Key Facts
- United start in fourth place (41 points), just one point ahead of Chelsea, while Tottenham (14th/29) are caught between catching up with the leaders and pressure from Palace.
- Under Michael Carrick, United won three games in a row, including 3-2 at Arsenal and 2-0 against City; strong offensively in open games, but vulnerable defensively, as in the 3-2 win over Fulham.
- Tottenham showed control in the Champions League with two 2-0 clean sheet wins, but have been inconsistent in the league; Solanke’s brace in the 2-2 draw with City underlines their directness.
- Tottenham travel with a severely depleted squad: Maddison, Kudus, Bentancur, Porro and Richarlison are all missing; without these sources of creativity and crosses, creating chances will be hard work.
- In direct comparison, Spurs are unbeaten in five games (four wins, one draw); with United conceding early goals and fewer than 1.5 goals in each first half.
- The market sees United as clear home favorites at 1.6; even more interesting is “United to win the second half,” as they have scored after the break in five games and have not lost a second half.
When momentum meets pressure at Old Trafford, small things suddenly become loud: Manchester United go into matchday 25 fourth in the Premier League with 41 points, just one point behind Chelsea, while Tottenham are 14th in the table with 29 points, with Brighton within reach above them and Crystal Palace level on points behind them. The last league meeting in November ended 2-2 in north London, a reminder that Spurs can remain uncomfortable opponents even in a season of turmoil. Three points set the tone for the betting assessment: Manchester United to win as the basic idea, Manchester United to win – 2nd half due to their recent control after the break, and Both teams to score: Yes, because both are scoring goals at the moment, but are also not immune to conceding goals.
- Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
- Date and time: 07.02.2026, 1:30 p.m.
- Competition: Premier League (Matchday 25)
The betting market treats United as clear home favorites, with odds of 1.6, and the logic is understandable: Michael Carrick has got the team back on track for victory, Tottenham are traveling without key creative players such as Maddison and Kudus, and Bentancur and Porro are also missing, while United’s central axis of Casemiro and Fernandes often sets the pace. Nevertheless, it’s worth taking a closer look at “Manchester United to win – 2nd half,” because their recent pattern is late control and goals, while Tottenham’s thin squad often falters. At the same time, “Both teams to score: Yes” remains plausible because Tottenham continue to score despite injuries, and United have conceded in two consecutive league games despite their upward trend.
Manchester United Form & Record Check
United’s league form clearly bears Carrick’s hallmark, with the exclamation point of the 3-2 win at Arsenal and the 2-0 home win against Manchester City. This fits with the impression that this team is at its best when games open up and space is created. The recent 3-2 win against Fulham continued this trend, ultimately decisive, but not without nervousness defensively. The phase after the break is particularly striking. United have scored in the second half of each of their last five competitive games and have not lost any of those second halves, which speaks for their fitness and Carrick’s feel for making adjustments during the game. Seskos’ late winner against Fulham also showed how valuable the bench can be when games descend into chaos. Offensively, more and more is coming through Fernandes, through his crosses and his timing. Casemiro continues to find ways to turn games around, as evidenced by his goal and assist against Fulham. Cunha’s finishing ability is a problem for opponents when he gets the ball in the left half-space, but with de Ligt out, United sometimes look a bit thin at center back. That’s why a clean sheet feels less reliable than a home win.
Carrick is likely to stick with a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Lammens almost certain to start as number 1. Dalot, Maguire, Martínez, and Shaw seem like the obvious back four, with Casemiro and Mainoo playing as double sixes in front of them. In front of them, Fernandes is expected to be the central playmaker, flanked by Diallo and Cunha, while Mbeumo is likely to lead the line up front. This remains a prediction and nothing has been confirmed yet, but the absences of de Ligt and Dorgu further limit the options in defense. Without de Ligt’s build-up passes from central defense, United could play a little more directly into Fernandes and Cunha between the lines. If Carrick wants a more classic center forward late in the game, Sesko or Zirkzee are the obvious alternatives from the bench.
Tottenham Form & Record Check
Tottenham’s recent results tell two stories, depending on the competition. In the Champions League, they have found control and kept two clean sheets, beating Dortmund 2-0 and Frankfurt 2-0, but in the Premier League it has been much tougher, with a 2-2 draw at Burnley and a 2-1 home defeat to West Ham. This split fits with a squad that can execute a plan cleanly but doesn’t always follow through week in, week out. Last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City was a strong example of their determination. They came back, Solanke scored twice, and it showed how direct they can be when Simons finds space between the lines and the runs are bold. Nevertheless, the comeback had the familiar warning signs, they conceded early and had to constantly solve problems instead of dictating the game. The personnel situation remains the big unknown. Maddison, Kudus, and Bentancur are unavailable, and without Porro, Spurs lack a natural source of width and crosses, which quickly makes creating chances hard work. Van de Ven is back in training and Romero should be available after his illness, which could stabilize the defense, even if Romero’s recent social media outburst adds to the unrest in a week when focus and discipline are key.
Thomas Frank is likely to stick with a 3-4-2-1 formation for Spurs, with Vicario behind a back three of van de Ven, Romero, and Drăgușin. Spence and Udogie would likely provide width as wingbacks, while Gallagher and Bissouma would anchor the midfield. Simons and Kulusevski could be given creative responsibility in the half-spaces, supporting Tel as the central striker. Porro’s thigh problem leaves the right side thin, so Spence is the most likely solution. With Maddison and Bentancur out, Spurs may look to Simons and Gallagher to carry the ball forward rather than a classic number 10. The fact that Tel is starting could indicate that Solanke is being carefully managed after his recent limp, with Kolo Muani the other obvious option. Bergvall, Kudus, and Richarlison remain unavailable.
Manchester United – Tottenham Head-to-Head Comparison & Statistics
Tottenham are unbeaten in their last five meetings, with four wins and a draw, including a 1-0 victory in the Europa League final in May 2025. The most recent encounter, a 2-2 draw in November 2025, was the one occasion on which United avoided defeat during this period, but it also fitted the familiar pattern of Spurs causing problems in the early stages. A clear pattern in these games is that Tottenham take control early on, while United regularly concede goals in the first half. There is also noticeably little spectacle to be seen before the break, with each of the last five first halves remaining below 1.5 goals. United have not won a second half in this sample of five games, which explains why Carrick’s current strength after the break seems so important if they are to finally break the recent trend.
