Tottenham v Manchester United - Match preview and team news
Champions League-chasing Tottenham play host to a Manchester United side that will expect to have their lead cut to just four points by the time the game at White Hart Lane kicks off on Sunday afternoon, with Manchester City in action at home to Fulham a day earlier.
The Lilywhites are looking for their best double over United in 23 years, having won at Old Trafford earlier this season, and have not beaten Sir Alex Ferguson’s men at White Hart Lane in the league since a 3-1 victory in May 2001.
With defensive-midfielder Sandro ruled out for the rest of the season with a cruciate knee ligament injury, Scott Parker is likely to take his place in Andre Villas-Boas’ starting XI. Elsewhere, Emmanuel Adebayor is away with Togo at the Africa Cup of Nations so Clint Dempsey, a scorer in the famous 3-2 win at Old Trafford, set to start behind Jermain Defoe. William Gallas faces a late fitness test over a calf injury while Younes Kaboul remains a long-term absentee.
For the league leaders, a raft of changes are expected to be made from the FA Cup replay victory over West Ham in midweek, although Wayne Rooney is likely to continue up front partnering the mercurial Robin Van Persie. Darren Fletcher has been ruled out of the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on his chronic bowel condition, while Ashley Young and Jonny Evans miss out with knee and hamstring injuries respectively, leaving the space clear for Nani and Antonio Valencia to fight for the wide birth, and skipper Nemanja Vidic to resume his partnership with Rio Ferdinand at the back.
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