The Big Match: Man Utd v Tottenham stats, team news, prediction & TV channel

Premier League: Man Utd v Tottenham

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event, 5.30pm Saturday

Match odds

Man Utd 23-20 Tottenham 5-2 Draw 13-5

Form

Consistency has evaded Tottenham, who have won four, lost three and drawn one (which they went on to lose in extra-time) of their last eight matches heading into Saturday's crunch clash with Manchester United.

Antonio Conte's side have blown hot and cold recently, following up an FA Cup exit at the hands of Middlesbrough with a 5-0 dismantling of Everton on Monday night and it is hard to predict which Tottenham side is going to pitch up at Old Trafford.

If they produce the same kind of performance they did against Everton then they should stand a chance of taking points off United, who were thrashed in last Sunday's Manchester derby.

That defeat prompted further calls for a change in the Old Trafford dugout and the final Champions League berth is looking further and further out of reach for both clubs.

Team news

Man Utd
Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo, who both missed the Manchester derby, continue to be assessed, while Luke Shaw and Raphael Varane are unlikely to feature.

Tottenham
Japhet Tanganga, Oliver Skipp and Ryan Sessegnon are the only absentees for Spurs.

The tactical battle

With Manchester United averaging around 53 per cent of the ball this season and Tottenham 51 per cent, neither side focuses on monopolising possession and they both suit playing on the counter.

United, however, bravely opted to deploy a 4-2-2-2 system against City with Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba paired up front. Ultimately, they paid the price.

Scott McTominay often found himself out of position, leaving City plenty of space to exploit between the back four and midfield, and with Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga so far advanced there were gaps down the flanks.

With their 3-4-2-1 formation, Tottenham should be able to capitalise on similar errors with pacy duo Dejan Kulusevski and Heung-min Son out wide.

Verdict

Given Arsenal are galloping away in the top-four race, avoiding defeat is arguably more important than victory for these sides on Saturday as neither will want to be out of Champions League contention too early in the season.

If both opt to soak up pressure and rely on breaks then it will likely end all-square and given United have drawn eight Premier League games this term, the draw looks a big runner.

Man Utd 1 Tottenham 1

Key stats

• Manchester United have drawn six games in 2022
• Four of Manchester United's last eight matches have finished 1-1
• Tottenham's league fixtures this season average 2.77 goals per game

Not got a bet365 account? Bet £10 & get £50 in free bets

Open account offer. Minimum deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as bet credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Minimum odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude bet credits stake. Time limits/T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport