Mark Lawrenson is backing Spurs to beat Manchester United this afternoon.
Mark Lawrenson
Pundit Mark Lawrenson has told BBC Sport that he thinks Tottenham Hotspur will beat Manchester United 2-1 at White Hart Lane this afternoon.
Spurs head into their final ever game at White Hart Lane today, with their final two games of the season coming away from home at Leicester City and Hull City.
After 118 years at White Hart Lane, Tottenham take to their famous stadium for the last time before temporarily moving to Wembley Stadium, with a brand new stadium – build adjacent to White Hart Lane – set to become their new home.
Having lost 1-0 to West Ham United last weekend, effectively ending their Premier League title hopes, manager Mauricio Pochettino will desperately want his side to bounce back with a win – especially in the final game at White Hart Lane.
Their visitors today are Manchester United, who squeezed into the final of the Europa League on Thursday night with a 2-1 aggregate win over Spanish side Celta Vigo in the semi-finals.
Jose Mourinho’s men appear to have given up their pursuit of the top four having lost 2-0 at Arsenal last weekend, and they are back in North London today to face Spurs – a team they beat 1-0 at Old Trafford in December.
General View of White Hart Lane
Ahead of the game, pundit Mark Lawrenson has told BBC Sport that he thinks Tottenham will bounce back with a 2-1 win, factoring that Mourinho will be fielding a ‘weakened’ United side after their European commitments.
Lawrenson did note that United have recent experience of playing in the final game at a stadium, having lost to West Ham United on the final night at Upton Park last season, but Tottenham’s superb home form should see them through the game.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho
“It is Tottenham’s final game at White Hart Lane but the occasion should not surprise most of the Manchester United players because they played – and lost- in West Ham’s last game at Upton Park at the end of last season too,” said Lawrenson.
“I have been saying for a while now that I don’t buy Jose Mourinho’s comments about the size or strength of his squad, and I don’t see United’s Europa League campaign as an excuse if they miss out on the top four. Mourinho said he would rest a lot of players against Arsenal last weekend but when you totalled up starting appearances by both teams, United’s players had made 226 more appearances than the Gunners’ side – that says it all about his so-called weakened team.”
“Tottenham’s defeat and performance at West Ham was a disappointing end to their title hopes but I think we have seen enough from them this season to expect a response, especially at home where they have won 16 and drawn two of their 18 league games so far,” he added.
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