Manchester United vs Tottenham: Prediction, Team News, Odds

Manchester United vs Tottenham this match week is the game of the season for these teams, both with top-four aspirations. 

Manchester United needs to win it more than Spurs do, as in the event of a loss, the gap between them and Arsenal would be too large. Spurs need to win themselves to keep their momentum going after a big win against Everton and establish some consistency. 

Spurs and United Current Positions in Premier League Table

Manchester United (5th): Played 28, 47 points

Tottenham (7th): Played 26, 45 points

Antonio Conte’s side is currently in the more favorable position out of the two, as a win against United puts them one point in front of them with two fewer games played.

With less than a third of the Premier League season to play, a win for Tottenham could eliminate United from the top-four race.

Spurs Have Wing-Backs Figured Out

Conte has finally sorted out the wing-back situation at Tottenham, with Matt Doherty making the right side his own. He has scored one goal, gotten three assists, and created nine chances in Spurs’ last two Premier League games, which is such an improvement on Emerson Royal.

Matt Doherty scoring against Leeds.

The left-wing-back position was previously being occupied by Ryan Sessegnon, who kept his place in the team after Sergio Reguilon returned from COVID, but the former will play against United after Sessegnon’s hamstring injury.

A back three of Ben Davies, Eric Dier, and Cristian Romero have been extremely solid and their composure on the ball has often launched Spurs into counter-attacks that we will see against United’s slow defense.

Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg looked more comfortable next to Rodrigo Bentancur against the Toffees, and that pivot can be expected against United. 

Finally, an attacking trio of Son Heung-min, Harry Kane, and Dejan Kulusevski has been electric since defeating Manchester City, and we can expect them to be ready to pounce on United’s struggling defense.

Spurs’ will still be without two of their academy products, Oliver Skipp and Japhet Tanganga, as they both continue to work back to full fitness.

The Red Devils Are Bleeding

Manchester United have been remarkably poor recently, and we saw their issues highlighted against their Manchester rivals last weekend.

Their attack is weak, their defense is shambolic, and key players are currently not firing or are nursing injuries.

Cristiano Ronaldo has picked up a hip injury, joining Edinson Cavani, Luke Shaw, and Raphael Varane on United’s injury list, so United will continue to field an average side unless players return.

Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof put on a horrific display against Manchester City, and this is likely the duo that we will see against Tottenham. Varane has a chance to play and if he is healthy, he slots right in.

Harry Maguire has not been leading by example.

In attack, I’m expecting Marcus Rashford to lead a line of Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, and Jadon Sancho, as United have lacked the presence of a lethal finisher recently. 

With Ronaldo sidelined and Cavani not at 100 percent, Rashford needs to step up and put an end to his poor form. If he doesn’t, Ralf Rangnick’s side will continue to struggle.

Prediction: Spurs Win 3-1

Manchester United are so shaky right now, and I believe the pace of Spurs’ play will be too much for them to contain.

Little bits of Antonio Conte’s system are being implemented every day at Tottenham, and nine goals in two Premier League games proves that. 

Harry Kane is playing some of the best football we have seen from him in a while. Maguire must be dreading this face-off with his England teammate and fellow Harry. Since he may not have Raphael Varane by his side, I fear for him and the rest of the Manchester United squad.

I think Son and Kane will both score in this contest as well.

Betting Odds

Manchester United: +115

Draw: +260

Tottenham Hotspur: +250

Total Goals Over/Under

Over 2.5 goals: -135

Under 2.5 goals: +110

Three First Goalscorer Props to Look At

Harry Kane (+450)

Son Heung-Min (+500)

Marcus Rashford (+450)