Man Utd vs Tottenham tips and predictions: Spoils shared in battle of leaky defences
- George Dempsey
- 12 January 2024
On Sunday, Manchester United face a must-win game against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League at Old Trafford.
Man Utd are at risk of being cut 11 points adrift of the top five if Tottenham beat them on Sunday afternoon.
The Reds have been much better at home over the past year or so than they have away, but their home advantage is waning under Erik ten Hag.
Tottenham look equally at home on the road and their style under Ange Postecoglu looks ready-made to catch a wasteful United cold.
Few teams have wasted as many big chances as the Reds this season and their defensive shortcomings make them particularly susceptible to the Spurs break.
United's 3-2 win over Aston Villa could have been a turning point, but they were beaten 2-1 by Nottingham Forest the following week.
As harsh as it may sound given the character it took, we think Villa were guilty of wasting the chances to go 3-0 up and sleepwalking through the second half.
Spurs have won four of five in the Prem and seem to be playing their best football again despite having a lengthy absentee list, which now includes Heung-min Son.
Richarlison has stepped up with five in five and the onus will be on the Brazilian and Dejan Kulusevski to create and score on Sunday.
They’ll also have to cope without the services of Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr in midfield, which leaves them looking extremely exposed.
Man Utd are in a similar situation as they’re short on options in defence and relying on Kobbie Mainoo and Scott McTominay in midfield.
Both teams have plenty of attacking threat but you can question the strength of both defences and whether they’ll be able to have an impact on Sunday.
Tottenham’s away games have averaged 3.8 goals and they rarely keep a clean sheet. United have allowed Premier League visitors to Old Trafford to score 1.6 goals per game.
Team news
Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Casemiro, Mason Mount, Tyrell Malacia and Victor Lindelof are ruled out, while Sofyan Amrabat is at the African Cup of Nations.
Luke Shaw, Christian Eriksen, Amad Diallo, Antony, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and Anthony Martial are all doubts.
Ben Davies, James Maddison, Ivan Perisic, Alejo Veliz and Manor Solomon are ruled out.
Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero will be subject to fitness tests.
Bissouma, Sarr and Son are on international duty.
Timo Werner could make his Spurs debut.
Key stats
- Since 2019, this fixture has averaged four goals per game
- Man Utd are conceding 1.6 goals per game at Old Trafford
- Man Utd are unbeaten in nine of 11 meetings
- Both teams have scored in 10 of 11 Tottenham games
- Tottenham’s away games have averaged 3.8 goals this season
