After a run of interesting and draining league fixtures, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United will go head to head today in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Tottenham Hotspur beat Rochdale and Swansea City in the last two rounds to reach the semi-final this year but Spurs have lost each of their last nine semi-final appearances in the FA Cup and will look to turn things around this time.
Mauricio Pochettino is yet to win any trophy in his nine years as a manager and will want to go all the way this year at least. Jose Mourinho, who has lifted the FA Cup just once as a manager, beat Huddersfield Town and Brighton to get here and he will also want to go all the way, with this game providing them with the only chance of silverware this season.
United have not lost to Spurs in the FA Cup since 1980 but have lost two of their last three semi-final appearances in this competition. They lost to Spurs at Wembley earlier in the season in the domestic league but beat them at Old Trafford and will be confident of knocking them out of the competition later today.
Spurs have also picked up just a point from their last two league games and will be under pressure. They last won a trophy back in 2008 and the pressure will surely tell. Mourinho and his experience will give Pochettino a tough time in this game but playing at their home ground, Spurs also have a decent chance in this tie. Here is the team news, predicted lineups, prediction and betting odds for this game:
Team News:
Tottenham Hotspur:
In early team news, Danny Rose and Harry Winks are both doubtful for this game along with Kyle Walker-Peters, who is ruled out. They remain the only absentees, giving Pochettino a fully fit first team to chose from, ahead of this game.
Expected lineup (4-2-3-1):
Lloris; Davies, Vertonghen, Sanchez, Trippier; Dier, Dembele; Eriksen, Alli, Son; Kane
Manchester United:
The Red Devils have no new injury issues to worry about ahead of this game against Spurs. Sergio Romero remains the only absentee for this weekend for Mourinho.
Expected lineup (4-3-3):
De Gea; Young, Jones, Bailly, Valencia; Matic, Pogba, Herrera; Lingard, Rashford, Lukaku
Betting Odds:
Tottenham Hotspur – 13/10
Draw – 12/5
Manchester United – 12/5
Predictions:
Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Manchester United
Though Spurs are surely expected to give a fight, Jose and his tactical nous might just be enough to get him another Cup final appearance.