Tottenham v Man Utd: Rooney can make the difference for visitors
Published:Manchester United head to Tottenham Hotspur this weekend knowing a victory for them would all but end the North London side’s title challenge.
Sir Alex Ferguson can welcome back Wayne Rooney to the starting XI after he missed the last two games with a throat infection, while Gareth Bale will be missing for Spurs after injuring himself training with Wales in the week.
With Spurs losing their last game 5-2 against Arsenal, Harry Redknapp’s men could be in for a tough afternoon…
Match betting
Spurs haven’t beaten Manchester United since 2001 and unsurprisingly the visitors are favourites for this clash at 6/4.
Since losing consecutive games against Blackburn and Newcastle at the start of the year, United have won five of their last six in the league, drawing the other.
They have already swept aside Spurs once this season – a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford in August – and the hosts have won just one of their last four, a run that included a goalless draw against Stevenage in the FA Cup.
With England captain Scott Parker suspended for the game, it’s hard to see beyond a victory for United.
However, Spurs can be backed at 9/5 to pick up three points and they did see off Newcastle United 5-0 at White Hart Lane a fortnight ago.
Goal markets
Despite Spurs’ growing reputation for attacking football, the north London side haven’t found the net in their last three games against United and, with Bale out injured, backing United to win to nil is worth looking into at 7/2.
Finally, with Rooney back for Man Utd, he’s the favourite to open the scoring and can be backed at 9/2 to hit the net first having hit six in his last seven appearances against Spurs.
