Former England international Gary Lineker has predicted that Tottenham Hotspur will emerge victorious in Wednesday's UEFA Europa League final against Manchester United at Athletic Bilbao stadium.
Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, Lineker, who played for Tottenham between 1989 and 1992, backed his former club to lift what would be their third UEFA Europa League trophy.
"I'm going to go for Spurs... But it could easily go to extra-time," Lineker said.
The high-stakes final comes after both Premier League giants endured disastrous domestic campaigns, with Manchester United finishing 16th and Tottenham 17th in the league table. The winner of Wednesday's showdown will secure qualification for next season's UEFA Champions League, offering a lifeline to salvage their respective seasons.
Both teams will be missing key players for the crucial encounter. Tottenham will be without Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, and Lucas Bergvall due to injuries. Manchester United fans, meanwhile, should not expect to see Lisandro Martinez, Diogo Dalot, Joshua Zirkzee, or Leny Yoro feature in the match.
The final represents a golden opportunity for both clubs to end their disappointing seasons on a high note and secure European football for the next campaign, despite their poor league performances.
