Tottenham vs Man Utd: Premier League team news and prediction
Both Tottenham and Manchester United are in desperate need of a win this weekend as the out-of-form pair face off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Ahead of this one, we provide all the pre-match information, including what time this game kicks off, where to watch the action, team news and probable XIs...
When is kick off?
Saturday 30th October, 17:30 GMT
Where is the match?
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
What TV channel is it on?
Sky Sports Premier League / Sky Sports Main Event
Form guide
Across their last six matches, Tottenham have been poor. Their only wins in that run came at home against Aston Villa and in a 3-2 victory at relegation-threatened Newcastle either side of the international break. Spurs boosted morale with a 1-0 win at Burnley in the Carabao Cup in midweek, but four defeats in six in the league puts the north London side in 16th in the form table.
Manchester United haven't fared much better in that period and while wins over Newcastle and West Ham lifted them towards the top of the Premier League table, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has overseen a four-game winless run, picking up just one point from 12 available. A 5-0 home defeat at the hands of fierce rivals Liverpool has upped the pressure on Solskjaer's shoulders and he, like opposite number Nuno Espirto Santo, needs a win in Saturday's evening clash.
Team news
Tottenham's 1-0 win at Burnley on Wednesday night came at a cost as Bryan Gil sustained a hamstring knock that forced him off in the first half. The Spaniard will be assessed ahead of Saturday's game. Ryan Sessegnon remains sidelined, however, Nuno has no additional injury complaints and could be tempted to name the same XI for the fourth league game running despite defeat at West Ham last weekend.
Paul Pogba is absent as he is suspended following his red card in Sunday's 5-0 loss to Liverpool 15 minutes after coming on. Better news for Solskjaer, though, is that French pair Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial will face late fitness test, with the former's availability a boost for United. Edinson Cavani and Nemanja Matic may also come into the XI that started the loss to the Reds.
Probable XIs
Tottenham (4231) - Lloris; Royal, Romero, Dier, Reguilon; Hojbjerg, Skipp; Lucas, Ndombele, Son; Kane
Man Utd (4231) - De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Shaw; Matic, Fred; Cavani, Fernandes, Rashford; Ronaldo
Key Battle: Cristian Romero vs Raphael Varane
While there will be plenty of focus on the out-of-sorts strikers, the focus on Saturday evening is the two new, big money centre-backs. Granted, Cristian Romero joined from Atalanta on loan with an option to make the move permanent, that implemeted as Italian rules stipulate that a player can't be bought and sold in the same window, but Spurs are expected to exercise that option as a formality before too long.
The Argentine joined injured, but has become first choice alongside Eric Dier of late and has been a solid, agressive centre-back that has certainly improved Spurs' defence, even if the results don't reflect the performances. He'll hope to outshine fellow new arrival Raphael Varane in north London this weekend.
Varane has been a long-term target for Manchester United and they finally landed their man over the summer as he entered the final year of his Real Madrid contract. The Frenchman has been forced to watch from the sidelines of late having sustained a groin issue during the international break, yet if there is even a slim chance of featuring on Saturday, you can be sure the 28-year-old will partner Harry Maguire at the back.
Score Prediction: Tottenham 2-1 Man Utd