The Big Match Tactical View: Tottenham v Manchester United

Michael Cox
13 May 2017

Can Tottenham end their 118-year period at White Hart Lane on a high?

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After 118 years at White Hart Lane, Tottenham will play their final game at the famous old ground on Sunday. Can they preserve their unbeaten home record this season? Michael Cox looks at the tactics and Alan Thompson provides the betting lowdown...

"For fans of poetic finishes, a Harry Kane winner would be perfect."

Tottenham v Manchester United
Sunday, 16:30
Live Sky Sports 1

Match Odds: Tottenham 1.758/11, Man Utd 5.49/2, The Draw 4.03/1.

Tottenham Hotspur effectively conceded the league title after their surprise 1-0 defeat at West Ham United last weekend, but they'll be determined to bounce back with a victory against Manchester United, who might be tired from their midweek Europa League exploits.

Of course, Tottenham have extra motivation to win this weekend, because this will be an emotional final match at White Hart Lane. Mauricio Pochettino's side boast a hugely impressive unbeaten record at home this season, and it would be very surprising - and extremely disappointing for the home supporters - if they lost that record here on an emotional day in north London.

Recent Premier League sides who have departed famous old stadiums have tended to go out in the best way possible - think Matt Le Tissier's last-minute winner against Arsenal in Southampton's final game at The Dell, Thierry Henry's hat-trick to confirm a Champions League place in Arsenal's last game at Highbury, or Winston Reid's late winner in the finale at Upton Park. For fans of poetic finishes, a Harry Kane winner would be perfect.

Tactically, Pochettino is likely to make a couple of changes from last week's defeat to West Ham. Spurs badly missed Mousa Dembele from their central midfield zone, and he's likely to return. Victor Wanyama has reached undroppable status, while Eric Dier is important for the side in a tactical sense, so it's possible Pochettino might decide to change system, going for a back three here.

That would mean Dier dropping back into defence, with the full-backs pushing forward to become wing-backs and probably Heung Son-min dropping out of the side. Many of Spurs' problems last week came when they were transitioning from the back four to the back three - Manuel Lanzini repeatedly got in behind down the left - so Pochettino might want more of a solid system this week.

Kyle Walker had a poor game at West Ham, and amongst transfer speculation, you wonder whether that might be his final game for Spurs. Kieran Tripper has been in good form recently, and it would be a surprise if he didn't start here.

Mourinho's team selection is slightly unpredictable. There's no particular need for him to rest players this time around, but after Thursday's match against Celta Vigo he might consider leaving out some of his more valued players to guard against injuries. United are now hugely unlikely to qualify for the Champions League through the Premier League, and therefore it's questionable how much effort Mourinho will put into this contest. Mourinho, however, loves playing the pantomime villain.

We can probably expect a reasonably similar starting XI to the one he named at Arsenal last week, which means Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney likely to play, although the former could move to the left with Marcus Rashford playing upfront. Jesse Lingard, a disciplined tactical player, is another who may come in.

Michael Carrick might be omitted here, with Ander Herrera more likely to play the deep midfield role. It's anyone's guess in defence, with United suffering from various injury problems, but Phil Jones will probably get another start having recovered.

It's difficult to make a case for United winning this one, however. Tottenham are a well-drilled pressing machine, and have extra incentive in their final game at their famous old stadium. Talk of Spurs being 'bottlers' after last week's defeat is entirely unreasonable considering they were never considered anything like genuine title favourites and have by far the Premier League's best record over the last two months.

But even if you do remain convinced Tottenham are 'bottlers', the pressure is largely off with the title not on the cards, and second place nearly guaranteed. A Spurs victory, at 1.758/11, seems a good price against a United team with little motivation to get a result, and their long-standing unbeaten run no longer intact.

The Betfair Trader - Alan Thompson

Tottenham Hotspur will run out for the final time at White Hart Lane against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon. It's been some farewell season. They are the only unbeaten team in home games this season and I think they'll keep that record going this weekend.

The market agrees. United are back in north London again after their unbeaten run came to an end at Arsenal last Sunday and once again they are big underdogs at around 5.04/1.

Spurs can secure second place with three points and despite losing out in the title race for a second successive season, I am sure they will want to finish on a high before relocating to Wembley for their home games next season while they wait for their new stadium.

United were also the opposition for West Ham's final game at the Boleyn Ground last season, a game they eventually lost 3-2, after being ahead going into the final 15 minutes.

The visitors will have burned a fair bit of energy on Thursday evening after the euphoria of reaching the Europa League final by way of a nervy 1-1 draw with Celta Vigo.

I can’t see anything but a Spurs victory here but they aren’t an attractive betting proposition in the match odds at the current 1.855/6 so I'll look elsewhere for my wager.

United failed to score at Liverpool or Chelsea when they visited so I am not expecting them to change their style of play here. I will be splitting my stake backing Spurs to win to Nil but won’t take anything less 3.185/40 and will also be backing Harry Kane so score what will be his first goal against Manchester United in the first goal scorer market @ 5.14/1.

Back a Spurs win and both teams to score @ 7/2!

You can back Tottenham to win their final game at White Hart Lane in a double with both teams to score at a massive @ 7/2 on the Betfair Sportsbook this weekend. Click on Football Specials to find the market.