Prediction: Manchester United vs Tottenham

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmakers: William Hill

Premier League round 10 kicks off with a bang at Old Trafford where home side Manchester United are welcoming in-form fellow title contenders Tottenham Hotspur at lunch time on Saturday afternoon.

Manchester United

A low-profile Carabao Cup victory over Swansea City during the week is by no means sufficient to remove the pressure off of Jose Mourinho’s shoulders. Manchester United did manage to get back to winning ways but their first Premier League defeat of the season to Huddersfield Town last week is still resonating loudly.

The Saturday in front of us brings a chance for Mourinho’s boys to go big or home in an early season decider that can help Red Devils make a huge statement of intent. The Portuguese boss and his approach – call it pragmatic or defensive – in a goalless draw against Liverpool paved way for a week of public debate and hot consternation within the Manchester United camp as finger pointers claim Mourinho is undermining the wealth of attacking potential within his squad. Adding fuel to fire was a dismal performance against Huddersfield and a demotivated bunch of expensive footballers which got dismantled by the Premier League rookies. Jose Mourinho needs a strong reaction from his men but he himself is unlikely to wield any changes to tactics and philosophy knowing that he faces a side as exciting as Tottenham in a direct second-place clash.

Team News

Phil Jones is still struggling with a knee problem but should be able to take some part in the Spurs game.

Paul Pogba remains unavailable due to a hamstring injury which kept him on the sidelines since mid-September. Marouane Fellaini is also out of contention, together with Michael Carrick but Eric Bailly could make a return to the squad.

Tottenham

Mauricio Pochettino’s men wasted a two-goal lead from the first half to go on and lose the Carabao Cup clash against West ham on Wednesday night.

A low-key defeat in a competition branded as secondary by the Premier League contenders and Champions League hopefuls is unlikely to ruin the positive atmosphere inside the Tottenham camp, however. The Spurs fielded a combined XI for the West Ham match as Mauricio Pochettino clearly wanted to keep his first-team stars fresh for the big challenge lying ahead. A combined Tottenham side has allowed for their 11-match unbeaten run to end but the Spurs will be keen to immediately get back to winning ways at Old Trafford. Pochettino’s men could leapfrog Manchester United and sit second to leaders Manchester City with a win and there is no doubt they’ll do their best to rub salt into United’s wounds. The north Londoners are aware of the challenge, knowing they only won twice in 28 years at Old Trafford but every tradition and rule is there to be broken and that’s exactly what Spurs hope will happen.

Team News

Eric Lamela and Victor Wanyama remain unavailable due to their hip and knee problems, respectively.

Harry Kane was rested for the Carabao Cup clash and the in-form striker will be a doubt for the Satirday’s match although Christian Eriksen is expected to return to the fold.

Key Factors to Consider

• Spurs only won twice in 28 years at Old Trafford
• Tottenham are on a four-match winning run in the Premier League
• Man United only conceded 4 goals in 9 Premier League matches
• Harry Kane already has 8 goals on his tally after 9 rounds
• Man United won their last 9 home matches across all competitions

Conclusion

If Jose Mourinho goes on to adopt his trademark defensive approach and close all the gates towards De Gea’s goals we are likely to see a low-scoring affair and an uneventful game.  Both sides, however, are packed with incredible attacking talent and we hope this game lives up to everybody’s expectations.

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmakers: William Hill