English Premier
2012-03-04 - Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 4 March 2012 - Kick Off 4:10pm
This game is live on TV
Tottenham Hotspur
How many Tottenham Hotspur fans were thinking that they were going to cruise at the Emirates Stadium last week when they moved into a 0-2 lead at Arsenal with 40 minutes played? The team didn't really look that comfortable with that lead and were stunned by an Arsenal comeback and it is going to be very interesting to see how they bounce back as they entertain the Champions in the last game of the weekend.
Many will expect Spurs to have a downturn in fortunes following their 5-2 shelling last week, but they have been very tough to play at White Hart Lane all season and I do think they will have a positive reaction to the game last weekend. Spurs are 10-2-1 here, scoring 29 goals and only conceding 10 meaning only Manchester City have conceded less goals at home so far.
The loss at Arsenal means Spurs have only won 1 of their last 4 games in all competitions, although that did come in their only game at White Hart Lane in that stretch of games. Spurs have won 7 of their last 9 games in all competitions here and they have gone unbeaten in their last 12 in the League here after being hammered by Manchester City 1-5. The team have scored goals for fun in recent games at home, scoring 14 goals in their last 5 here.
Scott Parker is suspended for this game having been sent off at Arsenal so Sandro could come in. Kyle Walker, Ledley King, Gareth Bale and Rafael Van der Vaart have all been suffering with injury niggles this week, but all are expected to be in the squad. Louis Saha will be hoping to start against one of his former clubs.
Manchester United
How many times have Manchester United scored a late winner over the last 20 years in the Premier League? They were at it again last weekend as Ryan Giggs secured a vital three points at Norwich City after it looked like the Champions would drop a couple of points following a late Grant Holt goal.
The pressure will be on United to get a result here and keep tabs on Manchester City who cruised into a 5 point lead over the Red Devils with a comfortable win on Saturday afternoon. There should be confidence that United can close that gap considering they bring the best away record in the League to the Lane on Sunday afternoon. The team are 9-3-1 away from home, scoring 26 goals and conceding 11.
The win at Carrow Road means United have won 5 of their last 6 Premier League games since the back to back defeats to Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United. The only exception in that time was a 3-3 draw at Chelsea when they showed plenty of character to come back from 3-0 down. United have won 4 of their last 6 games away from home in all competitions.
Chris Smalling is likely going to miss out on Sunday after suffering a bad head injury while playing for England on Wednesday. Antonio Valencia and Anderson are doubts, while Tom Cleverley is out.
Head to Head
Manchester United have not lost a game against Tottenham Hotspur for over a decade now, although they haven't had it easy at White Hart Lane in recent visits.
United are unbeaten in their last 10 games in this part of North London, but 3 of the last 4 games have finished in draws including a 0-0 here last season.
Prediction
This is going to be a fascinating game on Sunday afternoon and I think both teams will have their supporters in what looks like an open market.
It is hard to ignore the record Spurs have against Manchester United, but this is as good a side as they have had over the last few seasons, and they have been getting a little closer to causing a surprise against their illustrious opponents.
Manchester United know they have come out of a really tough run of fixtures and will want to complete the positive run they have been on with another three points. However, I think they will be set up to contain Tottenham in the early stages and try and grow into the game with the use of the counter attack that has been so effective in Sir Alex Ferguson's time at the club.
As I said, Spurs do not have a great record against United in recent seasons, but they have managed to avoid defeat in 3 of their last 4 home games against them and I have a feeling we may see another on Sunday.
I think both sides would actually be fairly happy with a split of the points come 6pm, and I think it is worth chancing in a game that really could end in any of the three ways.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Manchester United
