Manchester United vs Tottenham Picks and Predictions: Spurs Thrive at Old Trafford

It’s a “Big Six” showdown in the Premier League on Wednesday, as Manchester United seek a fourth consecutive win over Tottenham Hotspur.

The Red Devils have not lost to the London side since a 6-1 defeat in 2020, but Spurs have claimed victory at Old Trafford in two of their last four visits.

Both teams come into the match with injury concerns at key positions, but one side seems better suited to deal with their missing weapon. Find out which one it is in our EPL picks and predictions for Manchester United vs. Tottenham below. 

Manchester United vs Tottenham best odds

Manchester United vs Tottenham picks and predictions

Manchester United were fortunate to escape their match with Newcastle with a point. The Magpies were without striker Aleksander Isak and winger Allan Saint-Maximin, and yet still managed to have four or five outstanding chances to score.

Joelinton will consider himself quite unlucky to have not given Newcastle all three points, as he struck the woodwork with two different shots inside a three-second span. Even then, United should have stolen the points themselves, missing two outstanding chances in stoppage time.

The Red Devils greatly missed the vision and work rate of Christian Eriksen, who missed the fixture with an illness. His availability for Wednesday’s match is in serious doubt, and without him in the lineup in either of their last two matches, they’ve attempted 49 shots with just one goal. Much of the United attack in his absence has been based around crosses blindly sent into the area, with no real chance of success.

Their opponents are dealing with a key absence of their own. Much of their recent success has come with the insertion of Richarlison into the lineup, with the Brazilian being in fine form. However, he was forced off in their 2-0 win over Everton at the weekend and now faces questions about his availability for the World Cup.

Thankfully for the visitors, they still have Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son to lead the line. Son has been resurgent since his hat trick off the bench against Leicester, with two goals and an assist in his last three matches in all competitions. Meanwhile, Tottenham’s talisman Kane has now scored in eight of his 10 Premier League matches this season — including five straight — after his penalty against Everton.

Manchester United lack the ability to break defenses down without Eriksen’s vision in midfield. That will make things even more difficult against a Tottenham side defending fairly well at the moment, with clean sheets in three of their last four matches. While their defensive shape and performance have improved, the Red Devils are still leaking a bit at the back and have shown they can give up chances.

That will likely be their downfall against Tottenham, who despite missing Richarlison and Kulusevski will still have Kane and Son ready to pounce on any mistakes. If United give those two any of the chances that Newcastle failed to convert, it will cost them dearly. Take Tottenham to win, with a draw returning your wager.

My best bet: Tottenham draw no bet (+112 at FanDuel)

Manchester United vs Tottenham side analysis

Manchester United are coming off their first draw under Erik ten Hag, having won five and lost three of their first nine Premier League matches. They’ve taken big wins over Liverpool and Arsenal at home already this season, but have taken just seven points from 12 at home.

Tottenham’s only defeat in the league this season was a 3-1 loss at Arsenal in the North London Derby, in which Emerson Royal was sent off. He will serve the final match of his suspension on Wednesday, as Spurs seek their eighth victory in 11 matches in the league. They’ve drawn twice and won twice in their other four matches away from home. 

Tottenham has lost just once in their last 16 matches in the league, while United have lost just twice in their last 17 at home. However, Spurs have won in two of their last four visits to Old Trafford. 

United are favored at home, with the line having dropped prior to their draw with Newcastle. But their performance at the weekend has seen the line move back toward parity, with all three-way options sitting at plus odds.

Manchester United vs Tottenham Over/Under analysis

The total of 2.5 has seen the public hammer the Over since opening last weekend. However, the price came down over the weekend after United struggled to score against Omonia Nicosia in Europa League on Thursday, where they needed a stoppage-time winner to secure a win on their 34th shot of the match.

Prior to the Newcastle draw, their other three home matches in the Premier League all saw three or more goals scored. They’ve seen three or more goals scored in six of nine matches in the league this season, including all three against “Big Six” clubs.

Tottenham has seen just two of its five away matches go Over the total of 2.5 goals, both of which also came in “Big Six” showdowns. Its last two league matches have seen two or fewer goals, as Spurs have kept clean sheets in both. 

The last five meetings between these two clubs in all competitions at Old Trafford have seen at least three goals scored, and that mark has also been reached in the last three at all venues. 

Manchester United vs Tottenham game info

Manchester United vs Tottenham key injuries

Manchester United: Christian Eriksen M (Questionable), Anthony Martial F (Doubtful), Harry Maguire D (Out). .
Tottenham: Richarlison F (Out), Dejan Kulusevski M (Doubtful), Emerson Royal D (Out)..

Manchester United vs Tottenham weather

Rain could be an issue for the players on Wednesday evening, as the forecast calls for showers off and on throughout the day. Temperatures at kickoff will be in the high-40s, with close to a 50% chance of precipitation. 

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