Are Spurs underrated when United visit White Hart Lane?

Are Spurs underrated when United visit White Hart Lane?

By Michael Gales Nov 27, 2013

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With Manchester United undefeated in the last ten games at White Hart Lane, we look at both the handicap history and form to see if they offer bettors a better chance than the 1×2 of making a profit on Spurs this Saturday?

Is Spurs’ struggle to score affecting their handicap form?

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas is under intense pressure after Spurs suffered a humiliating 6-0 defeat last time out at Manchester City. Despite spending around 100m in the summer, the Lilywhites have failed to impress and currently sit 9th.

Until the game against City, Spurs had the best defensive record in the Premier League, had dominated possession in 81% of their EPL games and had the most shots on target.

However it is their poor form in front of goal that is unsettling the fans.  Despite dominating the play and creating a host of chances, they have scored just nine goals – third worst in the Premier League – and hold the record for worst shot to goal ratio in the division.

Spurs spent big money on Roberto Soldado in the summer who AVB hoped would lead the line for his possession-based style of play. Despite his obvious talent he has struggled in front of goal – scoring just four EPL goals and three from the spot. Spurs’ troubles in front of goal led to AVB bringing on Emmanuel Adebayor – who hadn’t played a game all season and had been training with the reserves – over Jermaine Defoe against City. Does this show AVB is desperate for a target man to fit his tactics?

With a lack of goals, it is interesting to note that Spurs have covered 50% of games this season.

However, at White Hart Lane despite covering the spread in the first two games against Swansea and Norwich respectively, they have failed to do so since – four games. In these four games they have scored just two goals, which highlights their problem in front of goal, and is a bad omen ahead of the visit of one of their bogey teams.

Bettors need to work out whether this is a short-term problem and that their lack of goals is down to bad luck – against Newcastle Tim Krul made 14 saves, which is an EPL record – or if the problem is more deep rooted to AVB’s tactics and the lack of a focal point in attack?

United continue to struggle on the handicap

Manchester United are unbeaten in their last ten games in all competitions. Since their 2-1 home defeat at the hands of West Brom they have gone six games unbeaten in the EPL and have climbed to sixth in the table.

United may have started to put their unconvincing start to the season behind them and to showcase the form of defending champions but what does this mean for handicap betting?

A look at their handicap form versus the spread shows that they are underperforming as they have covered just three (25%) games all season – joint worst in the EPL.

Last season they covered the spread on the road in 52.6% of games compared to this season, which has seen them cover just 33% of games away from the ‘Theatre of Dreams’.

Despite their recent unbeaten run, United are still not performing to the standards assigned by the bookies. Bettors should decide whether or not the bookies are overestimating their strength?

Tottenham vs. Manchester United: Head-to-head at White Hart Lane

In the Premier League Tottenham have failed to beat Manchester United at White Hart Lane in the last ten seasons – losing six and drawing four.

Despite failing to beat United they have covered the spread in 40% of games – the four draws – which is due to Spurs being handicap underdogs in all ten games.

This year the handicap is set at 0 with Tottenham as the 1.877* favourites and United at 2.070*. Have the bookmakers realised they have been overestimating the strength of United, and adjusted the handicap accordingly? Or do they believe Spurs’ troubles up front are more to do with bad luck and that they are ready to turn their fortunes around? Either way it’s up to the bettor to decide which team will prevail in a game the bookmakers have both teams at equal strength.

Click here to see the latest Tottenham vs. Manchester United odds.

*Odds subject to change

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