Spurs host United London with both sides looking to improve from their opening week performances in the Premier League. It is always an absolute stinger of a fixture, with an opportunity to make a few pretty pennies.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United
English Premier League
Saturday, 19 August
Tottenham Hotspur
To Win Match
Tottenham Hotspur 17/10 | Draw 11/4 | Manchester United 27/20
Tottenham Hotspur
So much has been made about Harry Kane departing for Bayern Munich, and rightly so! I mean when you consider the fact that he scored about 30 goals for Spurs and they still struggled, the future doesn’t look particularly bright does it?
For me, I don’t understand why Kane wasn’t more upfront with Spurs and Ange Postecoglou. If he knew he intended to leave surely, he could have communicated that earlier? Alternatively, if he had indeed communicated that, why would Spurs keep him as captain during their preparation and build-up to the season?
Nevertheless, I thought there were really positive signs for Spurs against a tricky Brentford side. James Maddison looked superb and if he can find his niche in London, I think he significantly improves their midfield.
Postecoglou is an intriguing coach, he is totally committed to front-foot football and from the little I have read about him – he seems to have enough passion and persona to get the buy-in of the Spurs faithful. I hope they give him time though, it’s a tough start to the season and a relatively frustrating period for him, but in time I think he will justify his appointment.
Manchester United
United were a little disappointing on Monday night, they looked rather flat and staggered for large portions of the game and to be fair – gave Wolves a little too much space in the middle of the park.
Mason Mount was poor, Casemiro looked static and Marcus Rashford just didn’t get enough touches on the ball. I maintain that they have done good business in the window and their squad is impressively improved – but I don’t think that was the start they wanted.
The real disappointment at the moment is also the injury to Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund. He would have surely wanted to hit the ground running, but with his injury keeping him sidelined for a few weeks that will have to be put on ice.
Andre Onana was immense in my opinion; he is exactly the sort of keeper Erik ten Hag would have wanted. He plays with his feet and is also a superb shot-stopper. I think he got off to the perfect start in front of Old Trafford.
This is a tough game to call, both sides had rather placid starts so who knows what we can expect here?
Verdict: Manchester United (27/20)
United weren’t firing on all cylinders earlier this week, but they have a better squad, and they have the players capable of turning it on and creating enough chances to earn all three points here.
I expect Spurs will be hungry to make a point here, but during the game against Wolves, the narrative was ‘United will lift the performance’…it didn’t happen, but I think that is corrected on Saturday evening.
Not a banker, but certainly the pick.
