vs.
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EPL Matchweek 17 | K/O 1730GMT
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Venue: White Hart Lane
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News
Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov is struggling to be fit for the return to his old club Spurs as he battles to overcome an Achilles injury.
Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra are suspended, but Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to return after a hip injury.
Michael Carrick and Rio Ferdinand are also doubtful starters.
"I don't know if Carrick is going to be fit, I don't know if Berbatov is going to be fit," said Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
"Rio Ferdinand picked up a back spasm again, so that is a concern for us too. With the squad we've got I hope we can cope but I'd rather not have [the problems]."
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Big Match Facts
Manchester United, Group E Champions League winners despite a midweek home draw to Aalborg, have this one opportunity to add to their 500 league wins under Sir Alex Ferguson before leaving for Tokyo and the World Club Championship.
Victory for the Red Devils from this Saturday teatime kick off would leave them just two points behind second placed Chelsea, who do not entertain West Ham until Sunday.
Three points for a rejuvenated Tottenham could lift them into the top-half.
In his managerial career, Harry Redknapp has masterminded five victories (two Premier League, and three FA Cups) over Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United.
During Sir Alex's 22-year tenure at Old Trafford, Spurs have undertaken 19 managerial changes (either permanent or caretaker).
Spurs have failed to beat Manchester United in 15 attempts in all competitions, but were within seconds of doing so when they last met in February. Carlos Tevez got the Red Devils out of jail by volleying in at the near post in the third minute of stoppage time for a 1-1 draw.
Manchester United have scored more Premier League points against Tottenham than any other club (75).
Distance between the clubs: 197 miles (317 kilometres)
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Club Form
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
15th 18 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 9th
Lowest realistically could fall: 15th
1. Alternated between victory and loss in their last five Premier League matches, culminating in Monday's 0-2 away win over West Ham.
2. Monday's victory was their ninth in 12 games since the arrival of Harry Redknapp.
3. Only three points behind last season's total at this same stage, when they were 13th.
4. Scored six goals in the last five minutes of Premier League games this season.
5. Need a victory to total 150 in home Premier League games all-time.
6. Ended a five-game winning home run in all competitions, and suffered their first home defeat under Harry Redknapp in the most recent fixture at the Lane; 0-1 to Everton on 30 November.
7. The 2-1 home victory over Liverpool on 1 November was their first win in 16 matches against the 'Big Four' clubs, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, spanning two years.
8. Defeat to the Toffees was their first points dropped in five top-flight fixtures against North-West clubs.
9. This match precedes a Uefa Cup Group D clash, home to Spartak Moscow next Thursday.
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MANCHESTER UNITED
3rd 31 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 3rd
Lowest realistically could fall: 4th
1. Won the last two Premier League games, and unbeaten in four; claimed 10 points out of 12 since losing 2-1, away to Arsenal on 8 November.
2. Not conceded in those four games, or in 402 minutes (six hours 42 minutes) since Samir Nasri scored Arsenal's second in their odd goal in three home victory just over a month ago.
3. Lost only one of the last 12 Premier League matches, but the next defeat will be their 150th in top-flight football under Sir Alex Ferguson.
4. Two points down on their total at this same stage last season when second in the table.
5. Need a draw to total 600 away points all-time in the Premier League.
6. Defending an unbeaten record against bottom-half clubs this season.
7. Failed to win either of their league visits to London this season.
8. Won only one of eight Premier League trips to the capital; 0-3 against Fulham on 1 March.
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Key Player Notes
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Heurelho GOMES is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Tottenham's Premier League matches this season.
If selected:-
Didier ZOKORA will be playing on the eve of his 28th birthday.
Roman PAVLYCHENKO will be playing two days before his 27th birthday.
Frazier CAMPBELL is a Manchester United loanee.
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MANCHESTER UNITED
Patrice EVRA is the only player to have started each of Manchester United's Premier League games this season.
If selected:-
Carlos TEVEZ will be making his 100th appearance for an English club (West Ham and Manchester United).
Michael CARRICK will be facing a former club. The 27 year old England international midfielder made 75 appearances (64 in the league) and scored two league goals for Spurs between August 2004 and his £18.6m move to Old Trafford in July 2006.
Suspended:-
Wayne ROONEY (one match)
Patrice EVRA (four matches)
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Head to Head
Tottenham have not won in 14 Premier League meetings with Manchester United, since a 3-1 home victory on 19 May 2001, when a brace from Willem Korsten and a Les Ferdinand goal made it a victorious end to the season.
The 32 Premier League matches between these clubs have yielded 83 goals. Spurs have only managed two clean sheets; both via goalless draws at Old Trafford on 15 March 1995 and 4 January 2005.
United have won twice as many league matches against Tottenham (70) as they have lost to them (35).
Home and away
League (inc PL): Spurs 35 wins, Man United 70, Draws 37
Prem: Spurs 3 wins, Man United 23, Draws 6
at Spurs only
League (inc PL): Spurs 25 wins, Man United 23, Draws 23
Prem: Spurs 3 wins, Man United 10, Draws 3
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Last Season's Corresponding Game
Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Manchester United
2 February 2008 - Ref: Mark Clattenburg
Spurs scorer: Berbatov 21
Man Utd scorer: Tevez 90
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Referee
Matches:14
Red: 5
Yellow: 55
Average: 4.29
