Tottenham Hotspur versus Manchester United: Key Battles
Everyone has their eye on this weekend’s clash between two of the league’s most in-form teams. Tottenham were beaten by Manchester United at old Trafford earlier in the season, by 2 goals to nil, courtesy of some horrendous refereeing decisions.
Harry Redknapp felt that his team showed good performance on the night and deserved something out of that game. Luis http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nani-c27299 scored one of the most controversial goals of the season and handed Manchester United a win.
Manchester Untied have now gone 20 league games without a defeat and would love to extend that run to 21 against a highly talented Spurs side.
Bettor.com has come up with some key battles for this game, which we believe can have a major impact on the final score line. The team that wins most of these battles is expected to come away with all three points.
1. Rafael Van der Vaart versus http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michael-Carrick-c25282
This is the one, which if Carrick loses, Manchester United will lose. Van der Vaart has been a sensation since his arrival from Spanish capital and has 9 league goals to his name – most by a midfielder in the league this season.
Yes we know what http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gareth-Bale-c14422 is capable of doing but the Dutchman is Tottenham’s main man. He is their link between the midfield and attack and his late runs into the box have been far too clever for most teams this season.
Michael Carrick has only recently cemented his place in the side as he was suffering from a lack of confidence. He is expected to be the deepest of three-man central midfield, along with Fletcher and Anderson.
Carrick needs to be on his toes to stop the mobile Dutchman but at the same time he cannot afford to get too tight on him, as his nibble footwork can easily beat him.
This is going to be one of many crucial battles on the pitch but it can be the decisive one, especially if Carrick loses it out.
2. Gareth Bale versus Rafael da Silva
Sir Alex must be disappointed over the fact that Ji Sung Park is not available for him this time around. He has been United’s big match player this season and his energy level would have meant that this battle would have been between Bale and Rafael plus
Park.
However, the little Brazilian has to be at the top of his game to have any chance of stopping the unstoppable Welshman.
There is nothing really left to be said about Bale this season. He is at worst frightening and a right back's nightmare. He can run at you with pace and cut you in half at any given moment and if not, he can whip in those deadly crosses with his cultured
left foot.
Not many teams have figured out how to stop him, when on song, but Manchester united will need to double up on him, even if it means playing Nani on the left and Rooney on the right, with Berbatov up front.
3. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wayne-Rooney-c36736
This might not be a direct confrontation but Dawson will need to be on his toes and make sure Rooney does not get in behind him at any time in the game. Defence has been Spurs' major problem this season and with Nani being one of the top providers this season,
Rooney will fancy his chances against him at dodgy defence.
Rooney, who was a doubt for this one but is now expected to start, has only scored twice all season. Although he has missed quite a few games, that scoring record compared to 34 in all competitions last season does not really match up.
If United need to register their third win of the season they need a fired up Rooney, who is expected to play on his own upfront with Berbatov dropping to the bench.
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