Tottenham vs Manchester United betting tips and analysis

IMAGO Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes will go toe-to-toe with Tottenham skipper Heung-min Son once again in Sunday's clash — *IMAGO* Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes will go toe-to-toe with Tottenham skipper Heung-min Son once again in Sunday's clash

Tottenham state of play

Last weekend, an already disappointing season went from bad to worse for Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou, who looked on as his team exited the FA Cup at the hands of Aston Villa.

Postecoglou’s injury-hit team has looked on its last legs for several games now, with Spurs losing five of their last six domestic fixtures. In the last fortnight, they’ve been dumped out of both cups, while they languish in 14th in the league.

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The return to fitness of players such as James Maddison and Destiny Udogie may provide some respite, though their problems go far beyond injuries, let’s be real.

Manchester United state of play

It’s not exactly been a stellar campaign for the Red Devils either. They’ve sacked one manager, while Ruben Amorim, whose Sporting CP team was firing on all cylinders, is yet to turn things around at Old Trafford.

However, compared to Sunday’s hosts, the visitors are in better shape having won four of their last five in all competitions.

A last-minute winner from often-criticised defender Harry Maguire saw them edge beyond Leicester in the FA Cup last Friday night, so they should come into this game feeling upbeat.

Then again, if we scratch beneath the surface, disregarding wins in the FA Cup and Europa League, the picture looks a little different, with United winning just two of their last eight league games, five of which they’ve lost.

Key talking point: Dorgu can hurt wounded hosts

Patrick Dorgu only lasted 45 minutes on his Manchester United debut, and the Old Trafford may have felt short-changed with the new boy not coming back out for the second half.

However, this is an explosive player, one who has plenty to give, so United fans can expect to see an improvement in performances, that’s for sure.

A key player for Lecce this term, and in big games too. Dorgu offered a constant source of creativity for the Serie A side, regularly driving at defenders out wide before either delivering or letting fly.

The Danish international, who averaged 0.23 expected goals data and assists per 90 in the Italian top flight, also offers a clear threat on the break, which bodes well given Spurs’ struggles in that sense.

FIRST’s top tip for Tottenham vs Manchester United

Patrick Dorgu to score or give an assist - 3/1 (BetMGM)

This may just be the perfect opportunity for Patrick Dorgu to hit the ground running. His pacey and direct approach could really pay dividends against a Tottenham team that continues to crumble defensively.

In Serie A, Dorgu was averaging 1.76 shots per 90 minutes, while he also ranked very highly for Lecce in terms of key passes (= passes leading directly to a shot), final-third passes and progressive passes.

The full-back also forms one third of our trio of Premier League prop bets this weekend, with Oli Nixon backing Dorgu to be a thorn in Spurs’ side.

With the Dane being a player willing to get the ball and run at shaky defenders, 3/1 looks quite chunky. At such odds, Dorgu looks like a decent bet to make a serious contribution.

Extra tips

Pape Sarr over 0.5 shots on target - 9/5 (BetMGM)

Another viable betting route, at odds of 9/5, involves taking Tottenham’s Pape Sarr to register at least one shot on target.

Likely to start having only featured from the bench last weekend, the dynamic midfielder has often found his shooting boots in big games this season, showing a clear hunger to get forward and test opposing keepers.

Sarr averages 1.58 shots and 0.79 shots on target (per 90) in the Premier League this season.

While he’s taken multiple shots against the likes of Newcastle (home and away), Liverpool, Aston Villa, Manchester United and Arsenal, registering a shot on target in all but one of those. That’ll do for me.

Team news

The hosts continue to be without several regulars. Richarlison, Brennan Johnson, Cristian Romero, Dominic Solanke, Radu Dragusin, Micky van de Ven and Guglielmo Vicario are all expected to miss out. Maddison and Udogie are reportedly fit and may play some part in the fixture.

Manchester United are still expected to be without the services of Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw. Rasmus Hojlund could get the nod over Joshua Zirkzee in attack.