Premier League preview: Manchester United and Tottenham face off at the top of the table
The stakes are high as Manchester United and Tottenham prepare to face each other in the Premier League in the late kick-off on Saturday, 30 October.
A win would see United retain second place in the league — though they may trail Arsenal on goal difference — while Spurs are playing to fend off West Bromwich Albion's bid for fifth place in the table.
Hypothetically, the Londoners could claim second place in the table if they win at Old Trafford, but for that to happen Manchester City and Arsenal must lose their respective fixtures against Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United.
Harry Redknapp's team will be confident after making a determined start to their domestic season and to their first ever Champions League bid.
In their last game against first-class opposition, Spurs lost 4–3 away to Inter Milan, but will feel encouraged by Gareth Bale's impressive hat-trick in the second half.
On Saturday, new signing Rafael van der Vaart will look to continue his strong form for the Londoners, having featured and scored against Everton on 23 October after being suspended for the match against Inter.
United must stop Bale
Bale's presence will likely see United crowd their right side with defensive players. Right-back Gary Neville, United's captain, will likely be partnered by the defensively apt Darren Fletcher on the right side of midfield.
Antonio Valencia, who suffered a dreadful leg injury against Rangers FC on 14 September, will remain on the sidelines until February next year, while Ryan Giggs and Michael Owen have both been ruled out of the game with hamstring injuries.
Wayne Rooney is still out with an ankle problem, but the Englishman is not Ferguson's only option in attack.
Young striker Javier Hernandez, who has been widely praised after scoring three goals in his last two games for United, is likely to start for United. The Spurs defence will be on their toes against the quick Mexican.
With central defenders Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Dawson still out, William Gallas and Younes Kaboul are likely to form Redknapp's defensive pairing. Their lack of pace could become a concern against the likes of Nani and Hernandez.
Long-term absentees Vedran Corluka, Jamie O'Hara and Jermain Defoe will not feature for Spurs.
United on a 22-game unbeaten streak against Spurs
Spurs have not won against United since their 3–1 victory at White Hart Lane ten years ago. Ferguson's men have gone 22 games without being beaten by Saturday's opponents.
This season, United have performed far better at Old Trafford than they have on the road, where the team have won only one of their five fixtures. In Manchester, the team have conceded four goals in as many games, while averaging nearly three goals scored
per game.
Since their goalless draw with Manchester City on the first day of the season, Tottenham have failed to keep a clean sheet in the league.
Doing so at Old Trafford would be a remarkable achievement, given the circumstances and the form of United's attackers.
Tags: