Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester United Prediction: Underachievers Lock Horns

• This has been a poor season for Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United

• Both teams are in the bottom half of the EPL table after 24 rounds of fixtures

• Will one of Spurs or United pick up a much-needed victory on Sunday?

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester United Odds

The odds for Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester United are provided by the Caesars Sportsbook, which offers Bet $1, Get 10 100% Profit Boost Tokens

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester United Pick

Back Tottenham Hotspur to beat Manchester United in this crunch clash. Ange Postecoglou desperately needs a win and we reckon he will get it.

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Postecoglou Feeling the Heat as Pressure on Manager Builds

Ange Postecoglou launched an impassioned defense of his Tottenham Hotspur team after a 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa last weekend, but the Australian is under huge pressure. Spurs have slid down the Premier League standings in recent months, but they were still alive in three cup competitions. Yet in the past week, they have been knocked out of the EFL Cup and the FA Cup.

That has cast fresh doubt on Postecoglou’s position. In his defense, Tottenham have barely had one: injuries to key members of the backline have made everything more difficult of late. Spurs have also missed midfielders and attackers. Of all 20 Premier League clubs, they have been hardest hit by absences this term.

Even so, Tottenham should not be 14th in the table. Postecoglou has failed to adapt to the changing circumstances. Even when he was fielding young players out of position in defense, the Tottenham boss refused to compromise on his principles. That meant those youngsters were left exposed without sufficient protection in front of them.

Postecoglou’s front-footed, attack-minded strategy produces some glorious soccer on its day, such as when Tottenham beat Manchester United 3-0 in the reverse fixture. But it also gives opponents ample opportunities to create chances, and more streetwise teams have taken full advantage of Spurs’ openness. 

The fans have not yet turned on Postecoglou, though, with most of their ire directed at Daniel Levy, the long-serving and increasingly unpopular chairman. Spurs may stick with the Australian for as long as they are in the Europa League. But results are king in this sport and another few Premier League defeats could bring the end for yet another Tottenham manager.

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Manchester United Hope Short-Term Pain Is Eventually Worth It

When Manchester United hired Ruben Amorim in November, they were 13th in the Premier League table. Almost three months later and United occupy the exact same position in the standings. It is fair to say Amorim has not had the smoothest start to his Old Trafford tenure.

The Portuguese is wedded to the 3-4-2-1 formation that brought him considerable success at Sporting CP. Amorim has continually asserted that he will not deviate from his favored system. “I was hired because of my idea,” was his reasonable response when asked whether he was tempted to switch things up.

Amorim clearly hopes that short-term pain will lead to long-term gain. Right now, though, United are really struggling to adapt to the new shape. Arguably the only player who the 3-4-2-1 suits is Lisandro Martinez, and he has been struck down by a serious knee injury. 

Amorim has also made some questionable selection decisions, including the bizarre deployment of Kobbie Mainoo, a central midfielder by trade, as a false nine in a 2-0 defeat by Crystal Palace the weekend before last. United’s problems run much deeper than the manager, but Amorim could do with stringing a run of positive results (and, crucially, performances) together.

It is more likely that United limp over the finish line in the Premier League before attempting another rebuild in the summer. Whereas the FA Cup and the Europa League provide chances for a trophy, there is not much United can achieve in the top flight from their present position. 

These are tough days for the 20-time English champions, who appear to be as far away as ever from winning another Premier League title.

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Bottom-Half Finish Would Be Unthinkable for Either Club

From the neutrals’ perspective, this has been a fun Premier League season so far. A closer title race would be welcome, and it would be good for English soccer if at least one of the promoted trio survived, but there has been plenty to enjoy - not least the overachievements of clubs like Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Fulham.

There is a sense that the Premier League’s middle class have closed the gap with the elite in recent years. Even mid-ranking clubs in England’s top division are relatively wealthy these days, owing to the league’s extraordinary television deals. That has allowed even modest EPL teams to sign players from major European clubs.

The likes of Tottenham and Manchester United can no longer rest on their laurels. At the time, United’s seventh-place finish under David Moyes in 2013/14 was viewed as an unimaginable disaster. A decade or so later and United are six places lower than that.

It could well be seven or eight come Sunday. Tottenham have generally been poor in recent months, but you still feel they are capable of pulling a big result out of the bag, particularly in front of their own fans. 

United, on the other hand, have been consistently uninspired for much of Amorim’s tenure. They produced disciplined displays away to Liverpool and Arsenal last month, but we struggle to envisage another one here. The smart money is on Tottenham in this one.

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How to Watch Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester United

• Teams: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester United

• Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England

• Date and Time: Sunday, 16 February 2025, 11.30 AM ET 

• How to Watch: Peacock Premium