Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur: Expect a Low-Scoring Encounter

• Manchester United were held to a 0-0 draw by Newcastle United last time out
• Tottenham beat Everton on Saturday to stay in touch with the top of the table
• This is an opportunity for both teams to lay down a market - but also a risk

Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur Odds

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Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur Pick

The Whites tend to start games quickly, but the Gunners have demonstrated that they can match anyone for speed of play so far this season.

Back under 2.5 goals when Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspur in the pick of the midweek fixtures in the Premier League. (+115)

Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur Predictions

Manchester United Fail to Shine in Stalemate Against Newcastle

Manchester United are struggling to build up momentum in the Premier League. They certainly had it a little earlier in the campaign following consecutive victories over Liverpool, Southampton, Leicester City, and Arsenal, but the Red Devils have started to stutter again.

Erik ten Hag’s team were outclassed by Manchester City following the September international break, going down 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium. They bounced back to beat Everton 2-1 on either side of the unconvincing home and away wins against Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League, before being held to a 0-0 draw by Newcastle United at the weekend.

United huffed and puffed when Eddie Howe’s men came to town, but they could not find a way through. A draw was a fair result, and the Magpies will have left Old Trafford a little frustrated that they did not bring all three points back to the northeast of England with them. There was little coherence to United’s attacking play, with the absence of Christian Eriksen sorely felt.

Ten Hag’s debut campaign at Old Trafford will be a transitional one. The former Ajax boss is caught between wanting to impose his principles on his new team and being forced to adapt to the realities of the situation. This United side is not built to play the type of soccer Ten Hag promoted at Ajax, so right now he is focused on finding the right balance between his philosophy and the need to be pragmatic.

It is working to an extent, but United have a fight on to finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League. They head into the midweek round of fixtures three points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea, a gap that Ten Hag will not want to see getting much bigger.

Tottenham Got Job Done Again but Still Room for Improvement

Tottenham Hotspur ran out 2-0 winners against Everton on Saturday. After a fast start failed to yield an early goal, Spurs struggled to create clear-cut opportunities for much of the first half, and Everton gradually grew in confidence as their defensive efforts began to frustrate their opponents.

However, a Harry Kane spot-kick opened up the game in the 59th minute, after Jordan Pickford’s poor handling gave the Spurs striker the chance to draw a penalty from his international team-mate. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg made sure of the three points with his third goal of the season late on.

There was no doubt that Tottenham were worthy winners, but for long periods they struggled to break down a dogged Everton rearguard. That is a shortcoming Antonio Conte’s side will have to resolve if they are to challenge for the Premier League title this term. So far this season, the Spurs’ results have been better than their performances.

That is not necessarily a bad thing. After all the table is ranked by points, an objective measure. Tottenham will be pleased that they are keeping pace with Arsenal and Manchester City, and not too concerned that their all-round displays have perhaps not been quite as convincing as those of Mikel Arterta’s men or Pep Guardiola’s side.

However, Spurs could do with a statement performance and victory at some point, particularly as they lost the first north London derby of the campaign at the beginning of the month. In August, meanwhile, they were outplayed by Chelsea in a 2-2 draw. Wednesday’s trip to Old Trafford provides Tottenham with an opportunity to lay down a marker in a game against a fellow member of English soccer’s big six.

Tight and Cagey More Likely Than Open and Expansive Here

United’s best performances this season have come when they have been able to play on the counter-attack.

They were worthy winners against Liverpool on matchday three despite having just 29 percent of possession in front of their own fans. That figure rose slightly to a still-low 39 percent when Arsenal visited Old Trafford - and left having suffered a 3-1 defeat by Ten Hag’s men.

There is a feeling, too, that Tottenham are more comfortable when able to take a slightly more reactive approach in the biggest games.

That is how the north London derby panned out, although Spurs were forced deep primarily because Arsenal took control of the match. Even so, Conte is not a manager who eulogizes possession like some of his peers.

This match is more likely to be tight and cagey than open and expansive, with both teams happy to leave the ball to the other in a bid to open up space in transition. Neither manager will allow the game to become an end-to-end thriller, and one or two goals might be all we are treated to. Back under 2.5 in total.

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