Premier League: Old Trafford set to Host Classic Match-Up

Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur

A Premier League encounter between these two clubs is almost always very easy on the eye and, despite both teams encountering difficulties with personnel this term, I expect nothing different.

Sunday’s meeting at Old Trafford is one the home side desperately need to win given they lie in eighth place and eight points behind the visitors in fourth spot.

And with Champions League football a key aim for both Manchester United and Spurs, that in itself should make this compelling with potential for plenty of Premier League highlights.

Talking Points

Both sides have missed key personnel for much of the campaign.

United have been hit by injuries from only the second week of the season and, during their FA Cup success at Wigan on Monday night, no fewer than 12 players were absent.

With the exception being the out of favour Jadon Sancho, who has now rejoined Borussia Dortmund on loan until the end of the season, all the others have been injured and, in a few cases, unwell.

Any side would miss the likes of Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, former Tottenham favourite Christian Eriksen, Luke Shaw et al and there is a chance the latter two could be back in the squad for Sunday afternoon’s match, alongside Harry Maguire and, possibly Antony and Anthony Martial.

Whether goalkeeper Andre Onana figures, or whether he will have departed for the African Cup of Nations by then, remains to be seen but, if he has joined his Cameroon international team-mates by then, Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayindir – signed from Fenerbahce in September but yet to start – could be in line for his debut.

Spurs were going great guns until early November when a reverse by Chelsea was far more damaging than they would have ever envisaged.

A combination of injuries and suspensions picked up in that game left them instantly stretched and, after being top of the table and unbeaten, they promptly lost three successive league games.

With some still absent and others on AFCON duty and the Asian Cup, including captain Son Heung-Min, the club has acted quickly to support manager Ange Postecoglou this week.

After bringing in Germany and ex-Chelsea forward Timo Werner on loan from RB Leipzig for the second half of the season, the North Londoners have also signed Romania defender Radu Dragusin from Italian side Genoa.

Dragusin, 21, is a Romanian international with 13 senior caps and has started all 22 of Serie A side Genoa’s matches this term.

It’s reported that club stalwart Eric Dier is on his way to Bayern Munich, ironic given Bayern were also said to be interested in Dragusin who has penned a deal that keeps him with Tottenham until the summer of 2030.

He began his career at Juventus in 2018 at a time when Fabio Paratici was prominent at the Serie A club and spent time on loan with Genoa before making a permanent move last summer (Paratici continues to work in a consultancy role at Spurs).

Dragusin had loan spells at Sampdoria and Salernitana and was outstanding for Genoa as they were promoted from Serie B and has continued to impress in the Italian top flight this season.

Spurs defender Djed Spence has joined Genoa on loan for the rest of the campaign as part of the deal.

Werner and Dragusin will surely feature in the squad and, although unlikely, it’s not inconceivable Sergio Reguilon could be on the Spurs bench this weekend.

He has just returned to the club after four months on loan at United as cover.

History

United have beaten Spurs 96 times in history with the North Londoners triumphing on 54 occasions, while there have been 50 draws.

Last season’s meetings were entertaining.

Goals from Fred and Bruno Fernandes sealed victory in the corresponding fixture at Old Trafford,

The return in North London saw United open up a 2-0 lead through Sancho and Marcus Rashford before Pedro Porro and Son rescued a point for the hosts.

Spurs also beat United at home for the first time in five years on the second weekend of the season when Pape Sarr and an own goal secured a 2-0 success.

Betting Tip

United have the edge with the SBOTOP Premier League betting odds, priced 1X2 @ 2.23 and Asian Handicap -0.50, also @ 2.23.

Spurs are on offer 1X2 @ 2.75 and Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.31.

The draw will give you a pay day of @ 3.46, while a repeat of last season’s 2-0 United victory is available @ 14.00 with Correct Score.

The way these sides traditionally play means there has often been a fair few goals and that is reflected in odds of over 3.50 @ 2.25, total goal 4-6 @ 2.47, 2-3 @ 2.14 and 0-1 @ 5.10.

 

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