The race for Champions League football is set for another potential twist this weekend with four contenders in action against one another on a mouth-watering Super Sunday. A fixture comprising Manchester United and Tottenham rarely disappoints and with the Red Devils nervously watching a slender three-point cushion, things could not be tighter at the top. To ramp up the heat further, Mauricio Pochettino will be seeking to expand the current one-point advantage over his former club Southampton, who travel to Stamford Bridge.
The away side will be hoping to replicate the success of their north London rivals Arsenal who battled to a 2-1 FA Cup victory at Old Trafford on Monday evening. On an evening smeared by diving allegations and manhandling of referees, Manchester United boasted one of their best first-half performances of late, despite failing to set up a semi-final clash. A whipped cross from controversial figure Angel Di Maria was converted by Wayne Rooney to immediately cancel out Nacho Monreal’s earlier strike. However, the Argentine winger grabbed the headlines for the wrong reasons as he was shown two cautions in quick succession – the first for diving and then another for jostling with referee Michael Oliver in retaliation. To further rub salt in the wounds for Louis van Gaal, it was boyhood United striker Danny Welbeck who scored the winning goal after a mistake from the otherwise exceptional Chris Smalling.
In the league however, both these teams have harvested six points each from their last two matches. Spurs remain buoyant due to the form of Harry Kane, who has now racked up a tally of 24 goals for the season in all competitions. The Englishman fired home twice in his side’s 2-1 win away at QPR last time out and is sustaining Tottenham’s league position as goals continue to be leaked at the opposite end of the pitch.
Juan Mata is pushing to replace the suspended Di Maria and will attempt to exploit some of Spurs’ aforementioned defensive issues. Luke Shaw is the only other injury concern as he was replaced at half-time against the Gunners. Robin van Persie is still side-lined with an ankle injury.
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur Betting Tips
- Man Utd to win and BTTS – A combination of United’s first-half performance against Arsenal, Tottenham’s ‘goals against’ column and the form of Harry Kane suggests a potentially high-scoring encounter. Nevertheless, we feel United have more strength in depth and will come out on top – the odds are 13/5 with Bet365.
- Harry Kane to score first – As stated above, Tottenham’s number eighteen is on fire. The Englishman will be looking to repeat his antics on the big stage and he can be backed at 6/1 with Coral for the first goal.
- Wayne Rooney to score 2+ goals – Although Monday evening was one filled with disappointment for Manchester United fans, it was a more pleasing one for the captain who we feel produced his best individual performance in recent weeks. To continue such form and grab two or more against Spurs, BetVictor are the best bet with odds of 5/1.