Tottenham vs Manchester United Preview

The Premier League returns on Sunday with another meeting of England's 'Big Six' clubs. The opening day of round 22 was highlighted by Arsenal losing to fellow London rivals West Ham for the first time in 12 years, dropping the Gunners even further from finishing in the top four of the league, while allowing Manchester United an opportunity to grab a share of the 5th place spot in the current standings.

Liverpool rebounded from two consecutive loses in all competitions. After struggling to find the back of the net during their first half visit too Brighton, the Reds benefited from a second half penalty against Mohamed Salah, who also stepped up too the spot and completed the process. Chelsea rounded out the first day of action, allowing Newcastle to hang around for much of the match, before Willian provided a moment of genius and sealed a 2-1 victory for the 4th place Blues. 

Tottenham vs Manchester United 
Wembley Stadium, London, England
1-13-2019 - 11:30 am ET - NBC-SN

The first meeting between these two English giants was a forgettable moment for the Red Devils, losing 0-3 in an embarrassing manner to this lethal Spurs side. Man United have since made a change on the sidelines sparking this squad into motion. Sunday they arrive at Wembley Stadium hoping to ride their current momentum to a 6th straight victory in all competitions, while exacting a bit of revenge on the north Londoners.

Tottenham will start the match-day in possession of their own fate. Spurs have quietly gone about their business on the current campaign, sitting 3rd in the top flight table with an overall record of 16-0-5. With 48 points the hosts are safely sitting in Champions League qualifications.

Mauricio Pochettino has been under an additional spotlight as the start of Sunday's match arrives, the Argentine manager is rumored to be at the top of Manchester United's list to fill the same role in 2019-2020. Pochettino will have to make the biggest decision of his managerial career to date - stay with the team he has built over the past several seasons or move to arguably the biggest club in the world with unlimited resources.

Kane's World 

The north Londoner's center-forward Harry Kane has been white hot as of late, scoring a goal in 7 goals in his last 6 matches in all competitions, while also finding the back of the net the last time these two sides met at Old Trafford. Kane will certainly test United's patched up back-line. His presence in and around the box can be an intimidating sight, with no real weaknesses in his finishing skills, it is almost impossible to mark Tottenham's main scoring threat for the full 90 plus minutes. Spurs fans got a mild scare during midweek play when the star striker went down grimacing in pain, but the English international shook off the knock and carried on.

Player Prop
Harry Kane - Anytime Goal Scorer  -110 / 1.91 

The hosts have shifted formations on a regular occasion during this current season, most likely to run out a 4-3-1-2 on Sunday, Pochettino has enjoyed inserting Dele Alli behind Kane and Son Heung-Min moving forward in attack, giving Spurs three different players with their own unique ability to place the ball in the back of the net. Defenses are often left off balance as they attempt to slow down this creative assault, it is hard to place to much attention on one specific player, as the key figures will find the mismatch and exploit the weak link within their high-powered system. 

North Londoners Lynch-Pin

The main ingredient that makes this Tottenham side go has been Christian Eriksen. The Danish midfielder is amazing with the ball at his feet, using a series of passes to place his true danger-men in the best positions too succeed, while offering pure class within set piece and direct free-kick situations, where he can simply place a ball any where he so desires. 

Tottenham have experienced a sustained amount of success against this same Man United side over the past few seasons. Spurs have handed the Red Devils three straight defeats while making the trip too London, while United own a miserable record of 4-4-9 in their last 17 visits too the capital city in general.

Manchester United have been a different team since parting ways with Jose Mourinho. The "Special One" was relieved of his duties after an embarrassing 3-1 defeat to Liverpool last month, making way for the board to call on Ole Gunnar Solskjae to inject life into this once this once under-performing side. The 13 time Premier League champs have responded in a positive manner, posting a perfect 4-0-0 record in league play, while scoring an impressive 14 goals and a +12 differential over that successful run of form. 

Solskjær is no stranger to the hefty expectations that come with his current position, the former Man-U forward was a prominent fixture within Sir Alex Ferguson's winning formula, collecting 5 domestic titles during his time in Manchester, "The Baby-faced Assassin" understands what is required from all involved within this massive club.

Red Devil's New Look Attack

The Norwegian caretaker has been impressed by the contributions of Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and especially Marcus Rashford atop the Red Devils 4-3-3- formation. The youthful trio were itching at the opportunity to prove their overall worth, often left on the bench or belittled for their actions on the pitch, each had lost confidence at times during Mourinho's reign on the sidelines. 

The talented trigger-men have certainly seized their chances too shine, producing 6 goals and assisting on 4 more, earning them the starting nods once again as they seem to be relishing in their new skippers attack minded style of play.

Team News

Alexis Sanchez started last weekends FA cup match after a stint on the injury list, but the Chilean just cannot seem to shake his lingering ailments, as he remains a game-time decision. Romelu Lukaku has been productive since returning from the clubs compassionate leave program, scoring in 3 straight matches, the Belgium gives the Red Devils another legitimate threat through-out their 18 man rotation.

Eric Bailly will not make the trip after picking up a timely suspension, while Marcos Rojo and Chris Smalling are both considered scratches, giving Phil Jones and Victor Lindelof the rare shot to partner within United's crucial center-back spots.

Man-U's Reformed Man

Paul Pogba seemed the most likely to flourish after the Portuguese left the building. The French-man had a awkward relationship with his former manager, often placed out of position, the World Cup winner never really looked comfortable as part of Mourinho's conservative style of play.

Pogba now has a fresh lease on life, his new head man prefers an attacking brand of football which suites the talented midfielders overall skill-set going forward. He has rewarded his new skipper with 4 goals and 3 assists in just 4 appearances, silencing the pundits who questioned his abilities within the English game. 

Pogba is dealing with a slight injury concern himself, his availability remains in question as the starting line-ups are announced, Pothe French-man's presence is huge for the overall confidence of this ascending unit.

Man United will start the match day with an overall record of 11-5-5, currently positioned in the 6th spot of the EPL table, the Red Devils have produced 12 points over the past 4 match days.

Tottenham vs Manchester United - Match Prediction

The tables have been reversed between these two clubs over the past several seasons. After Manchester United dominated the league for a large amount of time, Spurs have began to change the narrative and seem to be the new bully on the block, as they continue to climb both the domestic and European ladder.

Tottenham have been truly effective at attacking United down the wings, where the Red Devils have struggled to defend Spurs calculated cohesion down the flanks.The hosts should be content on exploiting United's weaknesses. Using the counter attack as a prime weapon, they have scored a minimum of 2 goals over their last 3 home matches against their famous guests.

Manchester United are a different side than what Spurs have face over the past two-plus seasons. It will be interesting to see if the Red Devils new attack can test the home sides back-line, using their individual talent to create pin-point shots on target, while producing set-piece situations where Man-U are beasts in the box, using their height and aerial prowess to provide another form of danger for Pochettino's men to defend. 

Match Prop 
Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals  -115 / 1.87 

The pace of this match should be fun to watch, with world class athletes being placed in attacking systems that highlight their overall skill-sets, we should be treated to multiple goals by each participating side, in what could easily be a 2-2 type of outcome as the day of action concludes in England's top league.

Tottenham vs Manchester United  - Betting Tips 

Over 1.25  +105 / 2.05 - Total 1st Half Goals 
Over 2.75  -125 / 1.8  -  Total Full Time Goals 
Tottenham - Team Total Over 1.5  -125 / 1.8 - Goals 
Manchester United - Team Total Over 1  -150 / 1.67  - Goal 

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