We are now in the business end of the Carabao Cup as Premier League Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester United in North London with a place in the semi-finals up for grabs.
Both sides will be hoping to make it all the way with a potential trip to Wembley just three games away and the first chance of silverware of the season on the line.
Ange Postecoglou and Ruben Amorim both head into this clash with confidence after picking up maximum points in the Premier League this previous weekend. Tottenham hit five past Southampton while the Red Devils claimed the bragging rights in the Manchester derby as they beat the struggling Manchester City late on.
Tottenham Hotspur Team news
Spurs will be without several key players for this fixture, including midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur who will serve his sixth game of his seven-game suspension in the game.
Postecoglou will also be without Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Richarlison, Ben Davies, Wilson Odebert, and Guglielmo Vicario as they all remain unavailable through injury. Fullback Destiny Udogie is also a doubt for this game having sustained a thigh injury in their victory over Southampton.
However, midfielder Yves Bissouma will be available for selection as he returns from suspension and is expected to go straight back into the eleven.
Manchester United Team news
For Manchester United, they will be without Luke Shaw who continues to recover from a hamstring injury. They will also be without Mason Mount as the midfielder was forced off with an injury early on in the Manchester derby, while defender Noussair Mazouri is also a doubt for the game.
Both Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho are in contention to return to the squad for this game as the pair missed the Manchester derby after being dropped by Ruben Amorim ahead of the game.
Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur form guide
Despite winning their last game 5-0 against Southampton in the Premier League this was Tottenham’s only win in their six games in all competitions. In their last six games they have one win, three draws, and two losses.
Their last victory at home came all the way back on the 3rd of November when they beat Aston Villa 4-1 so they will be looking to turn their home fortunes around in this game.
As for Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United, they’re coming off a derby day win against Manchester City so they will also be full of confidence. In their previous six fixtures in all competitions, they have four victories and two losses.
Players to watch
One player who has stepped up for Tottenham and could be a key player in this game is James Maddison. The 28-year-old is Tottenham’s top scorer this season with seven goals including two in his last game. The midfielder also has five assists this season so will be a real threat for Manchester United.
For Manchester United, their real difference maker has been Amad Diallo and he continued his impressive form for his side against Manchester City as he not only scored the winner late on but also was clever in winning a penalty that allowed his side back in the game.
The 22-year-old is having a magnificent season with four goals and six assists and has constantly looked like Manchester United’s most dangerous player.
Prediction
Manchester United were destroyed by Tottenham at Old Trafford in the Premier League 3-0 earlier on in the season but a lot has changed since then.
Tottenham’s injuries to key players and poor form will give Manchester United a lot of confidence going into the game and possibly a slight edge.
This game has all the ingredients for a classic cup encounter with a high chance of plenty of goals and a real end-to-end game.
Prediction – Tottenham 1-2 Manchester United