Tottenham Hotspur will be buzzing to go up against Manchester United on the pitch they have called home for the entirety of the 2017/18 season. The two teams are set to face off for the FA Cup Semi-Final on Saturday.
Their best and only chance of collecting silverware this season. Obviously, a meticulously planned tactical battle is expected to ensue at Wembley with teams well rested and healthy.
United won 2-0 against Brighton And Hove Albion to progress to this round of the prestigious competition and the Spurs had to thrash Swansea City by 3 goals. Christian Eriksen got the opening two for the North London side while Erik Lamela scored the winner with a clever nutmegged effort.
The Red Devils amended the 0-1 last weekend defeat to West Brom by beating Bournemouth 0-2 at the Vitality on Wednesday. Romelu Lukaku and Chris Smalling scored the two goals, one in the first half and the Belgian in the second.
Tottenham, on the other hand, drew 1-1 to a relegation concerned Brighton And Hove Albion and put themselves in a concerning spot with 4 games still left in the league campaign. A slip up could very much be possible after Chelsea’s 2-3 win over Southampton and Tottenham’s 1-3 loss to Manchester City in the previous tie.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men were well-beaten by the league leaders. United succeed in prolonging the coronation period by beating City 2-3 at the Etihad but subsequently handed over the trophy by losing to Albion at the Old Trafford.
The dramatic end of the season is upon us and Saturday promises to deliver some more. It would be fair to assume that nothing less than a win is acceptable for both sides at this point of the campaign.
While Mourinho will be tinkering with his defensive setup Pochettino might just come in full guns blazing. Here is how the former is exacted to field his team on game day.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Defence
David De Gea is the uncontested starter in between the sticks as Sergio Romero recovers from his injury.
The 4-man backline is set to feature Ashley Young, Chris Smalling, Eric Bailly and Antonio Valencia.
Midfield
Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic are to be recalled to the starting lineup to marshal the midfield. Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Alexis Sanchez are expected to start in front of the duo.
Attack
Romelu Lukaku is the predicted starter in the number nine role with Anthony Martial starting from the bench.
