Tottenham vs Man Utd
Premier League 2018-19
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Date: Sunday, January 13, 2019
Kick-off: 4:30pm GMT
Mauricio Pochettino and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer go head to head as Tottenham host Manchester United in a super Sunday showdown at Wembley.
Pochettino remains United's number one target to become the club's permanent manager this summer after Jose Mourinho's dramatic sacking in December, though Solskjaer is certainly giving the Red Devils food for thought as caretaker manager.
Club legend Solskjaer has brought the feel-good factor back to Old Trafford, playing attractive football and winning his first five games in charge - but they meet a Tottenham side of real style and substance as Spurs sit third in the Premier League table.
While Ed Woodward may still see Pochettino as the coach to take the United hot-seat permanently, beating the Argentine at Wembley would do Solskjaer's chances of landing the job no harm at all.
Tottenham team news and predicted line-up
Eric Dier is closing in on a timely return to fitness. Pochettino has demonstrated the strength in his squad with consecutive wins against Tranmere and Chelsea in the domestic cups but they have looked particularly short in central midfield, where Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko have had only 18-year-old Oliver Skipp for cover during Dier's absence.
Mousa Dembele is back in training following an ankle injury but the Belgium international remains in talks over a move to China and is unlikely to play for the club again, while Victor Wanyama remains sidelined as he fights to recover from another long-term knee injury. The club hope the Kenyan will be able to return before the end of the month.
Lucas Moura, who scored twice at Old Trafford, will be assessed ahead of the game after a knee injury sustained at Tranmere, while Jan Vertonghen will return to the squad after a thigh problem.
Heun-min Son is almost certain to start given that this will be his final game before leaving for the Asian Cup with South Korea.
Tottenham XI (4-4-2): Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Rose; Winks, Sissoko, Eriksen, Dele Alli; Son, Kane
Man Utd team news and predicted line-up
Eric Bailly is suspended for United following his red card against Bournemouth.
With Chris Smalling (ankle) unlikely to return and Marcos Rojo still out, that should ensure Victor Lindelof and Phil Jones continue at centre-back.
Solskjaer could well play Ashley Young at right-back with Antonio Valencia failing to impress against Newcastle, while Anthony Martial may also have to settle for a bench role after underwhelming at St James' Park - that could mean a start for Alexis Sanchez.
Romelu Lukaku is pushing for a start after getting leaner and scoring three goals in as many games off the bench, but it's most likely that he will be used as an impact sub after an hour.
Man Utd XI (4-3-3): De Gea; Young, Jones, Lindelof, Shaw; Matic, Herrera, Pogba; Lingard, Rashford, Sanchez
Score prediction: Tottenham 2-2 Man Utd
Tottenham are yet to concede a goal in January and have scored 11 in three games to set themselves up perfectly for the visit of United, who they beat 3-0 at Old Trafford earlier this season.
Much depends on which team takes the initiative. United's attack has been in rampant form, but Solskjaer still has work to do with a defence lacking in both quality and leadership.
The second half should prove the key to the game: Spurs had a draining EFL Cup win over Chelsea on Tuesday with much of their first team playing, while United have had a mixture of hard work and relaxation on a warm-weather trip to Dubai to recharge their batteries for the second half of the season.
Expect both teams to score at least once, with attacking substitutions in the final 30 minutes - such as Romelu Lukaku or Erik Lamela - likely deciding the outcome. A draw seems the most likely outcome, though Spurs are yet to share the points in any of their 21 League games so far.
Tottenham vs Man Ttd tickets
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Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- Tottenham to win: 11/10
- Draw: 13/5
- Man Utd to win: 5/2
First goalscorer odds
- Harry Kane: 7/2
- Paul Pogba: 9/1
- Heung-min Son: 9/2
- Marcus Rashford: 17/2
Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet.
TV channel and live stream, and online coverage
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports' Premier League and Main Event channels, and is available via NOW TV with a day pass on offer for £7.99.
Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via SkyGo and the SkyGo app.
You can also follow the match with the Standard Sport team LIVE at Wembley.
Head to Head history (h2h)
The teams have met 53 times in the Premier League: United have by far the better record, winning 33 times to Spurs; nine, and the sides have drawn 11 games.
Despite United's record, Spurs have beaten the Red Devils in three of their last four League meetings. Spurs beat United 2-0 at Wembley last January, and also crushed United 3-0 at Old Trafford in August.
