Tottenham Hotspur face Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League final on Wednesday night in Bilbao, with silverware and a Champions League place on the line.
The 2024/25 campaign has been a turbulent season for both clubs. Spurs and United sit 17th and 16th in the Premier League.
However, a European trophy would help salvage what has otherwise been a frustrating campaign.
While this is the first time these two English sides have met in UEFA competition, they are no strangers. And recent history firmly favours Tottenham.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou led his side to wins in all three meetings with Man Utd this season, outscoring the Reds 8-3 across the league and League Cup.
From a dominant 3-0 win at Old Trafford to a thrilling 4-3 cup victory and a tight 1-0 result in February, Spurs have had the measure of Ruben Amorim and his men.
But a one-off final is a different beast entirely.
Injuries and squad depth could define this contest. Tottenham will be without several key players.
James Maddison and [Dejan Kulusevski](https://whiteheartlane.com/kulusevski-undergoes-surgery-will-miss-the-europa-league-final-v-man-united/) are out, while Lucas Bergvall, Timo Werner and Dane Scarlett remain on the treatment table.
With no recognised number 10 in the squad, the wise idea would be to start captain Heung-min Son there, after Wilson Odobert looked unconvincing through the middle.
Slotting Son into the number 10 role gives Spurs a presence between the lines – someone who can pick passes, create space, and chip in with goals.
Also, he has the work rate to support the engine room, and they will need it against Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, and Bruno Fernandes.
Dominic Solanke should lead the line. Behind him, Son can operate with freedom, supported by Brennan Johnson on the right and either Odobert or Mathys Tel on the left.
Son’s pace has waned, but his football IQ remains as sharp as ever. He should take the playmaker mantle, but Postecoglou might have other ideas.
Radu Dragusin was never registered for the knockout phase and is unavailable after suffering a season-ending injury.
Pape Matar Sarr remains doubtful after being subbed off with a back issue last Friday, though there is cautious optimism that he might be fit in time.
Still, Postecoglou has weapons at his disposal. Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson, and Son will back themselves to cause United problems.
Rodrigo Bentancur and [Yves Bissouma](https://whiteheartlane.com/disastrous-yves-bissouma-cameo-vs-villa-should-be-his-last-game-for-tottenham-view/) will likely start in the engine room.
The back four should consist of Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky Van de Ven and Destiny Udogie. Guglielmo Vicario returns in goal after sitting out the trip to Aston Villa.
**Predicted Spurs XI (4-2-3-1):** Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bissouma, Bentancur; Johnson, Son, Odobert; Solanke.
Meanwhile, Manchester United also arrive in Bilbao with injury headaches of their own.
Lisandro Martinez and Joshua Zirkzee are unfit, and there are doubts surrounding the fitness of Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro.
Diogo Dalot is racing against time to return for the clash.
Elsewhere, 37-year-old Jonny Evans, who was part of the 2009 League Cup final win over Spurs and has not featured since December, may be forced into action.
Amorim must piece together a makeshift defence and hope his attack can click.
United have been in patchy form, and their road to the final has been less convincing than Tottenham’s.
With both managers under pressure and their squads depleted, the Wednesday showdown promises to be a nervy, tactical, and emotionally charged affair.
Spurs are chasing their first trophy in 17 years. They have momentum and a superior head-to-head record this season.
However, United remain dangerous, especially with a Champions League berth at stake.
If Tottenham can ride their recent dominance and keep their composure under the bright lights of San Mames, this could finally be the night the long wait for silverware ends.