Manchester United kept their impressive form in 2018 alive after defeating Yeovil Town in the FA Cup. The team once again looked dominating, and they are yet to conceded a goal this year. The team is clicking on all cylinders, and right now it seems no team in the country can stop them.
However, The Red Devils must switch their focus quite quickly, because they will have a tough encounter in the English Premier League when they will visit Tottenham Hotspur. This game could represent the debut of Alexis Sanchez for Manchester United in the Premier League, after the Chilean registered an assist in his first game against Yeovil Town last Friday.
Team News
Manchester United have been getting healthier over the past few weeks. As a result, there should not be many absentees ahead of this game.
Similar to what happened against Yeovil, the lone three players that will be unavailable are Eric Bailly, Daley Blind and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Both the Ivorian and the Swedish are on the list of long-term absentees, while the Dutchman is doubtful due to a muscular injury. Neither is likely to take part in this game. The one player that will return is Anthony Martial, as the French did not participate on Friday’s contest against Yeovil.
On the other hand, Tottenham do not have anyone ruled out but several players are doubtful. Tony Alderweireld (thigh), Serge Aurier (ankle), Danny Rose (knee), Erik Lamela (buttocks) and Harry Winks (ankle) might not feature. The Spurs will have two important returns, though. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen will be back after missing the last two games through illness.
Form Guide
Manchester United’s started the New Year on great form, as they have won all of their games while registering three consecutive clean sheets at the Premier League level. As a result, they are in sole possession of the second place in the standings and while they still are quite far behind Manchester City on the title race, they keep fighting. Their latest result was a 4-0 win over Yeovil Town in the FA Cup, and they also registered a 1-0 win over Burnley in their last EPL match.
On the other hand, Tottenham are coming off a 1-1 draw against Newport in the FA Cup. They also drew 1-1 against Southampton in their last Premier League match, but they registered huge wins over AFC Wimbledon and Everton before. Mauricio Pochettino’s men are riding a six-game undefeated streak, but the last time they faced a Manchester side they lost 1-4 against City. Points are certainly a dire need for the Spurs, as they chase Liverpool for the fourth place in the standings. Right now they are two points back of the final UEFA Champions League group stage berth.
The last time these two sides met, Manchester United escaped with a 1-0 win over the Spurs at Old Trafford. Anthony Martial scored the lone goal of that game.
Prediction
Manchester United have kicked off 2018 with five straight wins across all competitions, and they are also getting healthier at the right time. Considering their recent form they could be considered as favourites, but Tottenham is not an easy opponent, and they will surely try to leave points at home as well. As such, I reckon this closely-contested game might end in a draw.
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