Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United

Hello Once Again!!


The league is approaching its peak time, it's the survival of the fittest at the bottom of the league whilst at the top its more like a two horse race with the Manchester teams chasing each other! 
This week we see Manchester United travelling to London to face Spurs who currently sit third in the league. This is the toughest Away fixture from the remaining games for Man United whilst it is a test of character for Spurs following their disappointing loss against rivals Arsenal.


Manchester United go to this game as the team with the best away record this season and having snatched a late dramatic winner against Norwich last week. Spurs on the other hand, have suffered their biggest disappointment this season having lost to Arsenal despite leading by 2 goals in the first thirty minutes of the game.


Current Form:
Tottenham: L W D W L
Man United: W W D W W


Spurs's record at White Hart Lane has been impressive, having won 10 games, drawn 2 and lost only one. Man City are the only team to have grabbed 3 points from there whilst Chelsea and Wolves gained a point each. Spurs have collected a total of 32 points from a possible 39 as they boast a 54% clean sheet record and a goal scoring average of 2.23 goals per game. `
Man United on the other hand have the best away record this season having won 9 games, drawn 3 and lost one. Newcastle thrashed United at Sports direct arena whilst Chelsea, Liverpool and Stoke managed to squeeze United to settle for a point. United have collected a total of 30 points from a possible 39 with a goal scoring average of 2 goals per game and a 46% clean sheet record.

The coming together of Old Men!
Harry and Fergie have respect for each other as managers.

Team News:


Spurs will miss the services of influential midfielder Scott Parker who misses out due to suspension, while Gareth Bale has been declared fit for the game tomorrow after missing out the game against Costa Rica due to hamstring problems. Van der Vaart and Kyle Walker should be fit as well as they did train with the team on Friday. Ledley King felt his hamstring in the Arsenal clash and faces a race against time to be fit for the game. 


Man United meanwhile have a never ending list of injuries with Valencia, Linergard, Cleverley, Anderson and Smalling all injured. Michael Owen has returned to full training and so has Wayne Rooney who missed out the last two games with a throat infection. Evans, Welbeck and Nani played almost 80 minutes of football for their countries and Chicharito had a late kick off game against USA. SAF has admitted he would decide on Saturday as to what squad to take with him. There have been rumours that Anderson might feature tomorrow. That however was not confirmed by MUFC.


Men to watch:


SAF has compared Modric to Scholes by admitting that the Croatian influences the game by controlling the midfield just as his English counterpart. Rio Ferdinand has admitted in the past that the most difficult person to defend against was Louis Saha who tomorrow will be leading the strike force against his former club. Patrice Evra has always found it tough against some wingers, apparently Aaron Lennon is amongst one of them, the others being Antonio Valencia(then at Wigan) and L. Messi. Brad Friedel on the other hand has always been in terrific form against Man United since his time at Liverpool. Gareth Bale has come under a lot of criticism after he was accused of diving against Arsenal, he however remains one of the biggest threat tomorrow.


Michael Carrick's form has been hailed as terrific by SAF and Paul Scholes has been outstanding since he called off retirement. De Gea meanwhile has been voted as the Best Player for the Month of February by Man United fans. The return of Rooney will be a major boost for United as he is set to partner D. Welbeck upfront tomorrow. Ryan Giggs marked his 900th appearance with a 90th minute winning goal against Norwich and could be a threat tomorrow. Berbatov may sign a new contract at United, who knows may be he could feature against his old foes tomorrow?


Luka Modric and Paul Scholes would be the men to be watched tomorrow! It's a midfield battle, with Scholesy boasting great experience whilst Modric seems to be too fast and smart!


Probable Line Up:


Spurs: Friedel, Walker, Kaboul, Gallas, Essou Ekotto, Bale, Modric, Sandro, Lennon, Adebayor, Saha


United: De Gea, Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Young, Nani, Scholes, Carrick, Rooney, Welbeck


Prediction:
1-2 to Man United, with Saha, Welbeck and Nani in the score sheet! 


May the best team win!
Cheerio!
Mj Kassam