Thursday night Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United features BBC pundit Chris Sutton's prediction.
After last weekend's 6-1 thrashing at Newcastle United, Spurs fired Cristian Stellini. Ryan Mason will be attempting to improve now that he has been given the role once more.
However, Sutton claims he simply cannot see it. Tottenham is currently in a serious situation.
Only three of their previous ten Premier League games and one of their last five have ended in victories for them. That is astonishing coming from a club that size, and it doesn't get any better.
The last three Premier League games played by Manchester United have all been victories. They've also advanced to the FA Cup final, so the players' confidence is at an all-time high right now.
Erik Ten Hag's team will win tonight, in Sutton's opinion. “I really fancy Manchester United here. Tottenham just capitulated against Newcastle and they are in such a mess that they have just fired their interim manager, Cristian Stellini," he wrote on BBC Sport.
“If Newcastle had continued scoring at the same rate they did in the first 21 minutes, then they would have ended up winning 22-0. Will Spurs bounce back, after one of the most gutless displays I have ever seen? I am not convinced."
“United were fortunate to get through their FA Cup semi-final with Brighton. I enjoyed the game and how it panned out, and Erik ten Hag’s side were quite effective on the break. I don’t see them scoring as many as Newcastle did, but I definitely don’t think Tottenham will keep a clean sheet."
“I am sure Spurs won’t be as bad as they were on Sunday, but I just can’t back them at the moment.”
Sutton’s predicted: Tottenham 1-3 Manchester United.
But Man United's manager Erik Ten Hag and Tottenham Hotspur's new caretaker Ryan Mason see things from a different perspective ahead of the two sides clash on Thursday night.
Erik Ten Hag sees a serious red flag following the Spurs disastrous display against Newcastle United at St James Park last Saturday. In his words he expects his side to face a 'mad' Tottenham Hotspur's side.
"We had some, not so often, that we have to bounce back. Definitely (more than I would like) but it happens with all the great teams, even Real Madrid, eh?" Erik Ten Hag acknowledged during his Wednesday afternoon press conference.
“It’s obvious they (Tottenham) had a really bad defeat. Of course, then they are mad. That can be fuel for bouncing back. “But it’s about us. An opponent can never be more hungry than we (are), so that is how we have to prepare the game.”
Despite Spurs' issues, England's captain Harry Kane continues to pose a threat. If the 29-year-old striker decides to leave Spurs in search of his first major prize, he will likely face one of the clubs who are supposedly interested in signing him at the end of the season. He has scored 26 goals in all competitions.
It’s quite clear his impact on the game for Spurs,” said Ten Hag. “We have a plan of course for that. The home game we did very well, so for tomorrow we need a very good plan as well. “You have to defend him as a team.”
Ryan Mason on his own side believes that Spurs needs to react after such performance against Newcastle United last weekend.
“(I expect) a reaction, absolutely a reaction," Ryan Mason stated.
“Obviously Sunday was disappointing for us and I would hope and expect there’s a reaction from not only the players, but everyone in the building and everyone involved in the club as well."
“I’m pleased (about the reimbursement) because our fans are important for us. We value them and need them."
“I understand that relationship has wavered recently, but there’s no doubt we need them and want them on board, and hopefully Thursday they can feel us."
“I understand that relationship has wavered recently, but there’s no doubt we need them and want them on board, and hopefully Thursday they can feel us."
“We want to get them on board and we want to get them with us. The only way to do that is to put in performances that warrant that.”
Now, it's pretty challenging to support Tottenham, isn't it?
Last Saturday against Newcastle, Tottenham played horribly. Given that they still have a chance to finish in the top four, it is stunning that no player looked willing to stand up and fight.
Thursday matchup with Manchester United is crucial. A victory will aid them in their quest to play in the Champions League, while a loss will all but put an end to those chances.
Manchester United still has three games in hand and a win against Tottenham Hotspur will open a nine points gap between them.
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