Sneaky
The most exciting thing at Stamford Bridge has been the fans.
It's been reported that a lot of Djurgarden fans have brought tickets in the Chelsea end for this evening's game.
And they've all jumped over the barriers to join the away end!
The Swedish fans will be enjoying themselves in London tonight.
Their side have had a couple of chances so far, but Chelsea remain 4-1 up on aggregate and cruising.
Double boost
As Athletic Bilbao are without the Williams brothers tonight, their task of scoring four goals gets even harder.
Nico and Inaki are major threats out wide for the Spaniards, but both of them are sidelined through injury at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim was asked about the boost that could give his Man United team for this huge game.
He told TNT Sports: "I think it is always hard. I don't want my team thinking about that.
"They are two players scoring and assisting in many games for the opponent, we know that. But we don't care who is on the pitch.
"We have to understand the new players in their positions, of course, but we focus on ourselves."
Team news!
The teams are in for tonight's Europa League semi-finals!
Man United have named an unchanged side from their first leg win against Athletic Bilbao.
Victor Lindelof is part of the back three while Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte continue in the centre of midfield.
Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho are in behind Rasmus Hojlund, with Amad Diallo on the bench.
As for Bilbao, they are without Nico and Inaki Williams in a huge blow.
The Spaniards are also forced into a change at the back as the suspended Daniel Vivian comes out for Unai Nunez.
Andoni Gorosabel starts over Oscar De Marcos at right back.
Man United XI: Onana, Lindelof, Maguire, Yoro, Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu, Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund.
Subs: Bayindir, Heaton, Amass, Fredricson, Kamason, Shaw, Eriksen, Mainoo, Amad, Mantato.
Athletic Bilbao XI: Agirrezabala, Gorosabel, Alvarez, Nunez, Yuri, De Galarreta, Jaureguizar, Djalo, Berengeur, Gomez, Sannadi.
Subs: Simon, Paredes, Vesga, Guruzeta, Lekue, De Marcos, Prados, Canales, Boiro, Olabarrieta, Rego, Varela.
For Tottenham against Bodo/Glimt, James Maddison is out injured so Dejan Kulusevski starts in midfield.
That's the only change made to Spurs' team from the first leg.
Richarlison continues in a wider role along with Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke in the forward line.
Mathys Tel will be a threat off the bench.
As for Bodo/Glimt, they have Patrick Berg and Hakon Evjen back from suspension and they both start.
Bodo/Glimt XI: Haikin, Gunderson, Berge, Hogh, Blomberg, Saltnes, Bjorkan, Moe, Sjovold, Hauge, Evjen.
Subs: Lund, Nielsen, Auklend, Fet, Helmersen, Maatta, Soril, Hansen, Jensen.
Tottenham XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Bentancur, Bissouma, Kulusevski, Johnson, Richarlison, Solanke.
Subs: Austin, Whiteman, Danos, Spence, Davies, Sarr, Oluesi, Ajayi, Odobert, Gray, Moore, Tel.
'One last push'
Ruben Amorim has issued a final message to the Man United fanbase ahead of their Europa League semi-final second leg.
United are 3-0 up heading into tonight's game against Athletic Bilbao and they have one foot in the final.
However, Amorim was keen to point out that the job isn't done and called for 'one last push' from the players and fans.
He wrote on the club's website: "Tonight, we have a job to finish.
"Of course, I was happy with the result, and many aspects of our performance, in Bilbao a week ago – but we must all remember that we are only halfway through this tie.
"As we welcome Ernesto Valverde and Athletic Club to Old Trafford, there is still a lot of hard work for us to do if we are to reach the UEFA Europa League final.
"Athletic Club are a very good team, and they caused us problems in the opening stages in San Mames, so we cannot just assume the game will go the same way it did last Thursday. We will need total focus and effort to keep control of the game, and the tie.
"It is a boost to be playing the second leg at home because we know what a special place Old Trafford can be on European nights, as we saw in the quarter-final against Lyon last month, when the fans helped us get over the line.
"The support we have received throughout such a difficult season has been incredible and we want to reward our fans by winning the UEFA Europa League.
"But, before we even think about that, we have to reach the final, and we cannot take anything for granted until that task is complete.
"So, let’s all pull together tonight for one last push to secure our place back in Bilbao."
Youri joking...
Aston Villa have been dealt a huge blow to their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
Youri Tielemans could miss the rest of the season after picking up a muscle injury, according to The Athletic.
The 28-year-old is yet to miss a single Premier League game this campaign, but now he's set to be sidelined.
Tielemans will sit out of Villa's clash against Bournemouth this weekend and potentially games against Spurs and Man United.
There is said to be a chance that he's fit to face United on the final day, however, it is believed to be only a small hope.
The Belgian has been a key player for Unai Emery's side all season, starting 52 of 54 matches in all competitions.
To now be without him for the tense season run-in as Villa push for a place in the Champions League would be a massive blow.
They currently sit seventh in the Premier League, three points behind Chelsea, who occupy the fifth and final UCL spot.
No excuses
Spurs hold a 3-1 lead heading into their monumental Europa League semi-final second leg this evening.
But nerves will be there and even more so when considering the plastic pitch that Bodo/Glimt play on.
Ange Postecoglou's side are going to have to play on an unfamiliar surface and that could make a big difference.
Speaking about the surface, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario admitted he was wary about it but that it's not an excuse.
He said: "We knew about it before coming in.
"Many teams have played here, so nothing has worried us about the surface. You cannot change the condition of the pitch - it is just about how quickly you adapt.
"I don't have a lot of experience on [artificial surfaces], but it's fine. We will be ready."
Roll out the red carpet
Ian Wright has defended Trent Alexander-Arnold's decision to leave Liverpool and join Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Roy Keane said on Stick to Football: "Is it more that he's a local lad, he's a Scouser, is that more so than his footballing decision? You can't begrudge him the move. It's an amazing move for him."
Ian Wright added: "Did you see his statement? It was beautiful, he spoke with such eloquence simply because he's come to a point where it's not about them being better, it's just on his journey.
"It's just the next step. Honestly, I'm delighted for him. Roy, I remember you saying, if you could think back, if you had the chance, if that opportunity came would I take it? I cannot understand that people are not excited about the fact he's won everything he can win there, and now he's going to arguably one of the best in the world."
Wright continued: "It's like people can't be happy for the fact that he's come from here and he's going there."
Not in the same league
Gabby Abonlahor made a point about Celtic's European ambitions when discussing Rangers' success in the Europa League this season.
The Light Blues made it to the quarter-finals of the competition before being eliminated by Athletic Bilbao.
However, the Gers will get another shot to go deep in UEFA's second tournament next year after finishing second in the SPL.
Celtic, meanwhile, haven't reached the knockout stages of the Champions League proper for 13 years despite their domestic dominance.
The Hoops crashed out of Europe's elite in the playoffs to Bayern Munich, with drop-downs into the Europa League no longer allowed.
“If it’s Man United or Spurs, are they better equipped for the Champions League than Celtic next season?”, Alan Brazil told talkSPORT
“Do you think Celtic would have been more equipped for a Europa League run like Rangers have been? Celtic would get to a semi-final of the Europa League”, Gabby stated, to which Brazil replied, “Yes.”
“Look at the great runs Rangers have had in recent years in the Europa League, imagine what Celtic would do in that competition.”
Paq it in
Lucas Paqueta's legal team has been blamed for the stress caused by the lack of clarity surrounding the Brazilian's ongoing case.
The West Ham star is under investigation for 'spot-fixing', having been alleged to have deliberately picked up four bookings for financial gain.
The Hammers midfielder is awaiting trial, with the case rumbling on at the London Stadium for nearly two years.
A lifetime ban from football if found guilty has been touted as a potential punishment, which appears to be impacting Paqueta.
The 27-year-old succumbed to tears after he was shown a yellow card during the 1-1 draw with Tottenham on Sunday.
Speaking on White & Jordan, talkSPORT host Jim White said: “When you think of it, a year on [from his FA charge] and nothing’s happened.”
Simon Jordan responded: “You have to ask yourself why? What is taking the time? Is it the investigation or is it the legal construct of his defence that’s being put forward, and a variety of objections that might be coming from the defensive side of things?
“I would assume that they must have compelling evidence to bring such a charge, it can’t be on the basis of hearsay. If there was no substance to this, there must be a mechanism where Paqueta’s legal team could have cut through and said, ‘You’ve got no basis for this. You’ve got no substance behind this. This isn’t even grounded in anything that vaguely resembles a meaningful set of observations.’
“I don’t understand if I’m Paqueta and I’ve got all the resources that I’ve got, plus a football club that will support me economically, why I’m not dragging these people kicking and screaming to the first available date to concentrate their minds on the reality of the ramifications of what’s happening to my career.”
White questioned, “So you’re saying Paqueta’s legal team have to get this going?”
Jordan snapped back, adding: “I’m saying that there must be a reason why these two years of torment, as people refer to them, have been allowed to drag on.
“Why is it taking so long? If Paqueta is innocent, then you would like to think he’d be on the front foot, screaming and shouting via his legal representation.”
Spend it like Beckham
David Beckham and Gary Neville completed the takeover of League Two side Salford City.
The former Manchester United teammates have done so with a new consortium committed to infusing significant funds into Salford.
They were already co-owners of the club alongside ex-Man United teammates.
Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt have now relinquished their stakes but will continue to hold positions at Salford.
Following the 2024 departure of majority shareholder Peter Lim, Beckham and Neville sought investment partners that would bring success to Moor Lane.
Founder of advisory firm Consello, Declan Kelly, and chairman of the Lawn Tennis Association, Lord Mervyn Davies, have now teamed up with the ex-professionals.
The Athletic reported that it is believed around $15-20 million has been raised to boost Salford’s ‘sporting and infrastructural ambitions’ over the next five years.