Prediction: Manchester United vs Tottenham

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals in the second-half

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Dachbet

In what is a heavyweight showdown from Old Trafford this weekend, Manchester United will welcome Tottenham to town on Sunday afternoon.

Manchester United

Starting with the hosts, while Manchester United might have marked their return from September’s international break with a much-needed flurry, Erik ten Hag’s side have only continued to show a string of glaring inconstancies. Left hugely frustrated earlier in the week as they opened their Europa League adventure with a 1-1 stalemate at home against Dutch outfit Twente, the former Ajax boss still finds a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders at Old Trafford. Likewise, eventually forced to settle for a downbeat 0-0 draw away at Crystal Palace last weekend, the Reds have won just a pair of their first five Premier League appearances. Opening Sunday’s showdown battling it out in the bottom-half of the table, United appear to have a major uphill battle on their hands in the race to book an essential Champions League return.

Team News

Suffering a long-term ankle injury over the summer and yet to make a Manchester United debut, Leny Yoro remains on the sidelines and will not feature on Sunday afternoon. While Tyrell Malacia might be inching towards a first-team return, the Dutch international will not be included in ten Hag’s squad this weekend.

Despite making a pair of cameo appearances off the bench over the past week, Rasmus Hojlund is not likely to make a first start of the season. Bagging three goals in as many domestic appearances since returning from September’s international break, Marcus Rashford will play a leading role in the final third.

Tottenham

As for the visitors, getting their respective Europa League campaign underway on Thursday night with a 3-0 victory against Azerbaijani outfit Qarabag, Tottenham do have the feel of a squad seeking some crucial stability. Although Spurs might have now won each of their previous three appearances across all competitions, they have come under some real criticism since opening up the new campaign. Opening up this weekend’s fixtures having won just a pair of their first five Premier League showdowns, Ange Postecoglou’s men are also trying to find some defensive steel under the former Celtic boss. Despite mounting a comeback at home against London rivals Brentford as they eventually clawed their way to a 3-1 victory, Tottenham have recorded just a pair of clean sheets from any of their previous 17 domestic matchups across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to March 16th.

Team News

While Radu Dragusin might have been shown an early Europa League red card against Qarabag earlier in the week, the Romanian defender is free to feature here. Likewise, despite serving a European suspension on Thursday night, defensive talisman Cristian Romero will make a full return at Old Trafford.

However, dealing with a recent muscle injury, summer recruit Wilson Odobert will miss out on Sunday afternoon. Now finding the net in each of his previous three appearances, Wales International Brennan Johnson will partner skipper Heung-Min Son in the final third.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Manchester United and Tottenham last met back on January 14th, Sunday’s opponents played out a 2-2 stalemate.
• Both Manchester United and Tottenham have recorded just a pair of wins from any of their opening five Premier League appearances.
• Spurs have recorded just a pair of clean sheets from any of their previous 17 domestic appearances across all competitions.
• Six of the previous eight meetings Manchester United and Tottenham have finished with over 2.5 goals.
• Four of the previous five meetings between Sunday’s opponents at Old Trafford have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

In a contest that tends to produce plenty of fireworks, neutrals will be hoping for another action-packed affair from Old Trafford. With Sunday’s opponents playing out a 2-2 stalemate when they last met in the red half of Manchester on January 14th, chances could come thick and fast this weekend. Two Premier League giants that have continued to show their own defensive issues, we are backing what should be an enjoyable battle here.

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals in the second-half

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Dachbet