EPL 2016/17: 5 reasons why Tottenham Hotspur start as favourites against Manchester United
“Favoritos” that is what Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham side are when they arrive at Old Trafford this weekend. Both teams may have finished on a high in their respective European campaigns but that still doesn’t take their focus of the Premier League where they have struggled in their own peculiar way.
The league table is a stark reminder of that as Manchester United find themselves 6 points behind their visitors and anything less than a victory will see them drift even more apart from the Champions League places.
For much of the campaign, both teams have stuttered when it comes to scoring goals with Spurs having scored 19 while their hosts have only scored 20. Between themselves, they have already played out 6 draws each this campaign and it will be interesting to see how both teams line up.
#1 Spurs have their goal scoring boots on
In their last two games across all competitions, Spurs have scored 8 goals. Last weekend they whipped basement boys, Swansea City 5-0, before continuing their scoring run against CSKA in Europe. After scoring 8 goals in their most recent fixtures, Spurs do possess the edge when it comes to taking their chances.
United, on the other hand, have been threatening but have been unable to find the net often. The talismanic Swede, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has led from the front and barring him, the others haven’t been scoring.
The Swede has scored 8 goals for the Red Devils this term and his sublime lob to give the lead against Everton last weekend proves that the Swede can turn it on when the situation demands it. However, he has been asked to do too much at times and it will be interesting to see how Mourinho gets the best out of him without running him into the ground.
Spurs, on the other hand, will hope their attacking trio of Son, Kane and Eriksen are on target once again. Spurs will be aware of United’s failure to find the back of the net on a consistent basis and will aim to score at least a couple if they are to entertain any hopes of a famous away victory.