Europa League Final Betting Odds: Redemption For Ruben Or Ange To Deliver?

For the seventh time, two English sides will contest a final in one of the major European competitions. 

Tottenham and Manchester United can put disastrous league seasons behind them when they contest the Europa League final in Bilbao on Wednesday.

United will start the final as slight favourites on football betting sites, but Spurs won't care about that.

The two sides have combined for just 21 wins in 74 games between them in the Premier League, but one of them will qualify for next season's Champions League.

Both bosses are under immense pressure to keep their jobs, and even then, victory might not be enough. 

United, who lost 1-0 at Chelsea on Friday, travel to Spain 16th in the table, one place above Spurs, who were beaten 2-0 at Aston Villa on the same night.

Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou reminded people earlier in the season that he "always wins a trophy in his second season".

His opposite number Ruben Amorim says that success in Bilbao will not mask the "bigger problems" the Old Trafford club must address.  

We take a look at some of the bets that stand out from Wednesday's final.

Bruno Fernandes To Be An Anytime Scorer

There's a feeling that if United are to win in Bilbao, then skipper Bruno Fernandes needs to have a good game. 

Fernandes is the competition's leading scorer with six goals, and includes a hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad in the last 16. 

The Portuguese also has four assists and will be important to United's chances.

However, despite playing 222 of the 270 minutes in the three meetings with Spurs this season, he has failed to register a goal contribution. 

Fernandes missed the other 48 minutes after being sent off in the 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford in September, although he avoided a ban as the red card was later rescinded.

The United skipper has scored 19 times in all competitions this season and he is 23/10 to score in the final. He is 13/2 on betting apps to open the scoring. 

Second Half To Be Highest-Scoring Half

With a place in next season's Champions League at stake, there is every chance this final could be a slow burner. 

Both sides may be happy to use the first half to settle into the game and look to be more adventurous in the second half to avoid extra-time. 

The second half has been the highest-scoring half in the majority of matches both Spurs and United have played in this season's competition.

Highest Scoring Half Odds:

Eight of Tottenham's 14 games on this cup run have seen more goals after half-time than before the interval. 

For United, the second half to be the highest-scoring half has been a winning bet in seven of their ties. 

The second half to be the highest-scoring half can be backed at 23/20, while the first half is 23/10.

Both Teams To Score

One of the reasons why these two sides have lingered just above the relegation zone for the latter stages of the season is their inability to keep clean sheets. 

United have kept just three in 14 European games, while Spurs have registered five.

Remarkably, Ruben Amorim's side are the only club yet to lose a European game this season and have managed to score in every Europa League tie.

Both teams to score has been a winning bet in five of the last six Europa League finals and looks a solid bet this time around.

Neither side has been involved in a goalless draw in Europe this season and it's unlikely the final will finish 0-0, which can be backed at 9/1.

Odds of 3/4 are available for both teams to score in a game that could decide the future of the two managers.

Extra-Time To Be Played

Extra-time has been needed in three of the last four finals, with Atalanta's 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen last season the exception.

It might not be a surprise if this game needs an extra 30 minutes to determine the winner, but even then, the two sides could still be all square.

United are 11/1 to claim victory in extra-time, while Spurs are 12/1.

With a place in the lucrative Champions League at stake, both sides might be content to play out a boring final and let it be decided on spot-kicks. 

Both teams are 10/1 to win the Europa League final on penalties. 

United have won one and lost one in penalty shoot-outs this season, while Spurs have done well to avoid them.

It might not be a classic final, but neither manager or fanbase will care about that.