After back-to-back heartbreaks in domestic cup competitions, Tottenham Hotspur seek to bounce back to winning ways when they entertain Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday.
Ange Postecoglou’s side have endured a difficult run of form, slipping to 14th in the league standings and suffering back-to-back eliminations from the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup. Their league form is extremely alarming with just two wins from their last 10 games, something the Spurs boss will be desperate to turn around.
The North Londoners will eye a league double over Man United after beating the Red Devils 3-0 at Old Trafford in September whilst dumping them out of the Carabao Cup from the last eight.
Tottenham Team News
Tottenham could be in for a major injury boost ahead of Man United’s visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Ange Postecoglou is hopeful of five injury returns, with Guglielmo Vicario, James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, Destiny Udogie and Timo Werner all pushing to return to training this week.
Richarlison picked up a calf issue during last week’s Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Liverpool, and he is unlikely to be fit to face Man United. Additionally, central defenders Micky van de Ven (hamstring) and Cristian Romero (quad) are recovering at a slower pace, with no set timeline for their returns.
Predicted Tottenham lineup vs Manchester United (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Antonin Kinsky has been in the firing line in recent weeks due to his poor performances. He committed a howler in the second minute against Aston Villa in the FA Cup that led to Jacob Ramsey’s goal, and while the young shot-stopper atoned for his mistake with a few brilliant saves, the Czech Republic man must improve a lot and quickly if he is to keep his spot.
With Guglielmo Vicario on the comeback trail from injury and could return on Sunday, it is likely Postecoglou will stick with Kinsky in goal against Man United.
Defence
With Romero and Van de Ven still unavailable, Postecoglou could retain the same back four that started in the 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Villa. Pedro Porro and Archie Gray are expected to start at right-back and left-back, respectively, with Udogie only likely to be fit for limited minutes off the bench.
January signing Kevin Danso has been decent in his first two games for Spurs and is certain to keep his place in the side. The Austrian will be paired with Archie Gray in central defence, and the duo have to be at their best to stop Man United’s speedy forwards.
Midfield
If James Maddison attains full fitness, he walks back into Postecoglou’s first XI. The England international’s vision and incisiveness would complement the hard-working and energetic Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr in the middle of the park.
The trio will be hoping to take control of the game at the earliest and overwhelm the visitors in midfield. Yves Bissouma may be required to add some much-needed steel and bite in the latter stages of the game.
Attack
The injury to Richarlison last week means skipper Son Heung-min will be tasked with leading the Tottenham attack. The South Korean is expected to be flanked by Dejan Kulusevski and Mathys Tel, who scored his first Spurs goal in the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the FA Cup.
If at all Werner and Johnson are passed fit, they will start on the bench.
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