FORM
Manchester United
Mar 30: Bayer Munich 2-1 Man Utd (European Cup)
Apr 3: Man Utd 1-2 Chelsea (Premier League)
Apr 7: Man Utd 3-2 Bayern Munich (European Cup)
Apr 11: Blackburn 0-0 Man Utd(Premier League)
Apr 17: Man City 0-1 Man Utd(Premier League)
Tottenham
Marh 27: Tottenham 2-0 Portsmouth (Premier League)
Apr 3: Sunderland 3-1 Tottenham (Premier League)
Apr 11: Tottenham 0-2 Portsmouth (FA Cup)
Apr 14: Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal (Premier League)
Apr 17: Tottenham 2-1 Chelsea (Premier League)
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United
Wes Brown and Rio Ferdinand could return to the United back line
for the visit of Spurs. Ferguson will monitor the duo on Friday,
but will definitely not be able to call upon Michael Owen or
Anderson.
Ferguson had hoped to also include Owen Hargreaves in his matchday
squad to face Spurs, but the midfielder has missed the last two
days' training with a calf injury.
Last starting XI (v Man City): Van der Sar, Evra, Vidic,
Neville, Jonny Evans, Fletcher, Valencia, Gibson, Giggs, Scholes,
Rooney.
Tottenham
Spurs will be boosted by news Aaron Lennon could be fit enough for
a place on the bench. The winger may well return from his
four-month groin injury absence that had threatened his place
in England's World Cup squad.
Spurs, meanwhile, are without Carlo Cudicini, Jonathan Woodgate,
Aaron Lennon, Niko Kranjcar and Danny Rose while Jermaine Jenas
featured in a reserve game this week, against West Ham, and could
be available.
Ledley King, rested against Chelsea after featuring in the win over
Arsenal, could be made available to return to central
defense.
Last starting XI (v Chelsea): Gomes, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto,
Bale, Kaboul, Bassong, Huddlestone, Bentley, Modric, Pavlyuchenko,
Defoe.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester United
It looks like Dimitar Berbatov's excellent season
at Spurs two years ago may have just been a flash in the pan. A
total of 27 goals from the Bulgarian convinced Ferguson to shell
out £30.75m - a UK record at the time - for his services, but it
just hasn't worked out at United. The 'own goals' column reads only
two less than Berbatov this season.
As a result he could be out the door this summer, but is likely to
feature at some point against his former colleagues and could have
a say in the season's outcome. He'll certainly be keen to prove
himself.
Tottenham
Moving Gareth Bale to left-midfield from left-back
could turn out to be the smartest thing Harry Redknapp has ever
done. The young Welshman has been in superb form on the Spurs'
wing; scoring goals - including against both Chelsea and Arsenal in
recent weeks - and winning penalties with his marauding, twisting
runs.
Sadly, his form has come too late for any awards, and his heritage
means he won't get to continue that in South Africa, but the
youngster will be keen to impress against the title holders. If
only he was English...
PREDICTION
Both teams still have so much to play for that neither will take
this tie lightly, and with each of their respective rivals likely
to pick up points, a win is vital for both.
Spurs are on a brilliant run of form, but must take it to a venue
they have never won at in the Premier League, against a United side
still reveling in their last-minute win over rivals City.
Expect a very hard-fought game, with little given either way, but
United's quality to just edge them closer to Chelsea.
Manchester United 2 Tottenham
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