Tottenham vs Manchester United: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

This should be an intriguing game between two closely matched teams, but we are leaning towards Manchester United securing a narrow win over Tottenham. The improvement under Ruben Amorim has been notable, despite a couple of blips against Nottingham Forest and Arsenal. United have won ten of the last 20 meetings between the two sides, while Spurs have won seven.

The hosts are winless in their previous four home games in all competitions, with two losses and two draws, facing a United side who are unbeaten in their last two away games following their dramatic 2-1 win over Manchester City. The visitors are without a clean sheet in four and both teams have scored in five of the last seven involving the Red Devils, so expect goals in this one – Tottenham 1-2 Man United

Tottenham welcome Manchester United to North London for the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup, with a place in the final four at stake.

Date: 19/12/24

Kick-off time: 20:00

Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

It is a huge clash between two of the Premier League’s big six as Tottenham and Man United battle it out in the cup. The pair have both endured difficult league seasons so far, but will be hoping for much more success in this competition. Spurs have been through a poor run of form of late, with one win in their last six games in all competitions, and this has left them 10th in the table. They will welcome this League Cup distraction as they seek to win their first silverware since 2008. Spurs reached this stage with a 2-1 win over Man City back in October.

Ruben Amorim will be taking charge of his first Carabao Cup game after replacing Erik ten Hag in November. In fact, it was interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy who oversaw United’s progression to the quarter-final, where they were 5-2 winners against Leicester in the Round of 16. Like Spurs, United have had a difficult league campaign, which they have spent almost all of in the bottom half. They have lost two of the last three league games, though the latest was an incredible comeback win against their rivals Man City.

Goals should be a feature in this game, as both have vulnerable defences. The hosts should be confident in exposing United’s backline, who have kept just one clean sheet in their last seven games in all competitions. Despite Spurs’ struggles, they have done well going forward, and are currently the Premier League’s second-best attack with 36 goals.

As the latter stages of the tournament approaches, expect both teams to name strong sides. Brennan Johnson has already scored in the League Cup, and his importance to the side has grown throughout the season. He leads Spurs with 10 goals in all competitions, while Dominic Solanke has settled in as the side’s talisman.

United have scored 12 goals across their two cup games so far, with three scored by Alejandro Garnacho. He is one of several attackers who will be hoping to get the start, with Marcus Rashford also enjoying goalscoring success. The pair were dropped from the squad at the weekend, but may be recalled. Amad Diallo orchestrated their comeback, so will likely get another chance to impress. Spurs have injuries to contend with in defence, and have kept just one clean sheet since their 4-0 win at Manchester City seven games ago.

These two teams have met eight times since 2020, all in the Premier League. There has not been much to split the pair during this stretch, but United edge it with four wins to three and a draw. However, they are winless in the previous four meetings, with Spurs winning twice, once at home and once at Old Trafford. The latest fixture took place earlier this season, in which United lost 3-0 at home. Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke were the goalscorers. The last time they faced off in the League Cup was in 2009, when the Red Devils won 2-0 at home in the fifth round.

Tottenham vs Manchester United will be available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event & Football.

Tottenham

Midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur continues to serve a seven-match suspension, while Guglielmo Vicario and Richarlison remain out with long-term injuries. Heung-Min Son has a knock and will continue to be assessed, but he should be available for selection. Centre-back pairing Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are still sidelined.

Manchester United

Mason Mount picked up an injury in United’s last game and was substituted early. Luke Shaw will also be out as he suffered a setback in his injury at the beginning of the month. Ruben Amorim should have a fully fit squad to choose from otherwise.

Tottenham

In their last five games, Tottenham have won one, lost two and drawn two. It has been a poor stretch for Spurs, but they won in their most recent game. This run started with a home game against Fulham, in which they drew 1-1. Brennan Johnson’s opener was cancelled out by Tom Cairney, who was later sent off. Spurs were unable to capitalise on the extra man advantage.

Their downturn in form continued as they were defeated 1-0 at Bournemouth. Youngster Dean Huijsen scored the only goal of the game after 17 minutes. The following weekend they welcomed rivals Chelsea to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. They lost 4-3, squandering an early 2-0 lead. Goals from Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski put them ahead, before their visitors scored four unanswered through Jadon Sancho, Cole Palmer (x2) and Enzo Fernandez. Heung-Min Son scored a late consolation.

Attention turned back to Europe as they travelled to Scotland to face Rangers. They were held to a 1-1 draw, though they fell behind to a Hamza Igamane strike. Kulusevski netted an equaliser with 15 minutes to go to save Spurs from defeat. Last time out they travelled to bottom club Southampton. They were dominant 5-0 winners, with goals from Maddison (x2), Son, Kulusevski and Pedro Porro all coming in the first half.

Man United:

In their last five games, Man United have won three and lost two. It has been a mixed stretch for United as they begin life under new manager Ruben Amorim. The first game of this run was a dominant 4-0 win over Everton, with braces from both Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee securing an easy three points.

Arsenal were their next opponents, but they lost 2-0 with goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba condemning them to defeat. They then faced Nottingham Forest at home. They lost once more as they were defeated 3-2. They fell behind twice before Forest extended their lead to 3-1. Bruno Fernandes pulled one back but they were unable to complete a comeback.

Attention shifted to Europa League action as they took on Viktoria Plzen on the road. The hosts took a shock lead due to a howler from goalkeeper Andre Onana, but United saved themselves from embarrassment as they turned it around through goals from Rasmus Hojlund. At the weekend, they made the short trip to neighbours Man City for the Manchester Derby. They won 2-1, as they came from behind late on. Josko Gvardiol gave City the lead before Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo turned it around.

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