Tottenham will be looking to stay hot on the heels of Manchester City and Arsenal on Wednesday night when they face Manchester United in the Premier League.
With Arsenal and Man City both out of action, a win for Spurs against Man United could see Antonio Conte's side jump into second place, three points ahead of the Premier League champions and just a point behind Arsenal. Following defeat to their north London rivals, Spurs have rediscovered their winning form, beating Brighton and Everton in their last two games.
But, a third win on the trot for Spurs won't be easy, with a trip to Old Trafford awaiting. Spurs are winless against United in the last three meetings between the sides, with the Lilywhites conceding three goals in each.
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Richarlison is set to miss out after picking up an injury against Everton, though his injury is not as bad as first thought. Japhet Tanganga is also ruled out alongside the suspended Emerson Royal, whilst Dejan Kulusevski is a doubt after not being fit enough to make the squad on the weekend.
So, could Spurs end their poor record against United on Wednesday? We simulated the game to find out. To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We simulated Manchester United vs Spurs to get a score prediction
We predict that the hosts could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; McTominay, Casemiro; Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford; Ronaldo.
We predict that Spurs could line up in a 3-4-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Lloris; Romero, Dier, Davies; Doherty, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Sessegnon; Perisic, Kane, Son.
It was a nightmare start for Spurs at Old Trafford, with Man United taking the lead after just 94 seconds through Bruno Fernandes.
United were quick out the blocks from kick-off, but Spurs pressed the hosts back into their half whilst keeping a high line. As Lisandro Martinez picked up possession for United, his long ball forward caught out the Spurs backline, picking out Jadon Sancho on the wing.
Sancho's cross into the box was met by the late run of Bruno Fernandes, and unmarked, the midfielder found the bottom corner to send his side into the lead. But, Spurs responded brilliantly, and Harry Kane found the equaliser not long after.
Ryan Sessegnon did well to bundle his way through two challenges on the left before approaching the box, and the defender's low cross into the area was dummied by Son Heung-min, falling to the feet of Kane. The feint from Son pulled both Martinez and Raphael Varane out of position, allowing Kane a free shot at goal as the striker found the far corner of the net.
With the game level, Hugo Lloris was producing a fine display in goal to save Spurs on multiple occasions in the first half, denying Sancho and Marcus Rashford brilliantly. But, the 'keeper's hard work was undone just before the break as Cristiano Ronaldo sent United ahead.
United worked the ball down the left before Rashford squared the ball to Fernandes inside the area. As the midfielder looked to shoot, Ronaldo peeled off his marker and was picked out by the United captain, tapping home from close range.
It was poor defending from Spurs to allow Ronaldo the space in the box, and despite their best efforts in the second half, Conte's side failed to find another equaliser as they fell to defeat in Manchester.
FIFA 23 predicted final score: Manchester United 2-1 Tottenham
Here are the full-time match stats.
FIFA 23 predicts that Spurs could find it hard against United on Wednesday, with Conte's side losing 2-1 in the simulation. Some poor marking and tracking from Spurs' midfield allowed United plenty of chances throughout the game, whilst a lacklustre display going forward saw Kane and Son provided with limited service.
What do you think the final score will be on Wednesday? Let us know in the comments!
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