Premier League betting – Spurs vs Man Utd

Tottenham Hotspurs v Manchester United betting preview

Tottenham Hotspurs: League Position: 4th, League Form: DWWWL

Tottenham are in the title race. Their improvement, and the lack of progress of former untouchables Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, has thrust them into the top four comfortably, and a danger to every side in the league.

They’ve drawn with Chelsea and Manchester City at home, both in games they deserved to win, and beat Arsenal away from home. The one blotch on their big game copybook is an away loss at Old Trafford, but the current league leaders are struggling away from home.

The game will be as tight as big games usually are, but Tottenham fans will tell you that attack is always their priority. With echoes of Keegan’s Newcastle side of old, the attitude is outscoring the opposition, not grinding out results.  

It’s 20 games since their last 0-0, and with only one loss at home this season (a surprise defeat to Wigan) they come into this game confident of not only goals, but victory.

Manchester United: League Position: 1st, League Form: WWDWW

Unbeaten Manchester United have come into the new year top of the league and with games in hand on their closest rivals. They’ve passed the big tests so far, wins at home against Arsenal and this weekend’s opposition Tottenham, as well as a draw away at local rivals City.

Interestingly, the league leaders continue to be criticised for the lack of panache in the play that has got them to the top of the table. Yet they’ve played a game less than the renowned offensive Tottenham and scored 12 more goals.

The worry for United fans is their away form, where they have still yet to lose, but drawn seven of nine games. However, not many sides attack them. Avoiding defeat here will be a good result for Ferguson’s side, most likely leaving them top still after the weekend’s round of games, and still with games in hand.

Match Prediction: MANCHESTER UNITED WIN – 2.63 BetFred – Free £50 bet

Manchester United have been seen as weak away from home this year, and Tottenham will fancy themselves to have a go here. It has not been the Tottenham way to sit back so far this season, which will be something different for United on their travels. A chance to counter attack will play into United’s hands, and this game could find more comfort for the attacking players of the Reds.

There will be battles all over the pitch, many which the league leaders won in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. Aside from Nani’s controversial late goal, making it 2-0 to United, Tottenham were outplayed. Rafael proved good enough to block Bale and Van Der Vaart was quiet with Fletcher and Carrick in the area he operates.

The big threat could be boo-target Berbatov, with the ex-Tottenham striker top scorer in the league with 15 goals. Where Rooney has failed in front of goal this season Berbatov has not, and he’s been ably supported by Nani and Mexican starlet Hernandez.

Surprisingly, Spurs have had more games with less than 3 goals than more (48% over 2.5 goals), whereas United have 63% over 2.5 goals.

Highlighted Bets:-

Over/Under: Over 2.5 Goals – 2.03 Bet365
First Goalscorer: Dimitar Berbatov – 6.5 SkyBet
Correct Score: 2-1 Manchester United Win – 10.00 SkyBet

Match Odds:-

Tottenham Hotspurs – 3.00 Victor Chandler
Draw – 3.4 – Victor Chandler
Manchester United – 2.63 BetFred

By Chris Wilkerson

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