The pick of the bunch in round 29 of the 2021-22 Premier League fixtures sees Tottenham visit Old Trafford on Saturday to lock horns against Manchester United.
Both teams have ground to make up in the race for Champions League qualification and a victory here would be a step in the right direction.
Last month Tottenham blog Spurs For Life emphasised the importance of key fixtures in March which could define Spurs’ season. Win at Old Trafford, and that last Champions League spot will be ever so closer.
Match Preview
Fresh from a 4-1 thrashing in the Manchester derby on Sunday, Manchester United have some soul searching to do after they were left red-faced on enemy territory.
Two goals apiece from Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez saw Ralf Rangnick’s men come up short against their city rivals once again.
Consequently, The Red Devils now sit a whopping 22 points off their “noisy neighbours” at the top of the Premier League table in what has been a largely underwhelming campaign.
Lying in store next is a chance to complete a league double against a fellow top-six outfit following a comprehensive 3-0 victory in October’s reverse fixture.
Ahead of an all-or-nothing clash against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, United will seek to set the tone with a positive result this weekend.
Tottenham wasted no time in returning to winning ways off the back of a shock FA Cup exit to Middlesbrough as they hit Everton for five on Monday.
Antonio Conte’s men opened the scoring in dramatic fashion as Michael Keane put the ball past his own goalkeeper after which strikes from Heung-Min Son, Sergio Reguilon and a Harry Kane brace put the result beyond doubt.
With 45 points from 26 games this term, The Lilywhites remain seventh on the log, three points adrift of Arsenal in fourth place albeit having played one game more.
Saturday’s visitors, who have scored seven times across their last two league matches on the road, will be aiming to put on another attacking masterclass away from home.
Manchester United Premier League form: DDWWDL
Manchester United form (all competitions): DWWDDL
Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form: LLWLWW
Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions): LWLWLW
Team News
Raphael Varane has recently returned to training after recovering from COVID-19 and the Frenchman could feature in defence.
Elsehwere, Luke Shaw and Edinson Cavani are expected to sit the match out with the latter set to miss a seventh straight game.
Cristiano Ronaldo is a doubt for the contest meaning that Marcus Rashford might be tasked with the responsibility of leading the line.
Harry Kane has rediscovered his scoring touch with five goals in his last five games across all competitions, making him one to keep an eye on.
Ryan Sessegnon was hauled off at half time against Everton with a thigh problem and Sergio Reguilon set to fill in at left back this weekend.
Oliver Skipp and Japhet Tanganga are both unavailable for the trip to Manchester through groin and knee injuries respectively.
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Telles; McTominay, Fred; Sancho, Fernandes, Pogba; Rashford
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Romero, Dier, Davies; Doherty, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Reguilon; Kulusevski, Son, Kane
Score Prediction
Manchester United 1-2 Tottenham
Anything short of a victory would be less than ideal for both teams so we anticipate an end-to-end affair with a lot of goalmouth action. That said, with Kane in tremendous goalscoring form and United in disarray, we’re tipping an away win.