Following a run of conceding the opener in three straight games, Manchester United have recovered to record successive clean sheets ahead of this potentially pivotal encounter with Tottenham Hotspur. United will hope to be in and around the top-four by the end of the season, but they currently sit seven points in arrears of third-placed Spurs, and as such, this appears to be a must win for Erik ten Hag’s men.
The Red Devils have won the last three Premier League (PL) H2Hs, although they’ve not posted a run of four straight victories against Tottenham since 2009-10. Yet finally matching that run could be on the cards as United are unbeaten in 12 of their last 13 PL home games (W7, D5), a run which includes impressive wins over league leaders Arsenal, and Liverpool.
Even though Tottenham have been hampered by injuries to key players such as Richarlison and Kulusevski, they remain in the hunt at the top of the table following a run of 15 unbeaten games across the last 16 in PL action (W11, D4). Their only defeat during that time came against their bitter rivals Arsenal, and they can now move into second with victory here.
Spurs boss Antonio Conte spoke fondly of his old player Christian Eriksen in the build up, stating that he would “like to have him in my squad again”. Unfortunately for him, Conte will face off against the creative Dane here, as the Spurs boss looks to end a trend that’s seen the home side on the day finish with all three points in all seven of his personal H2Hs against United (W4, L3).
Key battle: David De Gea became just the 11th player to reach 500 appearances for Manchester United on Sunday, and seven of his 170 clean sheets during that time came in the 20 H2Hs against Spurs. Trying to keep him away from Schmeichel’s all-time club record of 180 clean sheets will be Harry Kane, who is enjoying his most prolific start to a PL season with nine goals. He could now become the first Tottenham player to score in six straight PL appearances with another here.
Hot stat: Tottenham have failed to win six of their last nine PL games played on a Wednesday (D2, L4).
