Tottenham v Man Utd predictions: Expect goals as United try to rebuild

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

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event, 5.30pm Saturday

Best bet

Over 2.5 goals
2pts 4-5 Hills

Team news

Tottenham
Bryan Gil has joined Ryan Sessegnon on the sidelines.

Manchester United
Paul Pogba is suspended after his red card against Liverpool but Raphael Varane could return from a groin injury.

Match preview

Manchester United's road to recovery after last weekend's brutal 5-0 home defeat to Liverpool starts with a Premier League trip to Tottenham, who thrashed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side 6-1 at Old Trafford in October 2020.

Solskjaer managed to turn things around after that result but the market on United's next permanent manager has been heating up this week and Antonio Conte is a warm order to replace the Norwegian sooner rather than later.

The Red Devils may be in crisis but they are still favourites to win at Spurs, who kick off the game a point ahead of them in the table but have failed to convince in the early stages of Nuno Espirito Santo's tenure.

Tottenham have won five and lost four of Nuno's first nine league games in charge, scoring only nine goals, and they were well beaten by London rivals Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Arsenal in September.

A mini-revival saw them beat Aston Villa 2-1 at home and win 3-2 at Newcastle, where they fell behind in the second minute, but last weekend's limp 1-0 loss at West Ham was a setback.

Spurs have most of the same attacking personnel who starred in last season's 6-1 romp at Old Trafford, where United were already 2-1 down when Anthony Martial was sent off in the 28th minute.

They have failed to dazzle under Nuno but their visitors' defensive deficiencies should encourage them to be positive and backing over 2.5 goals looks the best bet in a clash of two inconsistent teams.

Solskjaer's side came from behind to win last term's reverse fixture 3-1 thanks to second-half goals from Fred, Edinson Cavani and Mason Greenwood, and they do not look equipped to try to grind out a 1-0 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

United have kept only one clean sheet in 13 matches in all competitions this season, away to Wolves in the league, and Spurs will fancy their chances of breaching their defence even if World Cup winner Raphael Varane is fit to partner Harry Maguire.

The warning signs were there before the Liverpool game as the Red Devils had lost 4-2 at Leicester and gone 2-0 down at home to Atalanta in the Champions League before rallying to win 3-2.

They also had to come from 1-0 down in their previous two wins, away to West Ham in the league and at home to Villarreal in Europe, and they are 9-1 with Betfair and Paddy Power to win from behind at Spurs.

Even a victory may not be enough to save Solskjaer's job – he starts the weekend at long odds-on to be the next Premier League manager to depart – but United's blend of individual attacking talent and structural weakness means he is unlikely to go out with a whimper.

Key stat

Five of Tottenham's last six league games have featured over 2.5 goals.

Inside info

Tottenham

Penalty taker Harry Kane
Free-kick wizard Harry Kane
Set-piece aerial threat Eric Dier
Card magnet Oliver Skipp

Manchester United

Penalty taker Cristiano Ronaldo/Bruno Fernandes
Free-kick wizardBruno Fernandes
Set-piece aerial threatHarry Maguire
Card magnetFred

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