What: English Premier League
Who: Tottenham Hotspur (4th; 36 points) vs Manchester United (1st; 44 points)
When: Sunday, 16th January, 2011, at 16:10 UK time
Where: White Hart Lane, London, England
Up the Table
Tottenham Hotspur welcome Manchester United in what is the most eagerly awaited Premier League clash of the weekend. With the Red Devils slowly running away from neighbours Manchester City as well as Arsenal, and Tottenham themselves keen on occupying a Champions League qualification berth, expects spark to fly at the Lane.
The big news around Tottenham is of course David Beckham’s arrival to train with the team, as the MLS takes a break and enters its off-season. The presence of the former English captain at the London club has been described as “World Cup fever” by forward Roman Pavlyuchenko, who claimed Beckham to be a completely different figure during training than the star most people usually see: “He is a normal guy, who worked well with the group, didn’t complain about anything or anyone and spoke kindly", said the Russian.
However, against one of Beckham’s former clubs, Spurs will have to produce one of their finest performances in order to grab the three points, as Sir Alex Ferguson’s team do not appear to be losing ground in the race towards the Premier League crown. Therefore, a potency in front of goal similar to that shown against Charlton in the FA Cup and Internazionale in the Champions League will certainly be needed as chances may well be at a premium.
One Head Above the Others
Manchester United go into this game full of confidence. While it is true that the Red Devils have not been playing the kind of scintillating football that has marked many of their title-winning charges, Ferguson’s side have ground out results, and it is points, not just performances, that truly matter. Against Spurs, one of the Premier League’s most in-form sides this season, a win would certainly increase United’s chances of reclaiming the silverware they lost to Chelsea last season.
One player who certainly fancies the team’s chances is skipper Nemanja Vidic. The Serbian believes that his side will only improve, saying that the chances of making up for a difficult term last season are great: “But from my experience, this sort of time is when we usually come into good form. We all want to win the trophy. Last season was very disappointing. We just need to keep pushing hard and playing well. If we do that, we have a good chance of regaining it."
The Old Trafford outfit saw off a spirited Liverpool in the FA Cup last weekend, but playing against ten men it is difficult to judge how things might turn out at White Hart Lane. Tottenham cannot be underestimated, as an early goal from the hosts would surely turn the momentum in their favour, and with the chasing pack not far from United’s tail, any slip-up could be costly.
Recent form
Tottenham Hotspur:
Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Fulham (01/01; Premier League)
Everton 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur (05/01; Premier League)
Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Charlton Athletic (09/01; FA Cup)
Manchester United:
West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Manchester United (01/01; Premier League)
Manchester United 2-1 Stoke City (04/01; Premier League)
Manchester United 1-0 Liverpool (09/01; FA Cup)
Key absences
Tottenham Hotspur: Tom Huddlestone; Ledley King; Jamie O’Hara; Jonathan Woodgate; Robbie Keane (doubt)
Manchester United: Paul Scholes (doubt); Owen Hargreaves; John O’Shea (doubt); Ji-Sung Park (Asian Cup); Antonio Valencia; Edwin van der Sar (doubt)
Players to watch
Tottenham Hotspur – Gareth Bale: The revelation of the season, Gareth Bale is his team’s most potent threat. One of the finest occupiers of the left flank in world football, a failure to correctly mark the Welshman would cause all sorts of problems for Manchester United, leading to wave after wave of attacks. Already with suitors across Europe, Bale can continue to enhance his reputation even more with a match-winning display here.
Manchester United – Nemanja Vidic: The Serbian defender sat out United’s FA Cup win over Liverpool and should be raring to go for this challenge. And he is set to be tested to the limit. Spurs have looked lethal at times going forward this season and Vidic will need to ensure there are no lapses of concentration amongst the Red Devils’ backline. If he can help his side to keep a clean sheet, victory looks more than possible.
Match prediction
United have shown an amazing ability to grind out results and come out on top this season, something that they will aim to do once again. While the home side are certainly a prospect to be taken very seriously, especially going forward, they have flopped on occasion this season and United do have an excellent record at White Hart Lane. Indeed, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men have won four of their last visits to this ground. With United boosted by the return of Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic, they should have enough to edge this, but only if they don’t concede early. Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Manchester United.
