Europa League table as Man Utd and Tottenham tasks clear ahead of final fixtures
Manchester United and Tottenham both currently sit in the top eight of the Europa League standings but need positive results in their final matches to remain there
Manchester United and Tottenham both currently sit in the top eight of the Europa League standings but need positive results in their final matches to remain thereMan Utd's late winner has them well set in the Europa League standings (
Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
For Manchester United and Tottenham, their Europa League futures are simple - win and you're in.
Both Premier League sides are poised to make the knockout stages, advancing straight into the last 16 and dodging the play-off phase. In the new league phase the top eight teams dodge the precarious first knockout round.
United late's show on Thursday night saw them beat Rangers, courtesy of a Bruno Fernandes strike in stoppage time. It means they've now won four on the bounce in Europe, which is in great contrast to their league form, and is leaves them fourth in the group phase.
Their final game sees them take on Steaua Bucharest and a draw could be enough to take them through as a top eight side, depending on whether or not Galatasaray win by more than two goals.
A win though would guarantee them safe passage and they can still finish as high as second should results go their way.
Tottenham meanwhile ended their poor run of form with a nervy win in Hoffenheim, owing to two goals from Son Heung-min. Their final game sees them take on Elfsborg and a draw could be enough, but that would open the door for a lot of teams to leapfrog them into the top eight.
A win though would guarantee them a spot in the last 16, which would provide a much needed boost in what has been a difficult campaign for Ange Postecoglou and co.
Europa League table
1. Lazio - 19
2. Frankfurt - 16
3. Athletic Bilbao - 16
4. Man Utd - 15
5. Lyon - 14
6. Tottenham - 14
7. Anderlecht - 14
8. Steaua Bucharest - 14
___
9. Galatasaray - 13
10. Bodo/Glimt - 13
11. Viktoria Plzen - 12
12. Olympiacos - 12
13. Rangers - 11
14. AZ Alkmaar - 11
15. Union Saint-Gilloise - 11
16. Ajax - 10
___
17. PAOK - 10
18. Real Sociedad - 10
19. Midtjylland - 10
20. Elfsborg - 10
21. Roma - 9
22. Ferencvaros - 9
23. Fenerbahce - 9
24. Besiktas - 9
___
25. Porto - 8
26. Twente - 7
27. Braga - 7
28. Hoffenheim - 6
29. Maccabi Tel Aviv - 6
30. RFS - 5
31. Slavia Prague - 4
32. Malmo - 4
33. Ludogorets - 3
34. Qarabag - 3
35. Nice - 2
36. Dynamo Kyiv - 1
The Australian has copped plenty of criticism this term for sticking to his philosophy, even if it has cost his team, but defiantly claimed months ago that he always wins a trophy in his second season at a club. He still has Tottenham on course to do so, whilst they also remain in the Carabao Cup. It would also be Tottenham's first honour since 2008.
Lazio have set the pace in the Europa League and have won six of their seven games, drawing the other, and they are the only team guaranteed of a last 16 place with a game to spare.
The two teams below them - but above the Manchester outfit - are Frankfurt and Athletic Bilbao. The former have just lost their leading light Omar Marmoush, who has scored four times in the tournament, to Manchester City.
The South Korean helped Tottenham leave Germany with all three points
Those from Bilbao will be further motivated by a desire to play the final at their own venue with San Mames hosting the showpiece event come May 21. Spanish teams have dominated the Europa League - winning six of the last ten editions.
Rangers meanwhile are the other British hope but their ambitions took a hit on Thursday night, despite the Scots thinking they may have nicked a point when they levelled the game in the 88th minute. They look poised to qualify, but will have to go into the knockout play-offs. They play Union Saint-Gilloise in their final group match and a win, with other results going their way, could still see them make the top eight.
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