Manchester United vs Tottenham Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
Manchester United:
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Williams; McTominay, Fred; James, Lingard, Rashford; Martial
Tottenham:
Gazzaniga; Aurier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Rose; Dier, Winks; Sissoko, Dele Alli, Son; Harry Kane
Manchester United welcome Tottenham in the most interesting fixture of this round. The presence of Jose Mourinho will add some extra spice to the derby. He returns to Old Trafford to face his former employers for the first time since being sacked as United manager nearly a year ago. Both teams started the season poor, so the points from this match are extremely important. Manchester United are on the 9th place with 18 points. They are targeting the Champions league spots, however the difference is big eight points at the moment. The actual form isn't good, they have just one victory on the last four games in the Premier League. The Red Devils managed to beat Brighton, but lost to Bournemouth and took just a point against Sheffield United and Aston Villa. Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is under big pressure and positive result here will be very welcome. However, he has some injury worries ahead of this match. Paul Pogba is still unavailable due to an ankle injury. The 26-year-old French international has been sidelined since the match with Arsenal at the end of September. Marcos Rojo is also sidelined, while Diogo Dalot and Nemanja Matic are rated as doubtful. Scott McTominay, who missed the last three matches due to an ankle injury, is expected to make his return. Eric Bailly and Timothy Fosu-Mensah remain long-term absentees having undergone knee surgery earlier this year.
Tottenham are sitting on the fifth place with 20 points. They are closer to the Champions League spots, "just" six points away. The fans are very pleased with the last performances of their team. Newly appointed manager Jose Mourinho bring instant improvement. The former Manchester United boss, who has signed a three-year contract, has obtained three victories in all competitions. The Spurs first managed to beat West Ham with 3:2. Son, Lucas Moura and Harry Kane netted the goals on that match. The second victory came in the Champions League. Tottenham won 4:2 against Greek side Olympiakos. Kane was double scorer, while Dele Alli and Serge Aurier also found the back of the net. Finally, Tottenham won 3:2 against Bournemouth on Saturday. Dele Alli's two goals and Sissoko's strike helped Spurs to their first back-to-back Premier League victories this season. Alli play in excellent form, he was directly involved in three goals in his two Premier League games under Jose Mourinho (2 goals, 1 assist), as many as he managed in his last 12 under Pochettino. The atmosphere in the squad is positive, while the players confidence is higher. Most of the players are ready for this match, but goalkeepers Hugo Lloris and Michel Vorm remain sidelined. That means Paulo Gazzaniga is certain to keep his starting role in goal. Erik Lamela and Ben Davies are out injured with thigh and ankle injury respectively.
Manchester United vs Tottenham Prediction:
Both Manchester United and Tottenham have played high scoring games in the last period. Nevertheless, I expect this match to be different. Mourinho is satisfied with the three starting victories, but he isn't happy with the fact Tottenham conceded two goals on each game. He is known as a pragmatic coach who values a solid 1:0 win more than 2:1 or 3:2. The Portuguese coach will try to improve the defensive performances of his team, starting from this match. I expect a tight and low scoring match at Old Trafford.
Manchester United vs Tottenham Pick: Under 2.5 goals @ 2.12 with
Pinnacle