Tottenham vs. Manchester United – England Premier League Match Preview, White Hart Lane, London England 11 AM EST Sunday January 20, 2013
By Jason Green, Soccer Handicapper, Predictem.com
Match Odds: Tottenham2.97 / Manchester United 2.37 / Draw 330
Moneyline: Tottenham +190 / Manchester United +138 / Draw +230
Over/Under: 2.5 goals
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Manchester United is in first place in the England Premier League and they have a comfortable 7-point lead over 2nd place Manchester City. The team keeps winning, but there is a minor distraction, as there are rumors that Cristiano Ronaldo may come back into the fold.
Tottenham is in 4th place in the EPL only 2 points behind Chelsea, who have a big match facing Arsenal this Sunday. The Spurs had their 3-match winning streak snapped in their last match, which was a 0-0 draw facing QPR. The Spurs have some big wins this season and no doubt the biggest has to be when they scored a huge upset with a 3-2 away upset win over Manchester United.
Manchester U has not lost an EPL match since November of last year and they have only conceded 3 goals in their last 5 matches with 3 clean sheets in that span. That is not good for the other teams in the league since the Man U defense was supposed to be their weakness. Speaking of defense the Spurs will have to play well in that area facing a United defense that has scored the most goals in the EPL by an 11 goal margin.
The Spurs are solid on both sides of the pitch and their defense has been playing great only allowing 2 goals in their last 6 matches with 4 clean sheets.
In the earlier match these season between these 2 teams Man U dominated the time of possession and had more shots and they still lose. Tottenham cannot expect to win if those things happen again, as their midfield will have to play well and control the ball not sitting back and letting united dictate the match. Also, in that match.
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Even though the Spurs will likely have more control of the ball in this match they still may not win that battle, which is why it is key that they pounce on any counter-attack chances they get.
It is no surprise that the Spurs have to key on Robin Van Persie, who leads the EPL in goals, and Wayne Rooney (7 goals). Man U is great on the wings and Tottenham cannot allow Man U to bolt down the sidelines and attacking the goal from that area of the pitch.
Jermain Defoe and Gareth Bale, who scored in the earlier match against Man U, pace the Spurs’ offense and these 2 have combined for 19 goals this season. If Manchester United can shut these 2 down they will be in good shape.
Spurs’ G Hugo Lloris has 2 clean sheets in a row, but that will not happen in this match.
Tottenham Recent Form
12/26/2012 Aston Villa 0 Tottenham 4 (Premier League)
2/29/2012 Sunderland 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2 (Premier League)
1/1/2013 Tottenham 3 Reading 1 (Premier League)
1/5/2013 Tottenham 3 Coventry City 0 (FA Cup)
1/12/2013 Queens Park Rangers 0 Tottenham Hotspur 0 (Premier League)
Manchester United Recent Form
1/29/2012 Manchester United 2 West Bromwich Albion 0 (Premier League)
1/1/2013 Wigan Athletic 0 Manchester United 4 (Premier League)
1/5/2013 West Ham United 2 Manchester United 2 (FA Cup)
1/13/2013 Manchester United 2 Liverpool 1 (Premier League)
1/16/2013 Manchester United 1 West Ham United 0 (FA Cup)
In their last 10 matches Tottenham has an Over/Under 2.5 goal record of 7-3 and Manchester United is at 6-4.
Jason’s Pick to Win the Match: I do not think this match will be like the first meeting this season, as this will be a low scoring affair. Each team needs to avoid the loss and because of this both will be very cautious. I almost want to go with the draw in this match, but with the talent that Manchester United have and with the chip on their shoulder from losing to the Spurs earlier this season they will come out on top and win by a score of 1-0 or 2-0.