Five reasons why Manchester United won’t beat Tottenham
Tottenham/Manchester Utd, Sat 5.30pm, Setanta Sports 1
There is more at stake for Tottenham’s players than the chance to earn the crowds’ adulation by knocking Dimitar Berbatov about (Paddy Power have a market on the first player to kick seven shades out of him) – they are defending an unbeaten record against the Big Four this season. Meanwhile, Manchester United have their own proud seven-and-a-half year unbeaten streak at White Hart Lane to protect. Of course, the only way to maintain both sequences would be with a draw, which is 13/5 with 888sport and Boylesports.
Here are five reasons why Spurs won’t be beaten, according to the betting genii at chickendinner:
1. Tottenham are unbeaten against the Big Four this season having drawn away to Arsenal and Chelsea, and picked up home wins over Liverpool in both the Premier League and the Carling Cup.
2. The champions have won just one of their last eight away games in London. Besides a win against Fulham, the Red Devils have drawn twice and lost once at Chelsea, drawn and lost at Arsenal, drawn at Tottenham and lost to West Ham over the last nineteen months.
3. Spurs ended a six game home losing streak against United with a 1-1 draw last season, where Sir Alex Ferguson’s side needed a last-minute equaliser from Carlos Tevez to avoid defeat.
4. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have the worst away record of all the top five this season, winning just three of their eight away games and therefore taking just half of the available points. Bolton, Hull and Everton have all taken more points on their travels than the champions.
5. Harry Redknapp took points from four of his last six meetings with Manchester United while at Portsmouth, winning two and drawing two.
More good news for Spurs
If Berbatov is passed fit, Spurs fans can be confident of him not scoring because he failed to notch in any of his last five appearances at White Hart Lane. The Bulgarian striker has also scored just once in eight appearances, while Robbie Keane failed to score on his miserable return to North London last month. Tevez would appear the better option considering his three goals in four starts against the club. However, if Berbatov does score it will be a lot easier to stomach if you take advantage of the…
5 responses so far
Ulrik Fredrik // December 13, 2008 at 4:56 am
“1. Tottenham are unbeaten against the Big Four this season having drawn away to Arsenal and Chelsea, and picked up home wins over Liverpool in both the Premier League and the Carling Cup.”
United’s also happens to be a part of the Big One. No issue there then.
“2. The champions have won just one of their last eight away games in London. Besides a win against Fulham, the Red Devils have drawn twice and lost once at Chelsea, drawn and lost at Arsenal, drawn at Tottenham and lost to West Ham over the last nineteen months.”
Stats don’t mean squat at times. Including tonight.
“3. Spurs ended a six game home losing streak against United with a 1-1 draw last season, where Sir Alex Ferguson’s side needed a last-minute equaliser from Carlos Tevez to avoid defeat.”
That last minute equalizer showed how much United are a threat to their opponents when push comes to shove. Tonight that will happen straight from the kick-off.
“4. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have the worst away record of all the top five this season, winning just three of their eight away games and therefore taking just half of the available points. Bolton, Hull and Everton have all taken more points on their travels than the champions.”
Bolton, Hull and Everton, despite being smaller clubs, are in the top half of the table. So no problem then with them having more away points than United.
“5. Harry Redknapp took points from four of his last six meetings with Manchester United while at Portsmouth, winning two and drawing two.”
United’s looking to be pretty stingy this time around and we’re keepting them points. Harry ain’t nicking any off us this time.
Jimbob // December 13, 2008 at 1:49 pm
lol! Nervous much Ulrich? Statistics indicate which way the match might go but at the end of the day its down to the players on the pitch. Yes, the likes of Everton and Bolton are lower down the table than Manure but it just illustrates how poor your away record is, particularly in comparison to the other big teams. Cant see you guys winning the league if it doesnt improve. May the best team (Spurs) win!
Ulrik Fredrik // December 13, 2008 at 3:41 pm
We’ll see Jimbob. United’s gonna win tonight’s match and eventually the title again this season. And you and the sorry arse team you support can just watch and sob.
Dirtmonkey // December 14, 2008 at 10:36 am
Ulrik, not so smug now eh?
leedixon // December 14, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Where’s Ulrick ‘Stats don’t mean squat at times’ Fredrick now? Ignorance is bliss
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