"Thursday night, Channel 5." That was the goading chant of West Ham fans, after their unlikely victory at White Hart Lane earlier this season. For many, the Europa League is an unwelcome distraction from the Premier League, for others it's an opportunity to see Spurs play teams like Benfica in a competition they may, one day, have a realistic chance of winning. Is there really such a huge difference between Thursday night and Sunday afternoon (the Europa League schedule), and Wednesday night and Saturday afternoon, the timing for many of the much coveted Champions League fixtures?
If you are one of those Spurs fans who are keen to see your team in the Europa League next year, then you may be confronted with a nightmare dilemma before the season is over. As Manchester United lurched from one tepid performance to another, sixth place seemed to be assured at the very least. If United can deliver the anticipated "new manager bounce," in the wake of Moyes' departure - even with a stand-in in charge, then that is far from guaranteed. United can catch Spurs if the London club fail to get seven points from their last three games.
If Arsenal finish fourth, the three Europa League places would then go to the teams in fifth and sixth places, plus Hull City as losing cup finalists.
If Everton pip Arsenal to the fourth Champion's League place, and United finish sixth there is only one way for Spurs to secure their place in the Europa League. Arsenal must beat Hull in the Cup Final.
So Spurs fans, if United do snatch sixth place, then you need Everton to get fourth and Arsenal to win the FA Cup. Or would you prefer to skip the Europa League next year?
