English Premier
2012-09-29 - Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 29 September 2012 - Kick Off 5:30pm
This game is live on TV
Manchester United
The performances haven't been great so far this season, but Manchester United won't worry too much about that as they continue picking up wins in both League and Cup competitions. Injuries are still taking their toll on the squad as they get ready for a tough couple of weeks before the international break.
United have picked up a 12 points out of a possible 15 this season and that sees them up to 2nd in the Premier League table and only 1 point behind Chelsea. They can take over at the top if Chelsea fail to win at the Emirates Stadium earlier in the day. United have won both home games in the League this season, scoring 7 goals and conceding 2 and they have also won both Cup games they have played at Old Trafford.
Since losing at Everton to open the season, United have won 6 straight games in all competitions including the 2-1 win over Newcastle in the Capital One Cup. The side are unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions at Old Trafford, winning 9 of those games.
Nemanja Vidic, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Ashley Young are all missing for Sir Alex Ferguson, but Wayne Rooney is back in contention having played in the Capital One Cup game. Rio Ferdinand, Rafael, Patrice Evra, Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick and Robin Van Persie should all be back in the side after being rested during the week.
Tottenham Hotspur
Andre Villa-Boas was under some real pressure early in his time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, but the side are beginning to churn out the results and the fans are also coming on board with what the Portuguese manager is trying to do. However, this game will be a real test of their credentials and where exactly Spurs are at the moment.
They did move up to 8th in the Premier League with come from behind win over Queens Park Rangers last weekend and they have picked up 8 points so far this season. That means Spurs are more than in touch with the leading sides in the League as they bring their 1-0-1 away record to Manchester. Spurs have scored 4 goals and conceded 3 in their two away games and also earned a 0-3 win at Carlisle United in the Capital One Cup during the week.
Spurs are unbeaten in their last 6 games in all competitions following a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United to open the season. They didn't earn a win in their first 3 games, but have now won 3 in 4 in all competitions including back to back Premier League games. Spurs have lost just 2 of their last 7 away games in the League.
Younes Kaboul and Benoit Assou-Ekotto are missing, but the likes of Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor could return to the squad. Kyle Naughton should return to the left back role.
Head to Head
Manchester United did the double over Tottenham Hotspur in the League last season, beating them 1-3 at White Hart Lane and 3-0 at Old Trafford.
United have dominated Spurs in recent seasons and are unbeaten in 26 games in all competitions, while they haven't lost at Old Trafford since 1989.
United have also won 9 in a row at home against Spurs in all competitions.
Prediction
I haven't been impressed with the way Manchester United have played this season, although they are grinding out the results and that is all that really matters at the moment.
They have a great head to head record against Tottenham Hotspur and I think they will increase their recent dominance of them in this game, although I am a little concerned with the defensive shape and the amount of chances that they are offering teams.
Spurs have also been fairly threatening going forward for the most part, although struggling at the back too so it is understandable that the layers are pricing the overs so low.
It just seems a weekend where many of the games look like they could provide goals and this is no different. I like United to win the game, although it may come after both teams score and so I am going to take the 3.40 being offered by Paddy Power that the home side win with at least 3/4 goals scored in the game.
This would be a winner in over half of United's last 7 home wins against Spurs and would also have been satisfied in both League games they played last season.
A 2-1 or 3-1 home win wouldn't surprise me in this one so I'll have a small interest on this pick.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Manchester United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
