Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
Two sides that know how tight the battle for Top Four football will be this season, Tottenham will look to make it three wins on the bounce at the start of the new campaign when they travel to Old Trafford on Monday night. With The Red Devils coming off the back of their embarrassing performance at the Amex, Jose Mourinho must demand more if he intends to stop a high-flying Spurs side.
Manchester United
Well, it appears that all is not well in the red half of Manchester. With Jose Mourinho not landing the center half that he was desperately asking for during the summer transfer window, United are a team with several issues. Conceding three against Brighton last time out and many of United’s big names failing to shine once again, many wonder how long Mourinho has left at Old Trafford. While they may have picked up a 2-1 win over Leicester in their Premier League opener, the gaping who in the heart of United’s defence has now seen them fail to keep a clean sheet in their last six matches in all competitions. However, The Reds have already scored four in their opening two games and Mourinho will know he needs Belgium international Romelu Lukaku to lead from the front. Opening his account against The Seagulls last weekend, the 25-year-old also bagged 16 last season.
Team News
Manchester United could welcome back Alexis Sanchez, who was ruled out of the defeat by Brighton because of a groin problem.
Nemanja Matic and Antonio Valencia may also be available after injuries.
Tottenham
As for Mauricio Pochetino’s Tottenham side, although a move to their new stadium has been delayed and many around North London were angered by their lack of spending this summer, Spurs have once again started the new campaign brightly. Putting three past London rivals Fulham last weekend, Tottenham will also be glad to see that this summers World Cup Golden Boot winner Harry Kane managed to break his duck and net his first goal in the month of August. While Spurs may have failed to keep a clean sheet against Fulham or Newcastle, they have been in fine form in the final third, The Lilywhites have already found the net five times.
Team News
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino remains without Son Heung-min as he is still on international duty with South Korea at the Asian Games.
Victor Wanyama has returned to training following a knee injury but is not expected to be involved on Monday.
Key Factors to Consider
- Tottenham’s 21 defeats at Old Trafford is the most by any away team at a single stadium in Premier League history.
- Spurs have lost four consecutive league matches away at United without scoring.
- Kane has scored 18 goals versus established top-six opposition in the Premier League, which is two more than Romelu Lukaku despite playing 2,008 minutes fewer than the Belgian in those games.
- Pochettino has lost 11 competitive fixtures against Jose Mourinho, more than against any other manager.
- Only in the 1992-93 season have the Red Devils lost more than one of their opening three matches of a Premier League campaign.
Conclusion
The glamour tie of this weekends round of fixtures, on paper it has the potential to produce chances at both ends. With the score ending 2-1 last time the two sides met in the FA Cup back in April, Manchester United vs Tottenham often produces an enthralling 90 minutes. With both sides keeping just one clean sheet in their last 15 combined matches in all competitions, World Cup stars Romelu Lukaku and Harry Kane should be confident about extending their early season tally. Backing both teams to find the net at 4/5 seems like the smartest bet on Monday night.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
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