Sunday is a day of reckoning for Andre Villas-Boas, a chance for him to lay down a marker of progress at Tottenham or concede that despite the club's good recent form they haven't actually moved that far forward this season.

They currently lie fourth in the Premier League, the minimum requirement nowadays, and are well placed ahead of Manchester United's visit to White Hart Lane. Just two points behind Chelsea who are third, but defeat could leave them cut adrift of the top three and in danger of being caught by the chasing pack - Everton are just three points behind while Arsenal trail by six but have a game in hand.

Spurs have shown consistency under Villas-Boas, they have lost just one of their previous ten league games for example, but equally, the victory over United in September aside, they have a poor record against their other top-six rivals in the league - losing to Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Everton - and perhaps even worse, taking the lead in all of those defeats.

This hints that Spurs are a work in progress and still have a soft core not used to closing out important victories against their rivals. That is something their opponents pride themselves on, a strength if you like, as evidenced by their ruthless victory against a spirited Liverpool side last weekend and a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

United will be relishing the trip to north London, with Sir Alex Ferguson hungry for a convincing performance following the insipid FA Cup win against West Ham in midweek and, as previously mentioned, the shock defeat to Spurs at Old Trafford.

Far from a vintage side, United have been a relentless point-collecting beast this campaign - amassing an average of 2.5 points per game - and are spearheaded by the division's deadliest finisher, Robin van Persie.

Spurred on by the pain of losing the league title on the last day of last season, Fergie is not taking any chances this season with only a victory, by any means, acceptable as he bears in on a 13th championship title. It is more about winning, than winning pretty as United's assembled ranks do battle.

Tottenham are collecting enough wins against the division's lower sides to make a top-four finish achievable, and in a season that has seen AVB tamper with the side's style and personnel that is a realistic target. For United, only the title will do - Sunday's showdown is a vital game, especially if City collect three points on Saturday.

Tottenham player to watch: Aaron Lennon The nippy winger has finally put his injury woes behind him and begun to reproduce the stellar form he is capable of again. He is sometimes overshadowed by the highly-acclaimed Mousa Dembele or Gareth Bale but Lennon has been crucial to some of Spurs' best performances this season and will be given the opportunity to get at United on Sunday. In terms of goals conceded the visitors are very much a mid-table side, and without a regular backline to call upon they are susceptible to pace, having to rely on outscoring their opponents. United's defensive frailties have already been highlighted by Tottenham this season, if the best way to beat the league leaders is on the front foot then Lennon will be key.

Manchester United player to watch: Robin van Persie Manchester United have strength in depth, the ten changes they made to their side for the FA Cup third round replay against West Ham showed that, but the manner of that display lacked a cutting edge and there is no substitute for class, especially when it comes in the form of a striker that has got 21 goals and six assists this season and pulled the side out of all kinds of sticky situations. His movement and ability to finish from almost any angle have made him a nightmare for defenders this season, and Spurs will have to be on top of their game to keep him quiet. Expect Van Persie to be reinstated on Sunday and expect him to be on the scoresheet.

Key battle: Gareth Bale v Man United defence United's defence is in a state of flux. The quality is there without doubt, but injury problems have swept the board, stopping Chris Smalling and Phil Jones playing as many games as Fergie would want, and slowly robbing Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra of the tools that put them at the top of their trade. Gareth Bale, as he has shown in abundance this season, is brimming with confidence and unafraid to go through the middle as well as the wings making him a fearsome opponent for a nervous defence. Depending on who is fit, and selected, the game could be won and lost on the ability to keep Bale at bay.


http://espnfc.com/en/preview/345651/preview.html?soccernet=true&cc=3888

two scum teams *spits*

knock yourselves out, fight a lot

someone please break pursestrings leg

This na match o, besides i forsee a draw game 2:2..its gonno be hot!!

[size=24pt]come on you spurs[/size]

all you devil worshippers i need you to answer my questions here https://www.nairaland.com/1168897/red-devils#13921804

tottenham all the way

Go United!!!

bad belle all the way...GGMU I REMAIN

GGMU, UP MAN U, UNITED WE STAND!!!

United all d way

go spud no fall ma leg n hand spud 4 match shiit 1 dats a decent prediction

3 points for Man U come wat may.*U knw hw we do it* United 4 lyfffffff!

HA!HA!HO!
I see the haters are out in full force. When are they gonna learn?
The mistake of last season must be buried totally and completely. There is NO losing the title on goal difference again-that is why United are a point amassing relent less beast this season.
Tottenham are a good side but United are better and never say die.
I expect United to pick three points after a hard fought battle.

Tym 2 Revenge afta d 1st leg incident which tukplace @ OldTrafford

Come on you spurs. Do the double

manmustwac: Come on you spurs. Do the double

double ko tripple ni

Would the game still hold? Cos of this snow

Ikpeba abeg take am easy...my pikin dey sleep.

I wish Man United the best of ill luck

Abeg make person break v persie leg

game on..abeg wetin jones de do for here i sure say him go jones 2day

2 useless teams

i hope they get lots of cards today

game on

lucenzo: Ikpeba abeg take am easy...my pikin dey sleep.

de guy wan kill me wit english..everitim him go de talk '' in de middle of de park''

Ferguson why did u start DANNY WELBECK

mukina2: game on

you don comot SA enter UK?

Still first page? Why nah?

mukina2: 2 useless teams

i hope they get lots of cards today

As useless as your Arsenal team abi..........wake up jare! Your bad belle no go take you anywhere.

jons de jonser more of that biko

Havilah93:
you don comot SA enter UK?

am efriwhere

mukina2: 2 useless teams

i hope they get lots of cards today

see ur mouth. U think say na nyanshenal dey play.