Amongst the most intriguing encounters for the weekend, Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester United on Saturday as both clubs look to find positives before traveling to Europe next week. An underwhelming loss to West Ham United saw the Lilywhites fail to register their third consecutive league win last weekend while the visitors head into Saturday’s must-win tie on the back of a humiliating 0-5 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Although yet to find their stride under Nuno Espirito Santo, a 1-0 win over Burnley in the mid-week Carabao Cup tie is likely to hand Spurs the momentum heading into the weekend’s significant fixture. A win against Manchester United could take the North London outfit in the fourth position, provided they are dealt with favours elsewhere. With Harry Kane seemingly recovering from his dreadful patch of form, Spurs will be keen on finding a victory, having only won one of their last five league games against the Red Devils.
Meanwhile, Manchester United will be hoping to display a boisterous response following a dampening series of results heading into the fixture. The Red Devils are yet to find a victory in four league games, having lost three and drawn in the lead up to Saturday’s tie. Amidst mass speculation of a new managerial appointment, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to lead his team out against Spurs, with the Norwegian’s position is expected to be reviewed during the international break. Nevertheless, having only managed to take one point from a possible twelve, United will be desperate to produce a convincing performance comprising visible change on the pitch.
With Saturday’s fixture expected to be a marker of potentiality for both managers, a dampening result could result in a new managerial appointment for either club next weekend. A victory remains indispensable for both clubs as they look to stay on course for their season’s ambitions heading into the weekend.
WHEN & WHERE?
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Date: Saturday, 30th of October 2021.
Time: Kick-off at 17:30 BST.
MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee: Stuart Atwell
Assistants: Harry Lennard, Simon Long.
Fourth official: Simon Hooper.
VAR: Darren England.
Assistant VAR: Stuart Burt.
TEAM NEWS:
Tottenham Hotspur
Ryan Sessegnon continues to be sidelined due to a long-term hamstring injury while new arrival Bryan Gil is unlikely to make the matchday squad owing to a thigh injury picked up during the Carabao Cup tie against Burnley earlier this week. Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son are expected to feature in the final third with both Lucas Moura and Steven Bergwijn pushing to start alongside the star duo up-front.
Nuno is likely to stick with his established starting XI after a majority of first teams were granted rest in their EFL Cup tie earlier this week. Oliver Skipp is expected to retain his place alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in midfield, with the backline unlikely to be shuffled for Saturday’s tie.
Manchester United
Following his clattering tackle on Naby Keita last weekend, Paul Pogba sending off means that the Frenchman remains suspended for the next three league games and will only return after the international break. Raphael Varane is expected to return to the starting line-up, after returning to full training earlier this week.
Besides, with numerous underperforming players, Solskjaer could potentially make several changes to the starting line-up on Saturday. Alex Telles, Nemanja Matic, and Jadon Sancho, among others, remain in strong contention to make the starting XI, while the likes of Anthony Martial and Amad will be hoping to make the bench after recovering from injuries for Saturday’s fixture.
Match Analysis:
With both managers struggling for find consistency since the commencement of the season, Saturday’s encounter is likely to produce a lukewarm performance from both sides. Although the visitors will be keen on securing three points in hopes of challenging for the title, recent performances and the club’s narrative point towards yet another despondent result at the weekend. With the team struggling due to a lack of cohesion and several players underperforming regardless of the opponent, Solskjaer is expected to retain his trusted starting line-up whilst opting for a compact defensive structure away from home on Saturday.
On the other hand, Spurs will be keen on exploiting United’s visible weakness on the pitch in a bid to gain momentum heading into the international break. With the team yet to deliver consistent performances, the upcoming fixture offers them the opportunity to rectify their shortcomings, with the possibility of steaming ahead into a vital run of fixtures. Owing to United’s high-profile players, Nuno is expected to adopt a defensive approach whilst relying on his quick forwards and the midfield’s ability to keep possession and provide stability to find three points on Saturday.
Key Players:
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs’ most crucial midfield component, the Danish international will be key to the hosts’ performance at the weekend. With United struggling to assert their dominance in midfield, Hojbjerg’s ability to break up play and transition the ball forward will be vital to Spurs’ attacking approach and defensive shape on Saturday.
Having been amongst the few impressive performers since the beginning of the campaign, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is expected to remain vital to Nuno’s tactical set-up against United. With the team struggling to create tempting chances in the attacking third, Hojbjerg’s tenacity and technical ability could shift the tide in Spurs’ favour on Saturday.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United
Yet to find the back of the net in four league games now, Ronaldo’s ability will be vital to United’s chances of securing three points on Saturday. Although the Portuguese has been a shadow of himself in recent games, the forward remains an omnipresent threat in the attacking third.
With United keen on rectifying their mistakes, Ronaldo’s goal-poaching ability could prove to be the difference between the two sides on Saturday. The Red Devils have continually struggled to create adequate goal-scoring opportunities for their number nine, however, given the need for a victory, Ronaldo remains the likeliest to step up to the occasion this weekend.
PREDICTED LINEUPS
Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-1-3) – Hugo Lloris; Emerson Royal, Cristian Romero, Eric Dier, Sergio Reguilon; Oliver Skipp, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg; Tanguy Ndombele; Lucas Moura, Harry Kane, Heung-Min Son.
Manchester United (4-2-3-1) – David De Gea; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw; Fred, Scott McTominay; Jadon Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford; Cristiano Ronaldo.
