Manchester United v Spurs Tips: Red Devils can secure vital win

Manchester United host Tottenham in the most eyecatching Premier League match during this week. Who will come out on top? Football expert Robin Bairner tells all.

Jostling for position

Manchester United currently sit fifth in the table and need a form boost if they are to make the top four in Erik ten Hag’s first season as manager. They are currently seven points behind Antonio Conte’s third-placed Spurs, who seek pivotal points as they look to assert themselves in the Champions League spots. 

Spurs have won their last three fixtures in all competitions, which include back-to-back league wins over Brighton and Everton, both of which were achieved with a clean sheet. Their only league defeat so far this term came away against London rivals Arsenal on October 1, but this trip to Old Trafford is undoubtedly a major test.

Eyes on top four

Erik ten Hag might have overcome the most difficult period of his first season at Manchester United, but there is little doubt that his side is still some way from being as competitive as they would wish. They are already 11 points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, albeit with a game in hand, and sit three points back from fourth-placed Chelsea.

Their limitations were shown in a 0-0 draw against Newcastle at the weekend in a match largely bereft of chances. However, United have a strong record against Spurs and have won each of their last three games in this rivalry, scoring three times in each fixture. 

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Of course, prior to that run, they were famously dismantled 6-1 at home by Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son, so the danger of the visiting team will be well known.

Title dark horses

Tottenham are still very much in the fight for the Premier League title. They are level on points with Manchester City, and trail Arsenal by four, after the first ten matches and seem to be flying under the radar.

Conte, though, has carried with him a reputation for struggling in midweek matches. Spurs’ only previous Wednesday league fixture this season ended with a 1-1 draw at West Ham, while their European form has hardly sparkled. 

Nevertheless, this is a side that has lost just one of their last 16 Premier League matches and have kept a clean sheet in half of them.

Ten Hag to earn his Spurs

Manchester United have reserved their best form this season for the biggest home games. They have already beaten Liverpool and Arsenal at Old Trafford this season, and, while they have a string of injuries, their key frontline players should be available for this game.

The head-to-head matchup points to United having a successful evening. This is allied to Spurs winning just one of their last 16 away games against the Premier League’s ever-present sides, and the fact that the Red Devils have won a greater percentage of their Wednesday matches in the competition (61.5%) than any other team in the competition.

Seven of the last nine meetings between this pair have produced more than 2.5 goals, but Man Utd’s 0-0 draw at the weekend plus Conte’s circumspect approach suggests there is no guarantee of a high-scoring event here. Under 2.5 goals is available at 2.14.

Another market worth consideration is over 3.5 cards. Man United are picking up more bookings per game (three) than any other club in the league this season, while Spurs are averaging more than two cards per match. The price of 2.14 for more than 3.5 cards to be shown is, therefore, pretty attractive. 

Referee Simon Hooper has only shown four yellows in one of his six Premier League fixtures this season, but he has shown three cards on a trio of occasions, suggesting this could be good value in what will surely be a hard-fought affair. 

Manchester United v Spurs Predictions

Back Manchester United to win @ 2.52
Back Over 3.5 bookings @ 2.14