Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United and Peter Bosz’s Ajax go head-to-head in the UEFA Europa League final at the Friends Arena, Stockholm this Wednesday night.
The Premier League outfit are the bookies’ favourites, but Ajax has been very impressive all season. These two don’t lose many between them, but something has got to give in this one.
Will the Red Devils seal their first Europa League trophy, or can the Dutch side cause an upset in the Swedish capital?
Ajax v Manchester United
It’s been another fine Europa League campaign, with plenty of thrills and spills, and a fair few shock results to boot. There were several big clubs taking part in this year’s competition, but Ajax and Manchester United are worthy finalists. After winning their group, Bosz’s men beat the likes of Legia Warsaw, FC Copenhagen, Schalke and Lyon to reach Stockholm. As for United, they struggled at times in Group A, but have looked strong in the knockout stages, seeing off Saint Etienne, Rostov, Anderlecht and Celta Vigo.
Both Ajax and Manchester United will be backing themselves to lift the trophy on Wednesday night. As we mentioned, the bookies make United their favourites, but this one really could go either way. The Red Devils have never won a Europa League/UEFA Cup, they will be hoping Wednesday will be their time.
Ajax were extremely impressive in their domestic league this season. Bosz’s boys, who finished runners-up to Feyenoord by a single point in the Eredivisie, won 25 of their 34 league fixtures, losing just three times in the process. The four-time European champions ended their league campaign with six wins from their final seven matches.
Things have been a little different for Mourinho’s men in their domestic league, as they have drawn a staggering 15 of their 37 Premier League games. Although they have been hard to beat, losing just five times in the PL all season, the Manchester club were never in the race for the title. In fact, before this weekend’s final fixtures, United trail leaders and champions Chelsea by a whopping 24 points.
No matter what the score finishes against Crystal Palace on Sunday, Man United will finish their Premier League season in sixth place, meaning Wednesday will be their final chance of gaining Champions League football. Ajax, meanwhile, are already there, as the top two teams in the Eredivisie earn a passage through to Europe’s elite competition.
Being the favourites, Manchester United will be expected to take the game to their opponents. We’re predicting a very tight match to unfold in the Friends Arena, but we do believe the Red Devils can nick it. Because of that, the standout bet in this showpiece final is for Manchester United to win and both teams to score in the 90, which is available at the temping price of 7/2 with Coral.
Manchester United to Win and Both Teams to Score – 7/2 at Coral