Premier League
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur: Big Match Special
Manchester United return to Premier League action on Saturday evening when they welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford. Michael Carrick’s side sit 12th in the table with five points from their opening five matches, while Tottenham arrive in Manchester bottom of the division and still searching for their first league win of the campaign.
Football Writer, Racing Tipster
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Stephen WelchBig Match SpecialManchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
Kick Off
Saturday 10 October at 17:30
Ground
Old Trafford
Competition
Premier League
Neither side has made a convincing start, but Manchester United have at least shown considerably more threat in attack, scoring eight league goals compared with Tottenham’s two. Spurs have failed to score in four of their five Premier League games and despite United’s own inconsistent form, home advantage could prove decisive against a side badly lacking confidence.
Manchester United
Match Result
Manchester United should be backed to take all three points at Old Trafford. The Red Devils have won just once in the league this season but that victory came emphatically at home against Ipswich Town (5-2), while Tottenham remain winless after five matches. Spurs have scored just twice in the Premier League and are yet to find the net away from home. United also won this fixture 2-0 in February and we expect Carrick’s side to have enough attacking quality to secure another home victory.
Draw/Manchester United
Half-Time/Full-Time
A level first half followed by a Manchester United victory looks an interesting alternative angle. United have gone into half-time level in each of their last three Premier League games, with seven of their eight league goals this season arriving after the break. Spurs are yet to score a first-half goal and two of their last three league matches have been goalless at the interval. With both sides under pressure, a cautious opening would come as little surprise before United eventually take control.
No
Both Teams To Score
Tottenham’s lack of goals makes ‘BTTS No’ worth consideration. Spurs have failed to score in four of their five Premier League games and have managed just two goals across the campaign, both arriving late in the 3-2 defeat against Aston Villa. Manchester United are yet to keep a league clean sheet themselves, but Spurs’ problems in the final third have been significant and they have also failed to score in both away league fixtures so far.
Bryan Mbeumo
Anytime Goalscorer
Bryan Mbeumo looks the standout goalscorer option for Manchester United. The forward has scored twice in five Premier League appearances this season and continues to offer a consistent threat, averaging 3.8 shots per game. He also boasts an excellent record against Spurs, scoring six goals in nine Premier League meetings with Saturday’s opponents, including in both league encounters for United last season.
Manchester United 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Correct Score
Manchester United have hardly been convincing themselves, but Spurs’ attacking record makes a home win to nil the most appealing correct score route. Spurs have failed to score in four of five league games and remain without an away goal, while United beat them by the same 2-0 scoreline at Old Trafford earlier this year. A repeat result highlights both Manchester United’s greater attacking threat and Spurs’ ongoing struggles in front of goal.
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur Tips
Manchester United
Match Result
Draw/Manchester United
Half-Time/Full-Time
No
Both Teams To Score
Bryan Mbeumo
Anytime Goalscorer
Manchester United 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Correct Score
Verdict
There is little between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur on this evidence, and honours even looks the most likely outcome. The scoreline call is Manchester United 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur, so chances are expected to be at a premium. Stephen Welch make Manchester United the standout call on the card.