Sports
Manchester United now Focused on Europa League Trophy
It’s been a mixed season for Manchester United but there is still a chance that the Red Devils will end the campaign with some major silverware. Having briefly led at the top of the Premier League table, United have slipped back while bitter rivals Manchester City have established a big lead.
The EPL title may be gone but United can now focus on the Europa League. Thanks to the misfortune of another English club, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have a clearer path to the trophy.
Spurs Slip Up
Tottenham Hotspur had been favourites to win the Europa League for some time and the side coached by Jose Mourinho looked certain to claim a place in the quarter-finals. Spurs were 2-0 up after their first leg tie with Dinamo Zagreb but managed to throw away that advantage in a 3-0 second-leg defeat.
With Tottenham out of the running, sbo.net can now confirm that Europa League betting markets show Manchester United as the new favourites. The Red Devils are ahead while fellow English Premier League side Arsenal are expected to be their closest challengers.
As the clubs hit the quarter-final stage, those markets will continue to fluctuate and sbo.net will report on those movements. Don’t forget to check out news and opinion pieces too while sportsbook offers and promotions will be listed when any readers are looking to enter the markets.
The Biggest Challenges
Manchester United have been drawn against Spanish side Granada in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. Some would argue that this is the most favourable tie that the Red Devils could have landed considering the other teams that are left in the competition. Granada sit in eighth place in the Spanish top flight and United have the benefit of playing the first leg away from home.
From that point, the competition is likely to get much harder. As we have already seen, Arsenal are the closest challengers to Manchester United as far as the bookmakers are concerned. The Gunners have already played Solskjaer’s side twice in the Premier League and they’ve taken four points from those matches. A Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang goal secured a 1-0 win for Arsenal at Old Trafford while the sides drew 0-0 at the Emirates.
Along with Arsenal, Ajax and Roma are arguably the two strongest teams left in the Europa League. Both teams have performed well in their respective divisions and are in good form coming into this contest. The good news from Manchester United’s perspective is that Roma and Ajax have been drawn together in the quarter-finals so one of those challenges is set to be removed.
The remaining quarter-final is between Villarreal and Dinamo Zagreb. Neither team is expected to go all the way in the competition but Dinamo can offer a threat, having knocked out previous favourites Spurs in the Round of 16.
Can Manchester United win the Europa League?
There are clearly some strong teams left in this competition but the destiny of the Europa League lies in Manchester United’s hands. They have the strength of the squad and the greater quality to come through and claim the trophy in a competition that they previously won in 2017. United beat Ajax in that 2017 Europa League final and fans will also see that as an omen moving forward this year.
The key lies in pivotal players such as Bruno Fernandes who is among the Premier League’s leading scorers despite being a midfielder. The Portuguese international is deadly from set-pieces and he’s also providing crucial assists for the front men.
United’s main strikers Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial will want to be scoring at a higher ratio but they have contributed vital strikes in this campaign. With support from the experienced Edinson Cavani, United should not have any issues in front of goal.
Problems may arise at the back where the defence has been a little unsettled. Solskjaer seems unsure of his first-choice keeper with David de Gea and Dean Henderson battling for the number one jersey.
If the defence can stay strong, the goals will come at the other end of the pitch and that’s a simple equation that could ultimately lead to Europa League glory for Manchester United this season.
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By Dipo Olowookere
Manchester United centre-back, Harry Maguire, has signed a new contract with the football club for an additional year.
He will remain at the Theatre of Dreams until June 2027, with the option for a further year, a statement from the Red Devil said.
“Representing Manchester United is the ultimate honour. It is a responsibility that makes me and my family proud every single day.
“I am delighted to extend my journey at this incredible club to at least eight seasons and continue to play in front of our special supporters to create more amazing moments together.
“You can feel the ambition and potential of this exciting squad. The determination throughout the whole club to fight for major trophies is clear for everyone to see, and I am confident that our best moments together remain ahead of us,” the club’s former captain stated.
“Harry represents the mentality and resilience required to perform for Manchester United. He is the ultimate professional who brings invaluable experience and leadership to our young, ambitious squad.
“Harry, like everyone at the club, is completely determined to help Manchester United to achieve regular and sustained success,” the Director of Football at Manchester United, Mr Jason Wilcox, was quoted as saying in the statement.
The Three Lions defender has made 266 appearances and won the Carabao Cup and Emirates FA Cup since joining the club in 2019.
European club football enters its decisive quarter-final phase in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. With semi-final places on the line, the first-leg fixtures promise high-intensity clashes. All matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport, available on DStv and GOtv.
Champions League: Heavyweights Collide
At 8:00 PM, Real Madrid host Bayern Munich in the standout tie of the round. Both sides were emphatic in the previous stage, with Madrid dismantling Manchester City and Bayern delivering a dominant performance against Atalanta. The match airs live on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203).
Madrid arrive off a disappointing domestic setback, while Bayern continue to show resilience and attacking firepower. The Bernabéu will be central to Madrid’s hopes against a side currently scoring with ease.
Also at 8:00 PM, Sporting Lisbon face Arsenal in Lisbon, live on SS Football Plus HD (DStv Ch. 202). Arsenal come into the tie under pressure following consecutive cup losses in the Carabao and FA Cups, while Sporting are full of confidence after an impressive run of form. With momentum firmly on the Portuguese side, this fixture presents a significant test of Arsenal’s mentality.
At 8:00 PM on Wednesday, Barcelona welcome Atletico Madrid in what promises to be a tightly contested tactical encounter. The game will be shown live on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203). Barcelona claimed a recent league victory between the sides, but Atletico have already proven their ability to disrupt them this season. Expect a high-stakes contest between two teams who know each other well.
Also at 8:00 PM, Paris Saint-Germain take on Liverpool in Paris, live on SS Football Plus HD (DStv Ch. 202). PSG have emerged as one of the competition’s most dominant sides, carrying strong momentum into the tie. Liverpool, meanwhile, arrive under pressure following a heavy domestic defeat and will need a significant improvement to remain competitive heading into the second leg.
Europa & Conference League: Thursday Night Stakes
While the Champions League dominates midweek headlines, Thursday brings its own high-stakes quarter-final action across the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League.
In the Europa League, Bologna host Aston Villa in a compelling first-leg encounter, live on SS La Liga (GOtv Ch. 62, DStv Ch. 204) at 8:00 PM, . Aston Villa have impressed throughout the competition and arrive well-rested, while Bologna’s path to this stage has been defined by resilience and high-intensity performances. The contrast in preparation could shape the outcome.
Also at 8:00 PM, FC Porto face Nottingham Forest, with the match airing on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203). Porto will look to assert themselves at home after previous meetings between the sides, while Forest have already demonstrated their ability to navigate difficult knockout ties.
For the Conference League, Crystal Palace take on Fiorentina at Selhurst Park, live on SS Football (GOtv Ch. 61, DStv Ch. 205) at 8:00 PM. Palace continue their pursuit of European silverware against a Fiorentina side balancing continental ambition with inconsistent domestic form. The hosts will aim to build a first-leg advantage before the return fixture in Italy.
Quarter-Final Fixtures – First Legs
UEFA Champions League
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Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich – Tue, 8:00 PM (SS Premier League)
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Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal – Tue, 8:00 PM (SS Football Plus HD)
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Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid – Wed, 8:00 PM (SS Premier League)
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Paris Saint-Germain vs Liverpool – Wed, 8:00 PM (SS Football Plus HD)
UEFA Europa League
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Bologna vs Aston Villa – Thu, 8:00 PM (SS La Liga)
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FC Porto vs Nottingham Forest – Thu, 8:00 PM (SS Premier League)
UEFA Conference League
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Crystal Palace vs Fiorentina – Thu, 8:00 PM (SS Football)
Follow the Action
Catch all the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League action live on SuperSport on DStv and GOtv. Matches are also available to stream via DStv Stream and GOtv Stream. Manage or upgrade your subscription via the MyDStv or MyGOtv apps, visit www.dstv.com or www.gotvafrica.com, or dial *288# to stay connected.
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