in the same number of league games came away at Newcastle.
Chelsea don’t like to leave home
Earlier in the season Enzo Maresca was adamant his side weren’t ready to compete for the title, his players seemed to take notice. Chelsea have just one away win in 2025, the late 2-1 victory over Fulham a few weeks ago.
It’s advantage Forest. Their fans have been incredible all season, playing in front of those who have either never seen or waited for a while to see European football return to the City Ground will be a huge boost.
Away Defeats to Ipswich, Man City, Brighton, Aston Villa, and Arsenal over the past couple of months give the fans little to hope for going into Chelsea’s biggest game of the season so far. There has to be a significant mindset shift for the West Londoners to bag a place in Europe’s elite competition.
Two big lads at the back
Murillo and Nikola Milenković have been arguably the best defensive duo in the Premier League this season. They’re a throwback to simpler times, think Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister with less bacon butties and pints of bitter.
Broad shouldered and calm under pressure, they’ve conceded the fifth fewest goals this season with 45, two more than Chelsea, with just one error leading to a goal between the two of them.
Chelsea will be without a recognised number nine for this one after Nicolas Jackson picked up a straight red card in the defeat to Newcastle. Whoever the Blues play up top, they will have two literal man mountains to climb before even trying to score.
Well, possibly two. Murillo is an injury doubt following an ankle knock suffered last weekend.
An unexpected goal scorer
Marc Cucurella has turned his Chelsea career around. His first season at the club was chaos with a head band, now he’s refined his game, and has become an unexpected weapon in Maresca’s attacking arsenal.
His goal in the 1-0 win over United was straight from the training ground. Reece James’ turn and cross met his head perfectly. Without Cucurella, Chelsea would be nowhere near the Champions League spots.
The Spaniard is now Chelsea’s top league goal scorer in 2025 with a massive four goals, which says a lot about their struggling forwards. This one is going to be tense, perhaps the winner will once again come from an unexpected / kinda expected source.
Morgan Gibbs-White farewell tour?
Gibbs-White has always been a baller but now the big boys are starting to take notice. Man City are reportedly keen on bringing the England international further north as their Kevin de Bruyne replacement. Big shoes to fill but it shouldn’t come as a surprise.
With seven goals and eight assists in his 33 Premier League games, three of which have come in his last two games, only Anthony Elanga and Chris Wood have more goal contributions than Gibbs-White this season. He’s hitting form at the right time.
Forest goal contributions, Premier League 2024/25
He’s never put up numbers like De Bruyne, but then again, he’s never played for a side like City. Leaving Forest after qualifying for the Champions League would likely go down a little better than leaving if they miss out. Either way, any potential deal won’t come cheap.
Prediction
Chelsea’s away form is the elephant in the room here. They’re a little more solid at the back but without a focal point up front, we’re going to go with a 1-0 win for Nottingham Forest.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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The last dance for Carlo Ancelotti: Real Madrid’s legendary Italian boss will bow out at the Santiago Bernabéu with a home match against Real Sociedad, and for Los Blancos it has to be the real end of an era.
Real don’t have a whole heap of time before the new-structured Club World Cup starts, but there will be change beforehand nonetheless: Xabi Alonso will be confirmed as the new head coach in due course and his initial job will be to use the players already there to try and end the season (or is it start the next?) with at least one piece of silverware.
Madrid’s initialClub World Cup fixtures
But make no mistake, he’ll also be eyeing up the squad with a view to seeing who he wants to keep, who he wants to build around…and who has no place in his ideal rebuild, be it for tactical or technical reasons. Alonso has habitually been a back three coach so far, a system Real Madrid have used infrequently at best across the last decade. It will require a recoding of the squad makeup, and a few big decisions over the best fits in attack too. The likes of Arda Güler and Endrick might have wanted more game time than they’ve gotten this term; if so, this fixture may be one to show why they should get it under Alonso. The points are irrelevant, the league position won’t change, but Real Madrid are at a crossroads all the same and Ancelotti’s goodbye might also be one for a handful of players – we just don’t know yet which ones.
Another reset
If it’s a sorrowful goodbye in Madrid, in Sociedad it’s another. After five years in a row finishing sixth or better, and fairly consistently at least challenging for Champions League places, this season will be an undoubted disappointment for La Real. The Basque outfit can only finish tenth at best; a bottom-half finish feels more likely, given indifferent end-of-season form and the fact they’ve won five of 18 away games this term. Imanol Alguacil is another coach leaving this summer after more than six years of remarkable consistency and Copa del Rey success, but it feels the right time for a refresh. Sergio Francisco is moving up from the B team to the seniors for next term – and, of course, he took over the second outfit after the departure of a certain Xabi Alonso.
Recent form
Since losing the effective title decider at Barcelona, Real Madrid have won twice. They have three home wins in a row. Real Sociedad hadn’t won in six before victory last time out and have one away league victory since early December.
Debate will go on over if Kylian Mbappé’s debut season is a success or not but the French striker has 29 goals in 33 starts. The Pichichi is his, but a 30-goal campaign would be a statement of its own – nobody has done that in LaLiga since Lionel Messi in 2021.
LaLiga top scorers
Prediction
A few goals to end the campaign with: Real Madrid 3-1 Real Sociedad.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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There is nowhere more deafening than Wembley Stadium. No, I’m not talking about 90,000 screaming supporters, fireworks and flypasts. Nor do I mean AC/DC’s two gigs last July or the screams of adulation for Taylor Swift across her EIGHT nights in August. If you’re off to the home of English football this weekend, then think back to your school days and learning about how the Egyptians would remove the brains of soon-to-be-mummified Pharaohs.
On our greatest stage, all the colour, passion, tension and celebration will inevitably be blurred out by, and I’ve Shazammed it from the FA Cup final so you don’t have to, James Hype’s drum and bass track ‘Don’t Wake Me Up’, on the most intrusive and ear-shattering PA system in the universe.
Perhaps the Wembley DJ is unaware that the greatest advert for our game needs no soundtrack but for that of its fans. And for the Championship playoff final, we have two historic clubs from Britain’s industrial heartlands, ready to turn the volume up to 11 for a place in the Premier League.
Sheffield United with a point to prove
Chris Wilder says his players have shut out any negativity they may have faced after failing to seal automatic promotion. And across what was the longest press conference I have ever attended, he got it all off his chest in the space of 57 minutes on Tuesday.
He’s seen them lose at this stage from the stands at both the Millenium Stadium and Wembley but now the fan-turned player, turned two-time Blades boss can break the playoff curse and take them up, at what would be the club’s tenth time of asking in the EFL’s most brutal of knock-out competitions.
Gus Hamer
Combative and productive, Gus Hamer continues to be the Blades’ cutting edge. With nine goals and seven assists, his battle in the middle with Dan Neil and Jobe Bellingham will certainly be tasty. The Dutchman was one of few positives from their previous Premier League campaign, having arrived from Coventry in August 2023.
Those nine goals come from an xG of just 5.8 and include an audacious lob against Preston North End and two superb free kicks from distance. His goal against his old employers was one of the strikes of the season.
Gus Hamer shot map, Championship 2024/25
Michael ‘Chill’ Cooper
When asked to describe himself as a goalkeeper in a word, Michael Cooper replied ‘chill’ to a reporter’s question on Tuesday. Signed from Plymouth Argyle in the summer, I think he’ll soon be mentioned in conversations about an England call up if he plays in the Premier League glare.
But none of that seems to phase the 25-year-old. 21 clean sheets is outstanding but his goal prevented figure of 5.7 means that he essentially should have conceded 39 goals rather than just 33 this season. It’s been down to brilliant shot stopping, excellent positioning, his confidence, and a consistency in high claims that puts his teammates at ease.
Callum O’Hare
An ACL rupture at Brammall Lane whilst playing for Coventry City ruled Callum O’Hare out of their shoot-out defeat to Luton two seasons ago but this will be the 27-year-old’s third trip to Wembley in as many years. Last year’s ludicrous FA Cup semi-final saw him miss from 12 yards in their defeat on penalties to Manchester United. The way that the game has evolved means being a ‘finisher’ from the bench may be vital on what can be an energy-sapping day. His goals as a substitute in both semi-finals against Bristol City show he can be just that.
Kieffer Moore
The human-battering ram that is Kieffer Moore will be giving Dan Ballard a run for his money on Saturday. Both are combative and towering aerial threats. If Moore starts, then it will be an excellent sub-plot. The Welshman was instrumental in their playoff semi-final success over Bristol City.
Winning a penalty for the opener in the first leg, the 6’5” striker bagged in the second leg and across their 6-0 aggregate win, we saw all the traits that make him either an excellent Plan A or off-the-bench Plan B. I expect him to see him getting on the end of Harrison Burrows’ crosses from the left flank.
Sheffield United fan’s view
“I would have preferred to avoid Sunderland”, Sam Parry from The Pinch tells me. “They were the better team in both the games we played them, which were in the first part of the season. Wilson Isidor had the number of our centre-halves but they’ve only been ahead for a total of eight minutes across their last five matches. It’s a tricky one, I really don’t know what their level is.
Although they’re dangerous on the counter, I don’t really buy that they’re a physical team and if they go and try and play this robust defence then I’m pretty convinced that suits us. We’re a big side with big physical players who relish a battle, so I’m quite hopeful. But right now, the nerves are jangling!”
Sunderland’s steely starlets
Régis Le Bris is quiet in tone, but his team have been doing the talking for him. They’re solid defensively and have pace to attack up front, particularly in transition. With a PhD in sport physiology to his name, his reputation working with young players brought him from France to coach Sunderland and he’s been getting the best out of a squad full of potential, having switched their style up to be a solid, counter-attacking unit.
Jobe Bellingham
Signed from Birmingham City while his brother Jude was joining Real Madrid, comparisons with his sibling feel lazy and the 19-year-old deliberately plays with ‘Jobe’ and not ‘Bellingham’ on his back. However, their similarities are uncanny.
His stretching lunge for a red card against QPR back in November might sugget Jobe is still finding his feet but he can score the odd spectacular goal, is strong in the tackle, and uses his fast feet and strength to get him out of trouble to beat his man. His chance creation is one of the best in the division and his continued grounding in the Championship has given two full campaigns at senior level full of improvement.
Dan Neil
Approaching 200 games at just 23 years old, Dan Neil is already a seasoned pro thanks to the last four campaigns of hard graft in the middle for Sunderland.
One of the stats that really jumps out are his 251 recoveries this season. And, at a time where systems can be so structured, his ability to beat a man before starting an attack has been a brilliant asset for the Mackems’ attack. The man from South Shields will be living the dream of every Sunderland fan on Saturday and unlike being an unused sub in their COVID-era EFL Trophy success 2021 at an empty Wembley, he’ll be right in the thick of it this time around.
Dan Neil’s defensive numbers from midfield, Championship 2024/25
Enzo Le Fée
The pocket-rocket wide man has been hampered with a hamstring injury but has shaken that off to show us what he’s about. Having worked with Le Bris at Lorient, the 25-year-old joined on an audacious loan move from AS Roma in January.
Tellingly, the 5’7” Frenchman set up goals in both semi-finals. His inch-perfect pass set Wilson Isidor on his way for Sunderland’s opener at Coventry and it was Le Fée’s right-footed in-swinging corner that Dan Ballard got on the end of for those dramatic 120th minute scenes at the Stadium of Light last week.
Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda
With devastating turns of pace, I hope Regis Le Bris continues with starting two up-top in what is something of a much-missed throwback these days. At 20, Mayenda showed his poacher’s instinct by reading a wayward pass before rounding the goalkeeper to give them a crucial 88th minute lead at Coventry. That was the Spanish U21 international’s eighth of the season and all bar one have come inside the box. He’s a fearless finisher who may just make the difference.
As I said last week, Isidor is Djibril Cisse reborn. I haven’t seen a more instinctual player as hellbent on hitting the ball as hard as possible since his French compatriot. It’s led to the spectacular, with two missed penalties against Burnley and a ghost goal against Derby County but he can be cute, as he was with his flicked finish in their Boxing Day draw at Blackburn Rovers. Worryingly though, his goal against Coventry was his first in 13 matches.
Sunderland fan’s view
The Roker Report’s Michael Dunne is flying over from Ireland for the final. “I think it really is a 50:50 game. It could be just one moment, or one decision that goes our way because the two league games between us were both tight affairs. But, if we get our best players playing in Bellingham, Neil and Mayenda, I think we have a good chance, especially if like the Coventry game, we can try and nullify their attackers.
But to be honest, we have exceeded expectations. Most fans are just looking forward to the day. There’s more pressure on Sheffield United than us, so we’re going in just hoping for the best.”
So, what other tunes will you hear at this weekend? Tiesto’s ‘The Business’ will do the rounds pre-match, as will DJ Fresh’s 2010 hit ‘Goldust.’ Thankfully the scourge of Sweet Caroline has been consigned to history but before kick-off we’ll hear Sunderland belting out Elvis Pressley’s ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ and Sheffield United with their ‘Greasy Chip Butty’ to the tune of John Denver’s ‘Annie’s Song’. As for which one of those club anthems will be playing out after the final whistle, that’s anyone’s guess.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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If it seems laughable that either of the finalists deserve a European trophy this season, that’s because it is. It’s Manchester United vs Spurs in the Europa League final, for some reason!
In the Premier League, both teams are in abysmal form. Manchester United have taken two points from their last eight games while Spurs have taken four points from their last nine, with three of those coming against Southampton.
In Europe, it’s a different matter. Both sailed through their semi-finals and have shown their best sides in the Europa League. But in domestic competition, both clubs have had their worst seasons in decades.
First meeting in European competition
These two have never met each other in European competition, but they have each played in one all-English European final. In 2008, Manchester United beat Chelsea on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Moscow to win in the Champions League.
In 1972, Spurs played Wolves in a two-legged final of the UEFA Cup. Spurs won the first leg 2-1 at Molineux thanks to two goals from Martin Chivers. A 1-1 draw in the return match at White Hart Lane was enough for them to lift the trophy.
Key Players
If there’s one player more than any other who Manchester United could be dependent upon in this match, it’s goalkeeper André Onana. If the FA Cup final taught us anything, it was that goalkeepers can make or break a one-off match over 90 minutes, and United can’t afford anything like some of the antics he’s been guilty of this season. No pressure, there, André.
Spurs have been mis-firing of late, but it has been good to see Micky van de Ven back in the centre of the defence. A player who lends a little confidence that, “You know, maybe things aren’t going to turn out so bad after all”. Otherwise, Dominic Solanke scored in their last three European matches and has enjoyed this competition more than he’s enjoyed the Premier League, this season.
Top scorer comparison in the Europa League
Team News
Both teams have been trying to protect their remaining players ahead of this match. Spurs, for example, played eleven dustbins with shirts pulled over them at Aston Villa on Friday night, though this doesn’t alter the fact that they’ve already lost Dejan Kulusevski, Lucas Bergvalland James Maddison for this one. United will be missing Lisandro Martínez while Matthijs de Ligt is doubtful. But Amorim has stated that Diogo Dalot, Joshua Zirkzee, and Leny Yoro are all fit to play.
Prediction
*Throws hands to the sky in absolute exasperation*
Where on earth does this end up, then? These are the clown princes of English football at the moment. Both have been decent in Europe and desperate in the Premier League season, yet one of them is going to be dancing around a half-empty stadium celebrating a trophy and a place in next year’s Champions League.
It’ll probably come down to who makes the most mistakes, and I think they can cancel each other out in this respect over 120 minutes, though both teams do still contain some extremely capable players. With that in mind, I’m going for a 2-2 draw and a penalty shootout to decide this most unfathomable final. Who wins that? They could still be going by Thursday morning…
(Cover image from IMAGO)
You can follow the Europa League Final with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.
