Spurs on verge of disaster should Man United beat them to sixth

Tottenham fans looking for a silver lining in losing heavily to yet another top-six rival will be relieved that such excruciating pain won’t cross them again this season. But that doesn’t mean it’s all good news for Spurs from here on out.

For the remainder of the campaign, Tim Sherwood won’t have to cross swords with an opposite number from the current top nine of the Premier League. But after another dispirited display against Liverpool, there’s still real danger of the season ending in calamity.

Following the 4-0 defeat at Anfield and Manchester United’s 4-1 toppling of Aston Villa, it is David Moyes’ club who look primed to nab sixth spot and contest next season’s Europa League, sitting just two points behind Sherwood’s side.

United are 19/20 to do just that, while Tottenham are more assured in the betting at 4/9. Where it really matters though is on the pitch and Spurs seem to lack the required fight needed to hold off a late push from an outfit with a point to prove.

Finishing outside of the European spots would be an absolute disaster for Daniel Levy’s club, with the bespectacled deal-maker likely to look at bringing in a new boss once the season concludes.

Should there be no European football to dangle in front of prospective bosses, Levy could find luring the likes of Louis Van Gaal to north London difficult.

A European sabbatical would naturally hinder Spurs’ pulling power in the transfer market, while many of their current number would likely look elsewhere to satisfy their Uefa pangs.

Hugo Lloris and Jan Vertonghen have already made murmurs about their uncertain future should a top-four finish evade the Lilywhites, so a complete lack of continental competition will surely tip them over the edge.

The likes of Kyle Walker, Sandro and Emmanuel Adebayor would all also attract interest from Europe’s elite, with Spurs unable to offer too much to convince them to stay put.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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