Tottenham’s chances fade as United find league form

Paul Sorene

19th, January 2013

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United

English Premier League
White Hart Lane, London
Sunday 20 January, 2013
16:00 GMT

Manchester United face one of their most difficult challenges of the season when they travel to Spurs this weekend. Spurs will be looking for an historic double over United having won the fixture at Old Trafford 3-2.

Tottenham Hotspur Preview
Tottenham have been very good at home this season only losing two games and taking points from their other nine fixtures. Defensively they have been very solid with only 11 goals conceded but it’s the goals for tally which Andre Villas-Boas will want to improve quickly.

Injuries and Suspensions

Spurs are missing striker Emmanuel Adebayor who is away at the Africa Cup of Nations. Younes Kaboul remains out of action with a knee injury and William Gallas is unlikely to play with a calf problem. Sandro is out with a knee problem, which he has just undergone surgery for.

You can get 2/1 from online bookmakers Ladbrokes on Spurs winning at home against United for the first time in over ten years.

Manchester United Preview

United go into this game having just done the double on arch enemies Liverpool. Their away record this season has been superb with eight wins, one draw and just two defeats. No side has scored more away from home with 26 goals but the fact they’ve conceded 15 shows that Spurs will get a chance in the match.

Injuries and Suspensions

Jonny Evans is unlikely to start in this game as he has a hamstring problem which may confine him to the subs bench. Ashley Young was taken off at half-time during the win over Liverpool with a knee problem and he’s 50/50 for the match. Darren Fletcher is out for the rest of the season as he needs surgery to resolve a bowel condition.

Manchester United are 5/4 for a win, which is more a case of the bookmakers favouring United’s ability to win games as opposed to any real superiority in form by the Manchester club.

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United Statistics
Spurs have been a little inconsistent so far this season but their win rate is good which puts them in pole position to finish fourth in the league. In total they have won 12 games, drawn four and lost six. They haven’t struggled to score goals with 39 leading to a goal difference of plus 12.

United sit top of the table with a clear lead of seven points. They have staggering 18 wins, one draw and three defeats from matches so far. No side has scored more goals with a current tally of 56 but it’s the goals conceded, 29, which will worry Sir Alex Ferguson the most.

Head to Head

The head to head record between the sides in London is actually quite close. Spurs have won 31 of the meetings against United’s 25 and 29 of the matches have all ended in draws. United ran out 3-1 winners and the last time Spurs won at home against United was in the 2000/2001 season with a 3-1 win.

Recent Form
Spurs have a win and a draw from the two matches they’ve played so far in January, conceding just a single goal. December was a very good month for the club with four wins, a draw and a defeat from the six league games played.

United have won both of their league games in January so far with six goals scored and one conceded. They were also superb throughout December with the only points dropped in the 1-1 draw away at Swansea. December includes a win away at Manchester City.

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United Prediction
United are not having any problems scoring goals this season which makes it likely that they will register on the score sheet. Their recent record at White Hart Lane is superb and considering the injuries to key Spurs defenders, United should just steal it. Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Manchester United.

A 2-1 away win for United is 8/1, which may well be worth a punt given Robin van Persie’s knack of scoring vital goals.

Posted in Betting & predictions

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