Premier League: Tottenham v Manchester United match preview
A look ahead to this Saturday’s Premier League match at White Hart Lane
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Your support makes all the difference.Tottenham seek their first league double over Manchester United since 1989-90, but United are 10 matches unbeaten in the Premier League, with nine of those wins. That form has much to do with Robin van Persie, who has scored nine goals in his last 10 appearances.
Their defence has also improved, from the shambles that was their 3-2 defeat to Tottenham at Old Trafford. However, as Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge demonstrated last weekend, it is a defence which remains erratic under pressure.
Tottenham have the players to exploit that weakness, but they must be more effective that they were in their 0-0 draw with QPR a week ago. That result ended a run of four straight wins that saw them rise to fourth in the league, the position they still occupy.
Scott Parker is likely to come into the Tottenham side to replace Sandro, the Brazilian being ruled out for the rest of the season. Goalscoring duties once again fall to Jermain Defoe, with Emmanuel Adebayor at the African Cup of Nations, although he has not scored since Boxing Day and only once in his last seven matches.
For United, Wayne Rooney made his return from injury against West Ham, scoring the winning goal but also missing a penalty. Sir Alex Ferguson has four strikers fit and in contention to play, so Rooney must show he deserves a place in the side ahead of Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck.
Jonny Evans and Ashley Young remain absent, so Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic look set to continue in central defence and Nani may start.
KICK-OFF: Sunday, 4pm
PAST THREE MEETINGS...
Manchester United 2 (Nani, Kagawa) Tottenham 3 (Evans OG, Bale, Dempsey), Premier League, September 2012
Tottenham 1 (Defoe) Manchester United 3 (Rooney, Young 2), Premier League, March 2012
Manchester United 3 (Welbeck, Anderson, Rooney) Tottenham 0, Premier League, August 2011
STATS…
Manchester United’s last loss at White Hart Lane was on 19 May 2001, Willem Korsten scoring two for Tottenham in a 3-1 victory.
Tottenham have conceded just seven first-half goals this season, the fewest in the Premier League this season.
Robin van Persie scored five goals against Tottenham for Arsenal.
Ryan Giggs, who impressed against West Ham, could make his 650 league appearance.
ODDS…
Tottenham to win: 3.0
Manchester United to win: 2.54
Draw: 3.6
TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 4pm, highlights on BBC1 at 10.25pm.
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