Tottenham faces slim Europa League title hopes as Son's future remains uncertain

An analysis shows that Tottenham's probability of winning the UEFA Europa League (UEL) is 17%.

The football content platform 'Score 90' announced the rankings of UEL title contenders based on the probabilities from bookmakers on the 17th (Korea time). The team rated with the highest winning possibility is Spain's Athletic Club, which has a 20% chance of winning after its dramatic comeback victory against AS Roma in the Round of 16. Facing Rangers in the quarterfinals is also a positive factor.

Manchester United ranked second with a 19% probability. Although the team is struggling this season in the Premier League, it proved its competitiveness in the Europa League by defeating Real Sociedad in the Round of 16. Manchester United will face Olympique Lyon in the quarterfinals.

Lazio and Tottenham both recorded a 17% probability, placing them in a tie for third. Eintracht Frankfurt, which will face Tottenham in the quarterfinals, ranked fifth with an 11% probability.

The Europa League is the only remaining hope for Tottenham to win this season. In the Premier League, Tottenham has already fallen behind in the competition for the top positions, and they have been eliminated from both the League Cup (Carabao Cup) and the FA Cup. Essentially, winning the UEL is the only way to qualify for next season's European competitions.

The performance in the Premier League is at a serious level. Tottenham has not recorded a victory in the last three matches, managing only 1 draw and 2 losses. Currently, they remain in 14th place with 34 points (10 wins, 4 draws, 15 losses). The gap with the relegation zone is not significant. They have the same points as West Ham and Everton, but hold the advantage in goal difference. Tottenham has faced 15 losses in 29 league matches this season, setting a record for the most losses since the 2008-2009 season.

Tottenham's remaining schedule is also challenging. Matches against strong teams such as Chelsea, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Brighton, and Crystal Palace await. Fans are watching the remainder of the season with concern.

The outlook for the Europa League is also not bright. Football expert Jamie O'Hara, a former Tottenham player, noted, "Tottenham's performance has been inconsistent throughout this season. Frankfurt is a strong team, and if Tottenham is eliminated, it is highly likely that they will part ways with Manager Ange Postecoglou." In fact, Tottenham is already seeking a successor to Postecoglou. The British newspaper 'The Telegraph' reported that if Tottenham were to dismiss Postecoglou, Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth manager) and Marco Silva (Fulham manager) are potential candidates.

As pressure mounts on Manager Postecoglou, the Europa League is expected to be a crucial variable in determining his future. Reports stated, "Winning the UEL is the last chance to save Tottenham's season, as it is not just about the trophy but also a ticket to the UEFA Champions League (UCL)."

Tottenham fans are already expressing strong dissatisfaction, saying, "Postecoglou should be dismissed."

Meanwhile, the AI chatbot 'ChatGPT' predicted that Tottenham would win the Europa League. According to 'Score 90', ChatGPT anticipated that Tottenham and Real Sociedad would face each other in the final after the Round of 16 first leg, with Son Heung-min scoring the decisive goal for a dramatic victory. However, Sociedad was eliminated after losing to Manchester United, rendering ChatGPT's prediction inaccurate.

If Tottenham reaches the top of the Europa League, Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham) will experience his first major tournament victory during his 10 years with the club. His only title in his career is the gold medal from the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games. Tottenham has also not lifted a trophy since their League Cup victory in 2008, marking 17 years without silverware. It remains to be seen whether this Europa League could be a historic moment for both Tottenham and Son Heung-min.

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