The Friends Arena in Stockholm will host the 2017 Europa League final on May 24, with 20-time English champions Manchester United taking on Dutch giants Ajax in what promises to be a fascinating clash in Sweden.
As well as European silverware being on offer, the winner of the final will gain an automatic spot in the group stage of the 2017-18 Champions League.
Ajax
© Getty Images
The Europa League final will be played 22 years to the day since Ajax claimed their last European trophy – overcoming AC Milan in the 1995 Champions League final. The Dutch giants also reached the final of the 1996 Champions League, but lost on penalties to Juventus.
It is the 15th time that Ajax have been present in the final of a UEFA competition – winning 10 of their previous 14 – but it is their first since 1996, with this young, vibrant team threatening to take the club back to its glory days.
Ajax have, without question, brought the entertainment factor to the Europa League this season. They have had more attempts on goal (225) and more attempts on target (95) than any other team in this season's competition, outscoring Man United 24-23 en route to the showpiece final.
It is the first time since 2002 that a Dutch club have reached the final of this particular competition (Feyenoord), but Ajax have actually lost three of their last six matches in the Europa League, which makes their presence in the conclusion of the tournament even more incredible.
They overcame Legia Warsaw and Copenhagen to reach the quarter-finals, before beating Schalke 04 4-3 on aggregate to set up a semi-final with Lyon.
Ajax recorded an incredible 4-1 victory in the first leg of their semi-final in Amsterdam, and despite losing 3-1 at Lyon in the return, managed to squeeze into the final of the competition by the narrowest of margins.
The Dutch outfit are actually without a victory in their last six European games away from the Amsterdam ArenA, and their results in this competition, especially in the knockout round, have been difficult to predict.
They finished one point behind winners Feyenoord at the top of the Eredivisie this season, but the signs are positive for the future, with a number of impressive youngsters starting to flourish for the famous European outfit.
Seeking their first continental silverware in 22 years, Ajax are the underdogs entering this week's clash in Sweden, but it could well be the start of something extremely special for this talented group of youngsters.
Recent form: LWWLWL
Recent form (all competitions): LLWWLW
Manchester United
© SilverHub
It would be fair to say that the Europa League was an inconvenience for Man United and head coach Jose Mourinho earlier this season, but the competition has become imperative as the club look to return to the Champions League.
The Red Devils ultimately finished seven points shy of the top four in the Premier League this season, with a total of 69 points only good enough for sixth position. The Community Shield and League Cup have been added to the trophy cabinet, but this is comfortably Man United's biggest game of the season.
While the chance to secure a European trophy is always important, it is the offer of Champions League football that has drawn the most attention. It is almost a playoff fixture for Man United – win and a return to the European elite will arrive.
Mourinho's first season at Man United has not been without its bumps and bruises, but the team's form in the Europa League has been strong. Indeed, they are unbeaten in 10 European fixtures – winning seven times in the process – since losing 2-1 at Fenerbahce in the group stages of the competition.
Man United have actually only won six of their previous 11 European finals, and have lost their last three. This is the only European trophy that the 20-time English champions are yet to win, and they will be looking to join Ajax, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Juventus in completing a full set of major UEFA club trophies.
Mourinho also has plenty of experience taking on Ajax, and the Portuguese has won all six of his previous meetings with the Dutch giants, boasting an aggregate score of 20-2. The former Chelsea boss has also previously tasted success in this competition having steered Porto to the crown in 2003.
After progressing through the group stages, Man United overcame Saint-Etienne and Rostov to set up a quarter-final with Anderlecht. The English giants needed extra time to overcome the Belgian club, but Marcus Rashford struck the winner to secure a 3-2 aggregate success.
When Man United won 1-0 at Celta Vigo in the first leg of their semi-final, the Red Devils seemingly had one foot in the final. They made hard work of the return, however, with Celta levelling at 1-1 late on to set up a grandstand finish at Old Trafford.
As it transpired, a 1-1 draw in the second leg was enough to progress on aggregate, but Man United's form has suffered in recent weeks. Indeed, their 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at the weekend was their first victory in the Premier League for almost one month.
It has been a strange first season for Mourinho at Old Trafford, but leading the club back into the Champions League would certainly make up for a disappointing Premier League campaign. The Portuguese has rested a number of his first-team stars in recent weeks ahead of the Europa League final, and he will be hoping that their freshness plays a key role in Sweden.
Recent form: DWDWWD
Recent form (all competitions): WLDLDW
Team News
© SilverHub
Ajax will be without experienced Dutch defender Nick Viergever, who picked up a red card in the second leg of their semi-final with Lyon in France. As a result, Kenny Tete is expected to be given the nod at full-back.
Head coach Peter Bosz has no fresh injury concerns entering the match, however, meaning that in-demand Kasper Dolberg should continue in the final third with support from on-loan Chelsea forward Bertrand Traore and Amin Younes.
Justin Kluivert, the son of former Netherlands striker Patrick Kluivert, should start on the bench for the Dutch giants.
As for Man United, Mourinho will be without the services of Eric Bailly, who picked up a red card in the second leg of their semi-final with Celta Vigo.
Chris Smalling could also miss out due to "a small problem", meaning that Phil Jones is expected to partner Daley Blind at the heart of the defence, with Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian operating in the full-back positions.
Marouane Fellaini remains a doubt after picking up a muscular problem against Southampton last week, although it appears likely that the Belgian will be fit to start alongside Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba in central midfield.
Rashford will lead the line with support from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, while Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial are battling for the third position in attack.
Sergio Romero will keep his place between the sticks, and the possible omission of David de Gea from the matchday squad could signal the end of the Spaniard's career at Old Trafford as Real Madrid circle once again.
Ajax possible starting lineup:
Onana; Tete, De Ligt, Sanchez, Veltman; Klaassen, Schone, Ziyech; Traore, Dolberg, Younes
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Romero; Valencia, Blind, Jones, Darmian; Herrera, Fellaini, Pogba; Lingard, Rashford, Mkhitaryan
Head To Head
Wednesday will bring the fifth European meeting between Ajax and Man United, with both teams winning two of the previous four fixtures.
Their first two clashes occurred in the 1976 UEFA Cup, with Man United progressing to the second round courtesy of a 2-1 aggregate victory – winning 2-0 in Manchester after losing the first leg in Amsterdam.
Their most recent meetings came in the last-32 stage of the 2011-12 Europa League, and again it was Man United that progressed.
The Red Devils actually lost the second leg 2-1 at Old Trafford, but a 2-0 victory in the first match saw the English giants advance to the round of 16.
We say: Ajax 1-2 Manchester United
It is always difficult to predict what will occur in a European final, and it would not be a surprise to see this one go all the way to penalties. We just fancy Man United to have enough over the 90 minutes, however, and are backing the English giants to secure a return to the Champions League with a narrow success.
Matt Law
