The Hoddle of Coffee: Tottenham Hotspur news and links for Friday, May 21

Hello, all!

Ready for one final round of torture this weekend? (Is that too negative?)

Ramble of the Day

Despite the feeling that Tottenham have messed just about everything up this season, there is still something worth playing for on Sunday: a spot in the Europa League. Spurs’ sole competitor for the sixth place spot, which guarantees a place in the Europa League group stage, are West Ham and Everton. West Ham have 62 points and a +12 goal difference as things stand; Spurs have 59 points and a +21 goal difference; Everton have 59 points and a +4 goal difference.

To qualify for the Europa League: Tottenham must beat Leicester; West Ham must lose to Southampton; Everton cannot beat Manchester City while overcoming the goal difference gap between them and Tottenham

I think the Everton scenario is avoidable, but that Tottenham beating Leicester? I think it’ll require some luck.

To qualify for the Conference League playoff round: Tottenham must match Everton’s result or do better; Should Tottenham can and Everton lose, Everton cannot overcome the goal difference gap; West Ham must do better than both Tottenham and Everton

Again, the Everton thing seems unlikely. The rest of it, though, seems like one of the more likely scenarios for Spurs on Sunday.

To miss out on Europe entirely: Everton and West Ham must do better, results-wise, than Tottenham

For me, this feels like something only Manchester City can decide.

If you’re interested, there is a bonus thing to watch for on Sunday: whether or not Tottenham finish above Arsenal this season. As you know, Spurs have 59 points and a +21 goal difference, while Arsenal have 58 points and a +14 goal difference.

For Tottenham to finish above Arsenal: Tottenham need to equal or better Arsenal’s result against Brighton

Think of it as a job audition, Graham Potter!

tl;dr: Here are some things to watch for on Sunday, because there are somehow still things for Spurs to play for.

Stay informed, read this: Kelsey McKinney on sexual misconduct at Baylor University as a trial begins on whether or not the school did enough to stop abuse on campus for Defector

Links of the Day

Seven medical professionals were charged with homicide in the death of Diego Maradona.

Portland Thorns manager Mark Parsons will become the Netherlands manager at the end of the 2021 NWSL season.

Liverpool will create a supporters board ahead of the 2021-22 season.

Angel City hired Eniola Aluko as the club’s first sporting director.

Aston Villa hired Carla Ward as the team’s new manager.

Galatasaray’s DeAndre Yedlin bought an ownership stake in the USL Championship’s San Diego Loyal.

A longer read: Tariq Panja on FIFA’s knowledge of the European Super League, which the governing body kept secret for The New York Times