Match: Tottenham vs Man Utd
When: Thursday, 19 December 2024, 22:00 SAST
Where: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
The Red Devils beat Man City on Sunday whilst Spurs ended a five-match winless run. Tottenham are chasing their first silverware since 2008.
Tottenham Form
Spurs’ form is wildly inconsistent. After a run of seven wins in nine matches, they won just once in the next eight fixtures. That lone victory was a 4-0 win away at Man City, but successive home draws followed. A 1-0 loss at Bournemouth saw them allow 21 shots and 3.71 xG.
A 4-3 home loss to Chelsea saw a 2-0 lead surrendered as they allowed six big chances. After a poor performance in a 1-1 draw at Rangers in the Europa League, they ended their winless streak on Sunday. Spurs won 5-0 at Southampton with all of the goals scored in the first half.
Tottenham Team News
Ange Postecoglou’s side have a plethora of injuries. Guglielmo Vicario is absent in goal and neither Cristian Romero nor Micky van de Ven will return in defence. Ben Davies is also out injured and Destiny Udogie is a major doubt after an injury at Southampton.
In attack, there is no Richarlison or Wilson Odobert. Heung-Min Son took a knock in the last match and midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur is out suspended.
Tottenham Motivation
Spurs will go all out to win this match and to reach the semi-finals. It is expected to be the best available XI selected.
Nothing will change from their usual, open style of play. They will attack United from the start.
Man Utd Form
It has been a mixed time in charge so far for Ruben Amorim. His first match saw a 1-1 draw at Ipswich before needing a comeback to win 3-2 at home against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League. A 4-0 win at Everton came with some ruthless finishing in an average performance.
The Red Devils were beaten 2-0 at Arsenal as their set-piece woes were highlighted. A 3-2 home defeat by Nottingham Forest was a deserved loss before winning 2-1 at Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League. On Sunday, two late goals saw them burgle a 2-1 win at Man City.
Man Utd Team News
Man Utd must decide whether to involve Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho are neither made the squad on Sunday. Luke Shaw is out and Mason Mount injured himself in the last match. Noussair Mazraoui should shake off a knock to feature in this match.
Leny Yoro and Kobbie Mainoo are expected to start this match. Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, and Joshua Zirkzee could also be involved.
Man Utd Motivation
Amorim really needs to build some momentum right now. He will try to get the win and to make it to the semi-finals.
Expect a fair amount of rotation to the XI. United won’t sit back and will try to implement the patterns of play that the coach is looking for.
Key Stats
Tottenham have won just 2 of their last 9 matches
Tottenham are winless in 4 home matches (LDDL)
Spurs’ Dejan Kulusevski has scored in his last 3 matches
Man Utd have won just 8 of their last 19 matches
Man Utd are winless in 4 matches vs Tottenham (2 losses, 2 draws, 9 goals conceded)
Verdict
This should be an exciting match with both teams looking to attack. We should see both teams on target. Spurs are unpredictable but tend to do well in the bigger matches.
Best Bet: Tottenham win at 2.30
Value Bet: Tottenham win and both teams to score at 3.50
Goalscorer Tip: Kulusevski to score anytime at 4.20