Pundits make their Spurs-Man Utd predictions

Manchester United are at Wembley Stadium to take on Tottenham Hotspur as we return to Premier League action on Sunday.

Mauricio Pochettino’s current team head into the weekend third in the table, coming off the back of a 7-0 thrashing of Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup last Friday and then beating Chelsea 1-0 in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final on Tuesday.

We are on a five-game winning streak since Ole Gunnar Solksjaer replaced Jose Mourinho but Sunday’s trip to North London will be the Norwegian’s toughest yet.

Eric Bailly will sit out the final game of his three-match ban whilst both Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo are injured. This means Phil Jones and Victor Lindelof will be our centre-back partnership. The duo partnered each other to keep a clean sheet versus Newcastle United in our last Premier League outing.

Tottenham are missing a few midfielders with Eric Dier, Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama all sidelined. Lucas Moura will undergo a late fitness test to see if he is available on Sunday, whilst this game may come too early for centre-back Jan Vertonghen to make his return from injury.

Here are what the pundits have predicted for this weekend’s game:

Paul Merson

“If you’d have asked me two weeks ago I would have said United did not have a chance, not a chance. But having watched Spurs at Wembley against Chelsea and Wolves, United have every chance now. Spurs let a half-time lead slip against Wolves, didn’t have a shot on target in the second half and lost 3-1. Some put that down to tiredness but I’m not having any of that. Three days later they looked like the Harlem Globetrotters when they ripped Cardiff apart inside 20 minutes – they didn’t look knackered then, did they?

Spurs have opened the door to United but I think both teams won’t be able to live with each other going forward. United are shockingly poor defensively, even the teams they’ve beaten recently looked like scoring every time they went forward. Sooner or later that catches up with you. I see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s winning start at United coming to an end but a great result for him at Wembley.”

Paul Merson’s prediction: 2-2

Robbie Savage

Robbie Savage’s prediction: Tottenham 1-2 Manchester United

Mark Lawrenson

“This is a big test for United caretaker Solskjaer and it will be interesting to see whether he will be as attack-minded at Wembley as in his first five games.

It is quite possible United will not have the same amount of possession they have enjoyed in those matches – if not, they will need a different approach.

There was more news about Tottenham’s stadium this week but if it is not going to be ready until March, they are better off staying at Wembley until the end of the season.

Moving grounds mid-season is something no Premier League team has done before, let alone one that might be challenging for the title at that late stage of the campaign and also trying to progress in the Champions League.

If Spurs can wait until the summer to move, then they should do.”

Mark Lawrenson’s prediction: 2-1 Spurs

Tottenham vs Manchester United Betting Tips

Both teams have been scoring for fun lately and we ourselves have only kept three clean sheets in the Premier League this season. Bet on both teams to score (4/7 with BetUK).

Tottenham have won six of their last seven in the league and we have won five straight. Spurs are long overdue their first draw of the season. Bet on a draw (13/5 with BetUK).

Marcus Rashford has scored in three of his four Premier League matches under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Back the striker to score (5/2 with BetUK).