Only one point separates the two teams and only a couple of months is left of the season. Tottenham and Manchester United are both in the race for a place in next seasons Champions League. And on the 27th of April they face off in a highly anticipated game on Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Be there or be square!
It’s been quite the rollercoaster ride this season for Spurs and United fans alike. Fantastic performances have in some instances been clouded by embarrassing defeats, and amazing individual games have been mixed by horrible mistakes. Still, both teams have a great chance reaching the top four and the possibility to compete in the Champions League next season. This means that both teams really need a win in this game, especially since United, at least when this is published, is third in the league, only one point ahead of Spurs.
Those are a few of the factors that makes this game on of the hottest games in the Premier League this season. Not to mention it’s Harry Kane vs Marcus Rashford, two of the best strikers in the world this year. Wow!
The atmosphere at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is always something else. Here, over 60,000 home fans sing a long two “Come on you Spurs” and it will definitely give you goosebumps all over. And maybe the away supporters can give them a great matchup – away fans from United are usually very loud.
The icing of the cake is the fact that this game takes place in London and to add to that: London in the spring. The end of April means you get to experience London without summer crowds or winter chills. Grab a pint at an outdoor beer garden, frolic around Holland Park or why not catch a stadium tour at Tottenham Hotspur stadium?
So: big game: check. Amazing stars in both teams: check. Best time of the year to visit London: check. But let’s go into the details of the key figures in this highly anticipated game.
Tottenham Hotspur
Recent news:
The biggest news regarding Spurs if of course the fact that the club parted ways with manager Antonio Conte. There are high demands in Tottenham and let’s face it: they haven’t played the most entertaining football this season (then again, entertaining football isn’t exactly what the former defensive midfielder is known for). But the straw that broke the camel’s back was when the 53-year-old openly criticised his players, the board and the culture in the club after the 3-3 draw against Southampton. Tottenham looks to finish the season with Cristian Stellini and club legend Ryan Mason in charge of the team. The latter can look forward to “He is one of our own” chants. New manager often means a positive effect on the team, but we will just have to wait and see regarding this Spurs team.
Last 5 games in the Premier League:
Southampton – Spurs 3-3
Spurs – Nottingham Forest 3-1
Wolverhampton – Spurs 1-0
Spurs – Chelsea 2-0
Spurs – West Ham 2-0
Players to keep an eye on:
Harry Kane: Has already scored 21 goals in the league this season and if it weren’t for the Norwegian phenomenon in Man City, Kane would have had a big lead in the race for the top scorer-title this season. One of the best strikers of his generation just keeps on getting better. Earlier this season, he became Spurs all-time top scorer, as well as England’s.
Cristian Romero: An underrated defender who, when his temper doesn’t get the best of him, is one of the best all round defensive players in the league. Won the World Cup with Argentina in December and has been able to keep his focus after that as well. Can do it all in Tottenham’s back line and will have to keep Marcus Rashford in line for Spurs to get a result.
Son Heung-min: The South Korean superstar has had one of his toughest seasons so far since joining Spurs back in 2015. But he is still a goal scoring machine and maybe the change in the coaching staff means that the 30 year-old can find his top form again. Let’s face it, Spurs needs him to be in top shape.
Manchester United
Recent news:
The Glazer family isn’t the most popular family in the red side of Manchester, to say the least. Now, the Finnish-Swedish businessman Thomas Zilliacus is trying to buy the club, according to multiple sources. Zilliacus hopes that he can co-own the club with the fans and his plan is to ask the supporters to try and fund half of the asking price and then he takes care of the other half. The 59-year-old then wants the fans to be able to download an app and vote on important decisions in the club. Very interesting!
Last 5 games in the Premier League:
Man United – Southampton 0-0
Liverpool FC – Man United 7-0
Man United – Leicester 3-0
Leeds United – Man United 0-2
Man United – Leeds United 2-2
Players to keep an eye on:
Marcus Rashford: The best player in the world after the World Cup break? Many believe that the answer to that question is Marcus Rashford. The 25-year-old did not impress at the start of the season but since January he has been on fire, scoring goals in almost every game. And it doesn’t really matter if he is number 1 or not – Marcus Rashford is unstoppable right now.
Casemiro: The Brazilian has meant a lot to Man United this season, after being brought in from Real Madrid for a huge sum. There were a few question marks before the season: would he be able to work as well in a midfield without players like Luka Modric and Toni Kroos next to him? And does he still have the same competitive fire after winning it all several times in Madrid? The answers to both those questions are: Yes!
Alejandro Garnacho: Man United has always produced great players from their own academy and the latest one is the 18 year-old Argentinian. He scored his first goal for the club in a Europa League game in November his first goal in the Premier League against Fulham in the same month. The winger has shown speed, technical feet and great finishing all season long. What a player United have here.
Can Spurs stop Rashford? Can United keep Kane out of the goal sheet? And which time has the advantage regarding the race for the Champions League after this game? We can’t wait to find out. April 27, save the date! Game of the season potential, indeed.