Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester United: Match Preview, Projected Lineups & Predictions

Comeback. For Tottenham Hotspur, this is make or break time after a difficult 1-1 draw against Liverpool last week dropped Spurs seven points behind league leaders Leicester City. With only six games remaining for Spurs and Leicester, Tottenham will have to hit scorching form if they hope to win their first league title in over 50 years. The Tottenham attack did slow against Liverpool, but the return of Erik Lamela from a calf injury could be just the boost Spurs need. That attack will be needed, as Spurs are hosting the team with the second stingiest defense in the league--Manchester United. Leicester City will be playing first on Sunday, and any dropped points by the Foxes could revitalize a Spurs team that is seeing its title hopes fade away.

Manchester United arrives at White Hart Lane in fifth place, four points behind their archrival Manchester City for fourth place with a game in hand. The Red Devils have been racked with injury, as Wayne Rooney, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Luke Shaw will all miss out with long term injury. The youngsters have stepped up in their stead, as Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard, and Marcus Rashford have stepped up as veteran Juan Mata has stabilized the attack. Michael Carrick and Morgan Schneiderlin are likely to start in a tough defensive midfield, while the foursome of Marcus Rojo, Daley Blind, Chris Smalling and Matteo Darmian have proved formidable to break down with David De Gea minding the nets behind them.

Can Spurs save their league championship hopes with a win over Manchester United? We shall see.

How to Watch

Date/time: Sunday, April 10, 2016, 4:00 p.m.. (UK), 11:00 a.m. ET (USA)
Venue: White Hart Lane, London, UK
Official: Mike Dean
TV: NBC Sports Network (USA), Sky Sports 1 (UK), Sportsnet One (Canada), Fox Sports 4 (Australia), other listings at livesoccertv.com
Streaming: NBC Sports Live Extra (USA)
Radio: Audio streamed at tottenhamhotspur.com, also BBC Radio London and TalkSport

Projected Lineup

Attack. Tottenham has no choice but to go for the win as they try to close the seven point gap with Leicester City with just six games to go. Spurs should get a lift as Erik Lamela is set to return after missing the Liverpool match with a calf injury. We expect that he will start in the attacking midfield with Dele Alli and Christian Erikesen, but Son Heung-Min could be a choice to start again. Otherwise, it is difficult to anticipate any other additional switches, but there could be a fullback rotation if Pochettino wants to mix it up.

Prediction League

As for the Prediction League, Matthew grew his lead by correctly foreseeing Spurs' draw versus Liverpool. The rules remain the same in the Prediction League -- one point for a correct prediction and a bonus point for getting the score correct. Here are the current standings:

Dustin Menno: The last time we played Manchester United we basically outworked them and lost to a derpy Kyle Walker own goal. We’ve gotten a lot better since then. I’m not convinced United has. 2-0 Spurs

Skipjack: If there is a team that has ugly draw written all over it, it is Manchester United. 2-2 Draw

Ben Daniels: Spurs haven't beaten United at home in like forever but I think we're due. 3-1 Spurs

55thVin: I don't see a way that we don't completely run over their midfield. Of course, they could troll us and play Schneiderlin. By the way, is it kidnapping if we agree to pay his wages while we hold him against their will. I assume he'd rather play for us. Oh yes, the prediction. 1-0 Spurs

Luke Zimmerman: Manchester United is pure trash. I will hear no arguments to the contrary. 1-0 Spurs

Earl of Shoop: Man United? More like "Man... United." They're just not good. Of course neither are Liverpool and look how that worked out. Fortunately, United are more not good than Liverpool. And we're the least not goodest. We win this one, but it ain't comfortable. Spurs 2-1

Matt Pachniuk: United are a squad full of gutless eunuchs. Spurs 3-1

Jake Meador: Spurs 2-0 United. And I'm going to hate myself for this prediction tomorrow after we somehow draw 1-1.

GN Punk: Manchester United are not good. Of course, they find ways to play well against the better sides. I expect us to press them into oblivion and send them home crying. Spurs 2-0

Brian Mechanick: This game petrifies me, as it seems like United may be happy to play on the counter away. I think Harry Kane proves the difference, but this game is going to be about as fun as a colonoscopy. 1-0 Spurs

Ed F.: Every set of three points we can secure is crucial this far down the stretch in our bid to keep our title chase alive, and this United side is a team that we can't afford to (and shouldn't) drop any of those to. That said, I'm calling it 1-0 United

Bryan Ashlock: I don't know guys. Marcus Rashford is super amazing. 2-1 United