Man Utd v Tottenham predictions: Conte's Spurs can stay on the top-four trail

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League, 5.30pm Saturday

Best bet

Tottenham draw no bet
1pt 6-4 general

Team news

Manchester United
Raphael Varane, Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani are available but Luke Shaw and goalkeeper David de Gea (both Covid-19) are absent. Dean Henderson will start in goal while Scott McTominay (calf) is a major doubt.

Tottenham
Ryan Sessegnon (muscle injury) has joined Oliver Skipp (groin) and Japhet Tanganga (knee) on the sidelines.

Match preview

Tottenham have lived up to their reputation in recent times with a mixture of scintillating and sub-standard performances. But they remain in the Champions League qualification hunt and can move into the top five by beating Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Antonio Conte loves to show his passion and his emotions have been all over the place in recent weeks. His players hit the heights with a superb 3-2 win over Manchester City, plus demolitions of Leeds and Everton by 4-0 and 5-0, but they also plumbed the depths with 1-0 defeats at Burnley and Middlesbrough.

The Italian was pleased after Monday's thumping win over Everton, which featured two more goals for a revitalised Harry Kane, but he soon wanted to talk about the importance of delivering another big performance at Old Trafford.

Spurs have 12 games left and it will take more than six wins and six defeats to see them return to the Champions League for the first time since 2019-20.

However, there are reasons to believe that their latest victory could be the start of a more consistent phase.

For all of their recent ups and downs, Spurs have taken some big steps forward under their new manager.

Conte arrived at the club in the wake of a 3-0 loss to Manchester United, which was Tottenham's fifth loss in their opening ten league games.

Since then he has steered them to nine league wins, three draws and four defeats and there should be scope for further improvement in their remaining games with January signings Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusekski in the mix.

While Tottenham are showing signs of moving forward, it is hard to see evidence of progress from United, who seem no nearer to competing for the top prizes.

They showed plenty of ambition in last summer's transfer market but Cristiano Ronaldo's impact has waned as the season has progressed, Raphael Varane has been hampered by injuries and Jadon Sancho is only just starting to show glimpses of the skills which made him such a firm favourite at Borussia Dortmund.

The harsh reality is that United are seven points worse off than they were at the same stage of last season. They seem to be drifting, and no nearer to knowing who will be their manager next season.

Finishing in the top four looks a tough ask and the Tottenham game feels like a must-win if they are to put pressure on Arsenal, who are one point better off with three games in hand.

Spurs probably have greater hope of giving the Gunners a run for their money and they can enhance their chances by registering their second Manchester maximum in three weeks.

Key stat

Tottenham have won four of their last six Premier League away games

Inside info

Manchester United

Penalty taker Cristiano Ronaldo
Free-kick wizard Cristiano Ronaldo/Bruno Fernandes
Set-piece aerial threat Raphael Varane
Card magnet Scott McTominay

Tottenham

Penalty taker Harry Kane
Free-kick wizardHarry Kane
Set-piece aerial threatEric Dier
Card magnetRodrigo Bentancur

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