English sides in Europe: Premier League clubs' route to the finals
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With the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League semi-finals now underway, Ladbrokes looks at how the English sides are doing in Europe and assesses the routes Premier League teams must take to reach the final.
Arsenal crashed out of the Champions League last night after a 2-1 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain which earned a 3-1 aggregate victory for the French giants, who set up a final against Inter Milan after winning an all-time classic against Barcelona in the other semi-final in Munich later this month.
Attention will turn to a strong end to the campaign for the Gunners, who still have some work to do to secure a place in the top four after just one win in five league games.
Things are looking much more promising for fellow English sides Tottenham and Manchester United in the Europa League though, with both looking to get the job done this evening against Bodo/Glimt and Athletic Bilbao dominant first-leg wins, with Chelsea 4-1 up in their Conference League semi-final tie with Djurgarden and also in action tonight.
Ladbrokes looks at the routes Premier League sides must take to reach the final.
Europa League: How Manchester United and Tottenham can reach the final
Tottenham
Semi-final vs Bodo/Glimt
- First leg (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium): Tottenham 3-1 Bodo/Glimt
- Second leg (Aspmyra Stadion): May 8
Spurs took a giant step towards the final in Bilbao with a 3-1 home win over Bodo/Glimt, though a late goal in North London means the tie is far from over when they head to Norway next week.
Success in the tournament could well determine Ange Postecoglou's future at the club, with goals from Brennan Johnson, James Maddison and Dominic Solanke ensuring the Australian's position is safe for the time being at least.
If Spurs make it through, then an all-English final against Man Utd is still on the cards with the lure of potential Champions League qualification a big draw for both of the Premier League strugglers.
Manchester United
Semi-final vs Athletic Bilbao
- First leg (Estadio San Mames): Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Manchester United
- Second leg (Old Trafford): May 8
Much like Tottenham, United's whole season rests on success in the Europa League and they have now leapfrogged Spurs as tournament favourites after an impressive 3-0 win at Bilbao.
Casemiro silenced the Basque crowd at San Mames before Bruno Fernandes took advantage of a red card for Dani Vivian by scoring two goals to put Ruben Amorim's side in control.
Barring any disasters back at Old Trafford, the Red Devils look a safe bet to secure a return to Bilbao for the final on May 21.
Conference League: Chelsea's route to the final
Semi-final vs Djurgarden
- First leg (3Arena): Djudarden 1-4 Chelsea
- Second leg (Stamford Bridge): May 8
Chelsea's status as overwhelming Conference League favourites remains in tact after a 4-1 victory over Swedish opponents Djurgarden away from home.
Goals from Jadon Sancho, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson double put the Blues four up before the hosts pulled one back, with Enzo Maresca's men looking extremely likely to get the job done at Stamford Bridge next week.
The other semi-final is finely poised after United loanee Antony's stunner secured a 2-1 home win for Real Betis against Fiorentina, with opponents looking potentially difficult for the Blues if they reach the final.
Despite being the favourites, Ladbrokes have looked at why Chelsea might not be the smart bet for the Conference League.
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