Tottenham will be without Michael Dawson and Roman Pavlyuchenko, while Fraizer Campbell can`t play under the terms of his loan. Ledley King will as usual be assessed today and tomorrow prior to the game, but after missing last week, it is expected he will be fit to start. As yet there is silence on Jermaine Jenas. Perhaps a bit of Harry psychology as I think if he is 100% he will play alongside Palacios in place of Huddlestone.
In defence, if king is fit he will surely play alongside Woodgate, with Ekotto on the left. I wonder If Harry will go with the recent form and probably better defensive discipline of Vedran Corluka or the more attack minded Alan Hutton, who impressed in his hour against Newcastle. Not only linking up well with Lennon in offering a more attacking threat, but he also defended well. For me a 50/50 call. I have a feeling that we will see Corluka win the day and start, but he will of course be expected to play in the centre if Ledley doesn`t make it.
Three of the midfield pick themselves, in Lennon, Palacios and Modric, it is only a question of whether JJ is fit to play the 90 minutes. As well as Hudd has played in his last two games, I worry that he will lack the pace and mobility against United, something Jenas has and for me he is the better player against teams who move the ball around quickly, like United. If Hudd does play, it will be a massive test of his ability to play against the best. Another good and commanding display tomorrow and he will be justified in expecting to start against all opposition. But although I would go with JJ, a good game from Hudd would absolutely delight me.
With Pav and Campbell both unavailable, it is a straight pick between Darren Bent and Jermain Defoe to partner Robbie Keane. My initial thinking was that Harry would go with Defoe, but Bent has match fitness and dare I say a proven partnership with Keane to his advantage. Add match fitness and he has to be the man to start, with Defoe used later from the bench if needed. Bent has an away goal-scoring record to match any player in the Prem this season. Defoe has only a few minutes football behind him and may not yet be at his best, a fans pick rather than the sensible one for me.
spurs fan above.
My thoughts are a draw ... but my head says a very narrow win for the manc's .... hope im wrong.