Manchester United v Tottenham: Tight clash in prospect
Old Trafford sees the meeting of two sides who will be in the hat for Monday’s last 32 draw of the Europa League courtesy of midweek victories.
Tottenham finally lifted their Wembley woes with a 3-1 win over CSKA Moscow but their previous defeats at the venue mean Mauricio Pochettino’s men limped out of the Champions League and into the second tier competition.
The visitors are 11/4 (3.75) with bet365 to pick up another victory at Old Trafford although it’s now seven games without a victory on the road for Spurs, with their last three points on the road coming way back in Moscow in September.
Manchester United saw off Zorya in tricky conditions to secure a spot in the knockout stages but that trip was hardly ideal preparation for this huge clash. Still, they’re the 23/20 (2.15) favourites to pick up another three points back on home soil but that price looks a little short given their lack of ability to see games out of late.
United have drawn their last four Premier League games at this venue and bet365 go 12/5 (3.40) that the Old Trafford faithful see yet another and see their side share the spoils once again.
UK and Irish bet365 customers can take advantage of a huge offer ahead of this blockbuster clash. Anyone placing a pre-match wager on the game will be able to place another in-play bet up to the same value, once the action gets underway. This is valid up to £50 per player and is well worth doing.
Place the in-play bet as usual using your account balance and if it loses, it’ll be refunded after the final whistle in cash with no turnover requirements. It is literally a risk-free bet which can be used on any of bet365’s dozens of markets that run throughout the match. Why not double up on your initial selection without any additional risk or try a long shot bet on a next goalscorer or correct score pick, knowing that you’ll get your money back if it doesn’t win?
The bet for this game looks to be in backing a tight game. 12/5 (3.40) on a fifth consecutive draw at home in the league for United looks the best way to play the match odds but it could pay to aim a little higher in the odds for a smaller stakes bet.
It’s 4/5 (1.80) that both teams score and it’s tough to see either team keeping a clean sheet given their recent form but combining this option with a draw would pay 10/3 (4.33) with bet365. There have been goals at both ends in Tottenham’s last four games on the road in all competitions while the same is true of the hosts’ last four games in the Premier League.
In terms of a correct score, three of United’s last four matches in the league on home soil have ended 1-1 and a repeat of that scoreline pays 11/2 (6.50) with bet365. That certainly looks a little big for a match that could easily be a cagey affair between two teams looking not to lose this game rather than go all out for a victory.