Manchester United vs. Tottenham Predictions: Cards at a premium at Old Trafford

Live on Sky Sports Main Event tonight with a 17:30 kick off, Old Trafford is the venue where Manchester United face Tottenham Hotspur in the race for the top four. Manchester United currently sit in fifth place just one point from top four, with Spurs hot on their heels in seventh, just two points behind but with two games in hand. 

After being dominated by their city rivals yet again, Manchester United will be looking to put that result behind them and bounce back by taking a crucial three points against Antonio Conte's side who are hitting a good run of form. Varane is back in training after having Covid-19, a huge miss in a frail back-line, and if he is fit enough he will slot straight back into the starting XI for the Red Devils. Ralf Rangnick is also hopeful of a return from Cristiano Ronaldo following a hip problem last week which saw him side lined. Scott McTominay recently picked up a calf injury and is likely to miss out also.

Spurs are finally starting to find their feet under Conte with three wins from their last four matches now, with most recently a 5-0 then 4-0 victory over Everton and Leeds respectively. With a win here, they will leapfrog Manchester United and West ham into fifth place, equal on points with fourth placed Arsenal, a miraculous turn around after three straight defeats against Chelsea, Southampton and Wolves back in February. Conte will want to keep the same set up here, with the only change likely to be Reguilon slotting in at left wing-back due to Ryan Sessegnon picking up an injury last time out at Everton. 

Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Telles; Pogba, Fred; Sancho, Fernandes, Elanga; Ronaldo

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Romero, Dier, Davies; Doherty, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Reguilon; Kulusevski, Kane, Son

The battle for top four is well and truly on now and both teams will be desperate not to lose here. Tottenham have been scoring freely of late, registering twelve goals in their last four matches, including a 3-2 victory against Premier League leaders Manchester City. Going to Old Trafford could suit Spurs perfectly as they have looked lethal on the break with Kane orchestrating from deep. They could really do some damage against an out of form Harry Maguire. Manchester United have also found the net in eleven of their last twelve fixtures and with them desperate for three points, I expect them to go all out for the win if the game is level. 

At the whistle for this battle at Old Trafford is Jonathan Moss. He is renowned for his very low card giving, with an average of just 2.46 yellows across his last 56 games. Across these matches, he has only given four or more cards in 23.75% of matches, one of the lowest totals in the Premier League. Taking both teams to receive two or more cards NO boosts this double to 1.35/1 which seems generous. Both teams have been given two or more cards in only three of Manchester United's last fourteen matches, and two of Tottenham's last fourteen matches.  

A speculative longshot here but one that is definitely overpriced. With Moss at the whistle, it's likely cards will be lower than normal and he has given zero cards in 15% of matches. It’s an important game for both sides, but the Red Devils recent 0-0 draw with Watford was also crucial for their top four hopes and that ended with zero cards. Two of Manchester United's last eight matches have ended without a card, with the same outcome in two of Tottenham's last fourteen matches. At 30/1 (3.2% chance) and with Manchester United's main two card offenders missing out here (Shaw and McTominay), it could be well worth a small punt. As always if you are following these tips please gamble responsibly.