Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United – Sunday 4th March – White Hart Lane (18:10)
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United
The English Premiership is nearing the home stretch and this is a vital period for all the teams. Third placed Tottenham Hotspur host second placed Manchester United with both teams having different aspirations. The home side has slipped way off the Manchester clubs in recent weeks and European qualification looks the most realistic target whilst the reigning champions chase their 20th title. This match has always proved entertaining and is never short of controversy and one can expect nothing less this time around.
Tottenham Hotspur were given a reality check last weekend as they were hammered 5-2 by their arch rivals Arsenal at The Emirates. This, despite Louis Saha firing them ahead early on and Arsenal old boy Emmanuel Adebayor netting a penalty to make it 2-0 to the visitors inside 34 minutes. Spurs and their Manager Harry Redknapp were left stunned as his team eventually succumbed to an Arsenal backlash. Redknapp then conceded that they are out of the title running but are still well in contention to feature in Europe next year. Tottenham’s main focus will now be to finish in the top four and they have proved difficult to beat at home this season. Their solitary loss was to the league leaders.
Manchester United kept pace with their ‘noisy neighbours’ last weekend with a victory over Norwich, courtesy of a late Ryan Giggs strike in what was the legendary Welshman’s 900th appearance for the club. The other United legend Paul Scholes opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a typical poachers finish but Norwich equalized with seven minutes to play.
United were without talisman Wayne Rooney due to a throat infection and the striker was withdrawn from England’s midweek friendly against the Netherlands. They certainly missed the robust and technical ability of the Englishman and will welcome him back against Spurs should he be fit. United have the best away record in the league which boasts nine wins, three draws and a solitary loss.
This encounter has always proved to be a goal-fest and one can be sure both teams will be going at each other from the first whistle. Tottenham will be looking to avenge their 3-0 loss to the Red Devils earlier in the season. However, United will match them every step of the way and the draw looks the likely outcome.
