Tottenham can be proud of the fact that they are arguably the best team of the English Premier league, with their attractive football and tidy defense. However, after all their hard work, they fell just short at the final stages. Their 1:0 away loss to West Ham has cost them of their title challenge, as it gave the Now Champions Chelsea FC chance to seal the title with a win at West Brom this Friday, which they did. Now Spurs will look to maintain their second position in the league.
Visitors Manchester United have had a tough season. Strong organized play, but lack of ruthless finishing and poor luck with injuries has dented their top four challenge, as they now hope to secure Champions League football through the Europa league trophy, which they can claim if they win the final against Ajax.
Important to note about this clash is the fact that it will be the final match ever played at the legendary White Hart Line, which is going to be demolished after this season as they Spurs are moving to a new 61.000 capacity stadium going into the new season!!!
TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS FC vs. MANCHESTER UNITED FC
3-Way: 1: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR -116; X: +280 Draw; 2: MANCHESTER UNITED: +403
Spread -0.5: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR-122; MANCHESTER UNITED +118
Total +2.5: Over +102; Under +104
TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS FC
For the second time in a row, Tottenham’s title challenge has faltered in the finishing end of the English Premier League campaign. Last year, in the ‘Battle of the Bridge’, a late Eden Hazard stunner sealed the title for Leicester, and ended Spurs’ title hopes. This year, West Ham defeated them, to end their title hopes after Chelsea capitalized on their slip up. Nevertheless, Tottenham has been very good throughout the season.
Watching them when on song is a treat to the eyes. Incisive, ruthless attacking play, along with a solidly balanced midfield, topped with a watertight defense, Spurs have almost all the components of a championship winning team. For the second year running, they have put pressure on the top, albeit with no end result, but these are surely positive signs for Mauricio Pochettino’s men, who are a young, talented group with a bright future ahead of them.
The main component of Tottenham’s performances this season has been a near impenetrable home form. Of the 77 points earned, 50 points have been earned at White Hart Lane, the stadium that they will be leaving for the next two years, as it will be under construction. Their unbeaten form at home has been a reason for their massive number of wins. Their current home league record is 6-0-0.
Two weeks ago, they won the North London Derby against Arsenal by 2:0, at home. This was followed by a 1:0 defeat to West Ham, which basically handed the title over to Chelsea. The fact that a 4:0 win has been the most common results for the North Londoners, shows their attacking intent and solidity at the back.
When you are one of the best teams in attack and defense both, it is only normal that you challenge for the league title. Tottenham has scored a massive 71 goals so far in the English Premier League, with 45 of them coming at home. When it comes to defense, Spurs are second to none, with 16 clean sheets to their name. They have conceded only 23 goals the entire league season till now. Such a combination of attack and defense has ensured them a Champions league group stage spot for the next season!!!
English youngster Harry Kane has set the English Premier league alight with his scoring. Even after having two spells of injury, where he was out for almost a month each time, he has managed to score an astonishing 21 league goals so far, along with 6 assists. Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen has 12 assists to his name, which is the second highest in the league. His deadly setpiece technique means he also has 8 goals. Other than these two, there are other attacking threats in the team too. South Korean forward Hueng-min Son has scored 12 times and assisted 4 times, while youngster Dele Alli has 17 goals and 5 assists to his name. Their captain Hugo Lloris has 15 clean sheets to his name.
Tottenham has three players who will be missing the rest of the season. Argentine winger Erik Lamela is out with hip injury, while youngster Harry Winks is out due to an ankle injury suffered in April. Defender Carter Vickers is out with a Knee Injury suffered towards the end of April.
MANCHESTER UNITED
When Jose Mourinho was announced as the manager for this season and beyond, fans looked forward to a successful season in the English Premier League and a solid style of football as expected of Mourinho’s team. Big singings like Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba looked to be the stepping stone towards a good season.
However, profligacy in front of the goal, injury troubles, and big players being inconsistent, all have resulted in United being stuck in the 6th position for what it seems like eternity. Such is their position in the league table, that coach Mourinho has shifted his priorities to the Europa League trophy, something he despised and disregarded his entire previous career.
Manchester United has surely improved when it comes to game play. They are playing more attacking football than they used to under Louis Van Gal, but still, the wins don’t seem to come. Sitting at 6th position in the English Premier League, since a very long time, they have accumulated 65 points, with 34 of them coming in away games. Their current away record in the league over the last 6 games is 4-1-1. They have been winless in their last two league games. A 1:1 home draw against Swansea was followed by a dampening 0:2 defeat to Arsenal, which effectively ended their top 4 hopes. Nine 1:1 draws in the English Premier league show how frustrating this season has been for the Red Devils.
With an age-defying Ibrahimovic leading the line, Manchester United has been scoring a decent amount of goals. They have scored 51 goals in the league so far, with 24 of them coming at home. It’s their defense which is showing signs of a real Jose Mourinho team. They have conceded only 27 goals this season, with 15 of those goals conceded in away games. They have kept an impressive 14 clean sheets in the league till now.
When Zlatan was signed on a free transfer, everyone said the 35 year old will find the league difficult to cope with. However, he has swatted away the critics as he leads the line for Manchester united with aplomb, and has scored 17 goals in his debut season. Spanish midfield enforcer Ander Herrera is leading the assists charts for United this season, with 6 assists in the league till date. Goalkeeper David de Gea has 14 clean sheets for the red devils. Only 2 other keepers have more clean sheets in the league.
Injuries are the area which has effectively damaged United’s top four challenge. Youngster Ro Shaun Williams and top scorer Zalatan Ibrahimovic are both out for the season with knee injuries. Joining them in the treatment table for the season are defenders Marcos Rojo (cruciate ligament injury), Luke Shaw( ankle injury) and midfielders Timothy Fosu Mensah( dislocated shoulder) and Ashely young( Hamstring Strain). Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini is suspended for the match.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS FC vs. MANCHESTER UNITED FC MATCH PREDICTION
Even though Spurs cannot win the title now, the last thing their fans will be hoping for is their unbeaten home record to be lost to a top 6 opponent. And moreover, this being their last home game, after which White Hart Lane will be demolished, Spurs would want to go out on a positive note.
Manchester United has a mountain to climb if they are to finish inside the top 4. So, instead of a top 4 finish, Mourinho has prioritized the Europa League trophy. This means, that there is a heavy chance that Mourinho will play a weakened side on Sunday, in the hopes of preventing any more injuries and put his season in the risk of a poor end.
Therefore, it will be safe to say that Man Utd won’t be beating Spurs this Sunday. So, my prediction will be a narrow Spurs win.
MY PICK: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC (-116)
