Manchester United v Tottenham
Sunday 15th March, 16:00
Manchester United will come into Sunday’s fixture with confidence, buoyed by the fact that they have won five of their last seven league fixtures. The Red Devils are going in search of their third win on the bounce to try and lengthen their run, which could see them move ahead of Arsenal into third place once more.
United will be looking for another impressive performance from their Spanish international shot stopper David de Gea this weekend. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that he has already made 77 saves this season, at an average of 2.96 saves per goal conceded. He will hope to deliver his third clean sheet in a row to help take all three points, also for the third game on the bounce.
In the middle of the park, the Red Devils will hope that Juan Mata can deliver another typically astute performance. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, the Spain international midfielder has completed 825 passes this season, with an 89.7% completion rate. He will look to dictate the tempo of the game, whilst also posing a goal scoring threat, having score five times this season, converting 71.4% of his seven attempts on target.
Up top, Wayne Rooney will likely be playing in his preferred position again, and doing what he does best; scoring goals. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that the England international captain has converted 52.6% of his shots on target this season, leaving him with a tally of 10 goals for the season so far. He has also completed a squad best 723 passes in the opposition area, and having covered a squad best 264.4km so far this term, will be a threat throughout the 90 minutes with his range of passing and goal scoring ability. He is 10/7 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
Tottenham will come into this fixture with a good record at Old Trafford, having won here in the last two seasons and having also won their last two league fixtures. Spurs are likewise looking for a third win on the bounce, which would see them move level on points with their hosts.
Spurs will hope that their ever-dependable shot stopper Hugo Lloris can continue his first class form this weekend to help Tottenham take all three points. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that the France international captain has made 94 saves already this season, at an average of 2.4 saves per goal conceded. He will hope that a clean sheet will be enough to seal Spurs’ third win on the bounce and make the journey from London all the more worthwhile.
In the middle of the park, Christian Eriksen is simply having a wonderful season. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, the Danish international midfielder has covered 312.8km already this campaign; more than anyone else in the Premier League. Hard work is the key to his success, and it has seen him rack up nine goals and three assists already this term, also completing a squad best 845 passes in the opponent’s half. United will need to get close to him early on to ensure that he is not able to dictate the tempo of the game from the outset.
Up top, Harry Kane has continued his astonishing form in the Premier League, having scored 11 goals in nine games since the sides last met in December. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that his 16 goals this term have come at an average of every 105.4 minutes, and that he has converted 48.5% of his shots on target into goals. He is 2/1 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
Following a run of 17 wins and no defeats in 22 Barclays Premier League matches against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United have won none of the last five meetings (D3 L2).
Manchester United v Tottenham Match Facts:
- Spurs are only the third team in the Premier League era to go five league games unbeaten against the Red Devils, after Liverpool (2000-2002) and Blackburn Rovers (2004-2006).
- Similarly, after 26 games without defeat at home to Spurs in all competitions, having won the previous nine in a row, Man Utd have lost their last two home games against Tottenham.
- Spurs have kept just one clean sheet in their last 12 Premier League away matches.
- Rooney has scored 94 goals at Old Trafford, only Alan Shearer with 97 at St James Park (two for Blackburn) and Thierry Henry with 114 at Highbury have scored more goals on one single ground in Premier League history.
- The Red Devils have won 11 of their last 13 Premier League matches at Old Trafford (D1 L1).
- Manchester United have lost just two of their last 18 Premier League matches (W12 D4 L2)
Facts compiled from Yahoosport
Manchester United v Tottenham Possible Lineups:
Manchester United: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Rojo, Shaw, Blind, Herrera, Januzaj, Fellaini, Young, Rooney
Tottenham: Lloris, Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Davies; Bentaleb, Mason; Chadli, Eriksen, Townsend; Kane
Manchester United v Tottenham Prediction:
A 2-1 win for the home side.