Tottenham test for stuttering Manchester United

Friday, April 24, 2009 at 6:33 PM Posted by Beijing News


Manchester United can take a huge step towards retaining their Premier League title on Saturday but first they must do what none of their rivals have managed this season -- take all three points from a meeting with Tottenham.

Harry Redknapp's side may have spent the first half of the season struggling near the bottom of the table, but a defeat of Liverpool, a win and a draw against Chelsea and two draws with Arsenal underline their ability to raise their game against top level opponents.

Liverpool's 4-4 draw with Arsenal in midweek has increased United's margin for error.

But although Sir Alex Ferguson's men capitalised with a 2-0 win over Portsmouth 24 hours later, their performance was sufficiently jittery to suggest Tottenham could pose a tougher challenge at Old Trafford.

Spurs defender Jonathan Woodgate is anticipating a tight encounter and does not expect United to rest any of their big names ahead of Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Arsenal.

"We haven't been beaten by any of the top sides in the league this season and we have beaten Liverpool and Chelsea," Woodgate said.

"Our record against the top four is impeccable but United will put out a strong side and it will be very tough."

The early evening match will see Michael Carrick come up against his former club and the midfielder believes United just need to hold their nerve for the final month of the campaign.

"Liverpool's draw was a big boost and we're in a decent position now," he said. "Hopefully we can keep the momentum going until the end of the season and put the league to bed as quickly as we can. There are big games coming thick and fast and we need to be at our best in all of them."

Liverpool, who have been scoring freely but also leaking goals of late, cannot afford to dwell on their midweek setback as they prepare for what is likely to be a ferociously contested meeting with Hull.

Phil Brown's side are fighting for their Premier League lives with only a three-point cushion between them and the relegation zone.

Sunderland, who are only a point better off than Hull, will be desperate to take all three points from their trip to bottom side West Brom, who could be relegated as early as next weekend if results go against them.

Middlesbrough, who travel to Arsenal on Sunday, could benefit if Arsene Wenger opts to rest some of his big names ahead of the Champions League clash with Manchester United.

Gareth Southgate's side, who entertain United next weekend, desperately need to start picking up some points and the Boro boss believes the fact that his side have been in trouble for so long could actually help them beat the drop.

"In a strange way, we have got less tension about us because we have faced the worst possible scenario being where we are, and we have realised we can handle that," Southgate said.

"If you can handle that, you can look forward and see what we can go on and achieve."

With West Ham entertaining Chelsea, Fulham will be hoping for a win over Stoke that could see them leapfrog their London rivals into seventh, the final qualifying spot for next season's Europa League, the successor to the UEFA Cup.

Newcastle v Portsmouth 1900 GMT



Clary

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)