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Manchester United now Focused on Europa League Trophy

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Manchester United Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

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.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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SuperSport to Broadcast Midweek Football Action in the Premier League and La Liga

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supersport Midweek Football Action

Midweek football returns with crucial fixtures across the Premier League and La Liga, as title contenders look to maintain momentum and struggling sides fight to steady their campaigns. Fans can watch all the action live on SuperSport, exclusively on DStv and GOtv.

Premier League: Key Battles Across the Table

On Tuesday, Fulham host Man City at 8:30 p.m. City edged Leeds 3–2 at the weekend, with Phil Foden scoring twice to keep them five points behind leaders Arsenal. They now face a revitalised Fulham side who have won back-to-back matches, including a gritty 2–1 victory away at Tottenham, and are steadily pulling clear of the relegation zone.  The match will air live on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203)

Also at 9:15 p.m., Newcastle welcome Tottenham to St James’ Park. Spurs remain winless in their last seven games across all competitions and have dropped to fifth after their 2–1 home defeat to Fulham. Newcastle, meanwhile, arrive with renewed confidence after a commanding 4–1 win at Everton and continue to be one of the league’s toughest home sides. The match will air live on SS Action (GOtv Ch. 66, DStv Ch. 206)

On Wednesday, league leaders Arsenal return at 8:30 p.m. when they face Brentford at the Emirates. Arsenal were held to a 1–1 draw by Chelsea but remain firmly in control at the top. Brentford, who beat Burnley 3–1 last time out, continue to show strong form at home but have struggled to replicate those performances on the road. Watch live on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203)

At 9:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Leeds United take on Chelsea at Elland Road live on SS Football (DStv Ch. 205, GOtv Ch. 61). Chelsea battled to a 1–1 draw against Arsenal despite going a man down, and a win here could push them into second place depending on other results. Leeds, however, have lost four straight and sit in the relegation zone, needing a turnaround to avoid deeper trouble.

Also at 9:15 p.m., Liverpool face Sunderland at Anfield. Liverpool stopped their run of defeats with a controlled 2–0 win away at West Ham and now aim to re-establish rhythm against a Sunderland side sitting near the top of the table. Sunderland edged Bournemouth 3–2 in their last outing, ending a three-game winless stretch. The match will be live on SS La Liga (GOtv Ch. 62, DStv Ch. 204)

On Thursday, Man United host West Ham at 9:00 p.m., airing live on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203). United came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2–1 at Selhurst Park, recording their first victory in four matches. West Ham, meanwhile, remain close to the relegation zone after a 2–0 loss to Liverpool and need a stabilising result.

La Liga: Top Contenders Face Crucial Tests

On Tuesday, Barcelona face Atlético Madrid at 9:00 p.m. Barcelona’s 3–1 win over Alavés moved them top of the table, but they now confront an Atlético side in exceptional form. Atlético have won six straight league matches and remain unbeaten in more than ten across all competitions, making them one of the most dangerous teams in Spain at the moment.

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On Wednesday at 7:00 p.m., Athletic Club host Real Madrid at San Mamés. Real Madrid have drawn their last three league matches, including a 1–1 result against Girona, a run that has cost them top spot. Athletic, meanwhile, arrive after a confident 2–0 win away at Levante and continue to show strong defensive discipline. With Barcelona, Real Madrid, Villarreal and Atlético all tightly packed at the top, every point now carries significant weight. Both games air live on SS La Liga (DStv Ch. 204, GOtv Ch. 62).

Midweek Highlights

Premier League

  • Fulham vs Man City — Tue, 8:30 p.m.

  • Newcastle vs Tottenham — Tue, 9:15 p.m.

  • Arsenal vs Brentford — Wed, 8:30 p.m.

  • Leeds United vs Chelsea — Wed, 9:15 p.m.

  • Liverpool vs Sunderland — Wed, 9:15 p.m.

  • Man United vs West Ham — Thu, 9:00 p.m.

La Liga

  • Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid — Tue, 9:00 p.m.

  • Athletic Club vs Real Madrid — Wed, 7:00 p.m.

Catch Every Game

Stream every match live on select SuperSport channels or on the DStv Stream and GOtv Stream apps. Manage or upgrade your subscription via the MyDStv or MyGOtv apps, or visit www.dstv.com and www.gotvafrica.com, or dial *288# to stay connected.

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Don’t Miss These EPL Games as DStv Opens EPL Channels to All Customers from Yanga Up

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DStv Opens EPL Channels

The Premier League enters another decisive weekend, and the title picture could look very different by Sunday night. Arsenal’s trip to Stamford Bridge headlines a fixture list loaded with jeopardy, while Manchester United face a resurgent Crystal Palace side with top-six ambitions of their own. Manchester City have a chance to apply early pressure, and Liverpool are fighting simply to keep their season from unravelling further.

Across the board, the margins are tightening, and for several contenders, this is a weekend they cannot afford to get wrong.

  • Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United (13:00 WAT, Sunday)

Crystal Palace enter the weekend knowing a win could pull them into the league’s top six — and depending on other results, even edge them into the top-three conversation. Their football has been coherent, aggressive, and structurally sound, despite losing talisman Eberechi Eze in the summer.

United’s defeat at home to 10-man Everton raised familiar concerns: inconsistency in midfield, disjointed pressing, and an attack that drifts in and out of games. The lack of midweek football can be their biggest advantage. Palace, by contrast, are coming off a Thursday European fixture, a schedule squeeze that could affect their intensity in the closing stages.

But based on current form, Palace look to be the more complete team. Their starting XI has been one of the most stable and coordinated in the league, while United arrive trying to prove they remain credible top-four contenders. For Palace, this is a chance to protect their position or announce themselves as part of the season’s emerging elite.

  • Liverpool vs West Ham (15:05 WAT, Sunday)

Liverpool’s fall from defending champions to 12th in the table has been one of the season’s sharpest regressions, and the pressure around Anfield is starting to tighten. A squad rebuilt around high-profile summer arrivals – Wirtz, Isak and Frimpong – has yet to find rhythm, raising uncomfortable questions about recruitment and adaptation. Liverpool have taken just one win from their last five matches, and anything short of victory here risks deepening the crisis.

Morale hasn’t been helped by the long-term loss of Diogo Jota, whose absence has forced a tactical reshuffle and exposed the team’s diminishing depth in the final third. A win could lift Liverpool back toward the fringes of the top six, restoring some sense of trajectory in a title-defence campaign that has never quite ignited.

West Ham, meanwhile, come into the weekend with quiet momentum. Two wins from their last three have pulled them clear of immediate relegation danger, and David Moyes’ side have shown a sharper edge in midfield and transition. They are still unpredictable, capable of resilience but equally prone to lapses, yet against this version of Liverpool, they will feel there is something to take.

Form points in West Ham’s direction. Expectation leans heavily on Liverpool. And somewhere in between lies a match that could decide how long the pressure around Anfield remains manageable.

  • Chelsea vs Arsenal (17:30 WAT, Sunday)

Chelsea enter the London derby with an opportunity that has become increasingly rare in recent seasons: a chance to gain ground on Arsenal in the title race. But the task is formidable. Arsenal remain one of the league’s most balanced sides – defensively disciplined, structurally tight, and consistently incisive in the final third – and they arrive at Stamford Bridge with form and confidence on their side.

Recent history does not favour Chelsea. They haven’t beaten Arsenal in the league since 2021, a run that has shaped the psychological edge between the teams. Yet this Chelsea side has shown enough volatility, both good and bad, to make the derby feel closer than the table suggests. With the top of the league in reach, the stakes sharpen.

For Arsenal, Eze’s form provides an additional spark. Fresh off a hat-trick in the North London derby, he comes into this fixture with a swagger that could tilt the attacking equation. Chelsea, meanwhile, face uncertainty around Cole Palmer’s availability, a variable that could shape their entire attacking approach.

It’s a derby that feels finely balanced, even if Arsenal hold the statistical and historical advantages. For Chelsea, this is less about rivalry and more about rewriting a narrative that has belonged to Arsenal for the better part of four years.

  • Manchester City vs. Leeds United (15:00 WAT, Saturday)

Manchester City arrive at the weekend on the back of two frustrating results, but even in a stuttering moment, they remain overwhelming favourites. The quality gap is obvious – Haaland, Foden and the rest of City’s core operate at a level Leeds are still adjusting to after their return to the Premier League.

Leeds, meanwhile, remain locked in a relegation fight, with just one win from their last five matches. Their effort and energy are rarely in question, but the margins at this level are unforgiving, and their squad is still catching up to the demands of the division. Against City, any hesitation, in possession or in transition, is usually punished.

For Pep Guardiola’s side, the stakes are sharper than they appear. A win would take City up to second place, at least temporarily, applying immediate pressure ahead of the Arsenal–Chelsea clash later in the day. And if Chelsea falters, City could reclaim the spot they have long treated as familiar territory.

For fans who want to follow every twist and turn, DStv Yanga customers will have full access to SuperSport EPL and SuperSport Action from 12AM on Sunday, 30 November through to 11:59PM same day. Whether it’s the high-stakes London derby, City’s push to reclaim second place, or Liverpool’s fight to steady the ship, every match is available live, uninterrupted. The channels will return to their regular Compact packages on Monday morning, giving viewers a chance to digest what promises to be a defining weekend in the Premier League.

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SuperSport to Air Mega Football Weekend with PL Sunday Offer

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supersport Mega Football Weekend

Club football continues with a heavyweight slate of fixtures across Europe’s top leagues, headlined by the Premier League’s London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal supported this weekend by SuperSport’s Sunday Special open window, which gives GOtv Jolli and DStv Yanga customers access to Premier League action all day on Sunday. All matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport, exclusively on DStv and GOtv.

Premier League: Chelsea and Arsenal Takes Centre Stage

Saturday opens at 4:00 p.m. with Man City hosting Leeds United. City have suffered consecutive defeats in the league and Europe, while Leeds remain deep in relegation trouble after three straight losses.

At 6:30 p.m., Everton face Newcastle. The Toffees are chasing a third straight win, while Newcastle arrive on the back of a Champions League setback against Marseille. The day ends at 9:00 p.m. as Tottenham meet Fulham. Spurs are searching for their first win in four matches across all competitions.

Sunday’s action begins at 1:00 p.m. with Crystal Palace facing Man United. Palace sit fifth and continue to push the pack above them; United, winless in three, need a response.At 3:05 p.m., West Ham take on Liverpool. Liverpool have hit a rough patch, losing to both Nottingham Forest and PSV in the past week.

The weekend’s headline fixture kicks off at 5:30 p.m. as Chelsea welcome Arsenal. The league leaders have won six of their last seven and impressed in Europe with their victory over Bayern Munich. Chelsea, buoyed by wins against Burnley and Barcelona, aim to close the six-point gap separating them from top spot.

All Premier League matches are live on SuperSport Premier League (DStv Ch. 203, GOtv Ch. 65).

La Liga: Barcelona Push, Atlético Surge, Madrid Defend Top Spot

Barcelona face Alavés on Saturday at 4:15 p.m. Barça come in from a 3-0 loss to Chelsea in the Champions League and remain one point behind Real Madrid. Alavés, with three wins in their last four, will seek an upset.

At 9:00 p.m., Atlético Madrid host Real Oviedo. Atlético are La Liga’s form side with five straight wins and 10 unbeaten, yet still sit fourth. Oviedo remain bottom with only one win this season.

Sunday at 2:00 p.m. sees Real Sociedad face Villarreal. Villarreal enter with four consecutive victories and sit third; Sociedad are unbeaten in five and remain dangerous.

The Seville Derby follows at 4:15 p.m. as Sevilla meet Real Betis. Betis sit fifth but have only one win in five; Sevilla, 11th, can climb significantly with a victory and favourable results elsewhere.

The weekend closes with Real Madrid traveling to Girona at 9:00 p.m. Madrid, coming off back-to-back league draws but buoyed by a Champions League win over Olympiakos, must win to protect their lead.

All La Liga matches air live on SuperSport La Liga (DStv Ch. 204, GOtv Ch. 62).

Serie A: Top Four Separated by Just Three Points

 Juventus take on Cagliari at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. Juve have drawn their last two league fixtures but picked up a Champions League win in midweek. Cagliari remain winless in eight.

At 8:45 p.m., AC Milan take on Lazio. Milan, fresh from a derby victory over Inter, sit second and remain firmly in the title hunt. Lazio have won three of their last five.

On Sunday at 3:00 p.m., Pisa host Inter Milan. Inter need a response after league and European defeats.

The round concludes with Roma against Napoli at 8:45 p.m., a top-of-the-table meeting between first and third. Both teams earned big midweek European victories and enter in strong form.

All Serie A matches are live on SuperSport Africa 2 (DStv Ch. 208, GOtv Ch. 64).

Ligue 1: PSG Defend a Narrow Lead in a Tight Title Race

Saturday at 5:00 p.m., Monaco host PSG. PSG remain top with 30 points and arrive after a decisive win over Le Havre. Monaco, eighth, need a major response following their 4-1 defeat to Rennes. This match will air on SuperSport Africa 1 (GOtv Ch. 63, DStv Ch. 207).

At 9:05 p.m., Marseille face Toulouse. Marseille are in strong scoring form after a 5-1 win over Nice, while Toulouse seek consistency after a narrow loss to Angers.

Sunday features Strasbourg facing Brest at 3:00 p.m., followed by Angers against Lens and Le Havre squaring up Lille, both at 5:15 p.m.  Lens remain firmly in the title chase, while Lille continue to push for European places.

Catch all Ligue 1 matches will air live on SuperSport Football (DStv Ch. 205, GOtv Ch. 61).

Weekend Highlights

Premier League

  • Man City vs Leeds — Sat, 4:00 p.m.

  • Everton vs Newcastle — Sat, 6:30 p.m.

  • Tottenham vs Fulham — Sat, 9:00 p.m.

  • Crystal Palace vs Man United — Sun, 1:00 p.m.

  • West Ham vs Liverpool — Sun, 3:05 p.m.

  • Chelsea vs Arsenal — Sun, 5:30 p.m.

La Liga

  • Barcelona vs Alavés — Sat, 4:15 p.m.

  • Atlético Madrid vs Real Oviedo — Sat, 9:00 p.m.

  • Real Sociedad vs Villarreal — Sun, 2:00 p.m.

  • Sevilla vs Real Betis — Sun, 4:15 p.m.

  • Girona vs Real Madrid — Sun, 9:00 p.m.

Serie A

  • Juventus vs Cagliari — Sat, 6:00 p.m.

  • AC Milan vs Lazio — Sat, 8:45 p.m.

  • Pisa vs Inter Milan — Sun, 3:00 p.m.

  • Roma vs Napoli — Sun, 8:45 p.m.

Ligue 1

  • Monaco vs PSG — Sat, 5:00 p.m. (on SS Africa 1)

  • Marseille vs Toulouse — Sat, 9:05 p.m.

  • Strasbourg vs Brest — Sun, 3:00 p.m.

  • Angers vs Lens — Sun, 5:15 p.m.

  • Le Havre vs Lille — Sun, 5:15 p.m.

Free Access this Football Weekend

All Premier League matches are on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203), with Sunday Special open access available to all GOtv Jolli and DStv Yanga customers.

All La Liga matches are on SS La Liga (GOtv Ch. 62, DStv Ch. 204). Ligue 1 is on SS Africa 1 (PSG match) and SS Football for all other fixtures. Serie A is live on SS Africa 2 (GOtv Ch. 64, DStv Ch. 208).

Stream every match live on DStv Stream or GOtv Stream. Upgrade or stay connected via the MyDStv or MyGOtv app, dial *288#, or visit the official websites.

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