View Single Post
Old 21-04-2018, 06:38 AM   #8
Andi Istiabudi
manager
 
Andi Istiabudi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Jakarta
Posts: 33,888
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2,334 Times in 1,748 Posts
Mentioned: 146 Post(s)
Andi Istiabudi is a splendid one to beholdAndi Istiabudi is a splendid one to beholdAndi Istiabudi is a splendid one to beholdAndi Istiabudi is a splendid one to beholdAndi Istiabudi is a splendid one to beholdAndi Istiabudi is a splendid one to beholdAndi Istiabudi is a splendid one to beholdAndi Istiabudi is a splendid one to behold


Default Re: [FAC] Semifinal : Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur



FA CUP SEMI-FINAL PREVIEW: UNITED V SPURS

Setting the scene: United will be looking to book a place in the Emirates FA Cup final on 19 May when taking on Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday's crucial semi-final at Wembley. In what is arguably the biggest game of the season so far, the Reds take on Mauricio Pochettino's side aiming to reach the final of English football's biggest domestic cup competition for the 22nd time. The first semi-final tie of the weekend will see second take on fourth in the Premier League, with United currently six points ahead of Spurs in the table. Jose Mourinho's men will be hoping to continue the positive reaction shown to the West Bromwich Albion defeat from Wednesday night's 2-0 win at Bournemouth, but it promises to be another stiff test against a Spurs side seeking their first major trophy since 2008.

How can I follow it? Saturday’s big match will kick off at 17:15 BST and will be broadcast live on BBC One in the UK. MUTV subscribers on Sky or Virgin Media, the MUTV app, or online at MUTV.com can enjoy match build-up from 15:00 BST on the Match Day show and listen to radio commentary of the game, before watching it in full from 12:00 BST on Sunday afternoon. You can also keep up with all the action as it happens via ManUtd.com’s live blog and our official Twitter account @ManUtd.

What’s the team news? The boss said after Wednesday’s victory that every player that played against Bournemouth has given themselves a chance to be selected against Tottenham. There were no new injury concerns to arise from the win on the south coast, with only Sergio Romero expected to miss out due to an injury sustained on international duty with Argentina last month. Nemanja Matic, Romelu Lukaku and Antonio Valencia are expected to be restored to the line-up. Meanwhile, Spurs are set to be without left-back Danny Rose (calf) and midfielder Harry Winks (ankle). Second-choice stopper Michel Vorm has played in goal throughout their cup run, as he did last season, but no.1 Hugo Lloris was brought back for their semi-final defeat to Chelsea a year ago and Pochettino may opt to do the same this weekend.

How have Tottenham been doing? Spurs drew 1-1 with Brighton & Hove Albion on Tuesday night, leaving the club fourth in the Premier League table on 68 points with four games left to play. The north London club need seven points from their remaining four fixtures to guarantee a place in the UEFA Champions League next season. Pochettino’s men have failed to win their last two games, having also lost 3-1 at home to champions Manchester City. But, despite calls for the match to be held at a neutral venue, the game will be played at Wembley - where Spurs have played their home games this season while their new ground is being built. After a shaky start at their temporary home, the Lilywhites have acclimatised to their new surroundings. They have won 10, drawn four and lost just two of their 16 home league games this term.

How have both sides reached this stage? United have advanced to the last four of the competition for the second time in three years, impressively without conceding a goal. The Reds beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 in last month's quarter-final, having also seen off Huddersfield Town 2-0, Yeovil Town 4-0 and Derby County 2-0. Meanwhile, Tottenham booked their semi-final spot with a 3-0 win over Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium in their quarter-final, and have also seen off lower-league opposition in AFC Wimbledon, Newport County and Rochdale.

What happened in this season's other meetings? Both sides have a victory apiece from the two league encounters this term. United came out on top at Old Trafford in October as Anthony Martial scored a late winner in a 1-0 success, before Spurs won 2-0 the last time the teams met at Wembley at the end of January courtesy of an early Christian Eriksen strike and an unfortunate own goal by Phil Jones.

One to watch… The records have been tumbling all season for irrepressible frontman Harry Kane, who has 37 goals and five assists in 43 appearances for Spurs in all competitions this season. The 24-year-old England striker missed the Old Trafford meeting in October through injury but was the chief tormentor for Spurs in their win over United three months ago. He has only scored once in eight previous appearances against the Reds but will be keen to improve that record this weekend and the United defenders will have to be on top of their game to keep him quiet.

What’s our record against Tottenham like? United have the edge over Spurs historically, winning 89 of our 188 meetings – the first coming in 1899. There have been 48 draws while Tottenham have won 51 times. The sides last met in the FA Cup in January 2009, with United running out 2-1 winners on the day at Old Trafford.

What's our record at Wembley? United have played at the national stadium on 50 previous occasions, including 18 FA Cup finals, seven League Cup finals and two European Cup finals. The Reds have won 27 of those games, drawing five and losing 18. The joint biggest wins were 4-0 against Brighton & Hove Albion in the 1983 FA Cup final replay and against Newcastle in the 1996 Charity Shield. United have faced Chelsea at Wembley more than any other club, with seven appearances against the West Londoners.

Did you know? This will be United’s 29th appearance in an FA Cup semi-final - the joint most with Arsenal. The Reds have progressed to the final 19 times from the previous 28 last-four ties.

Who’s the referee? Anthony Taylor will be in the middle for his fourth United game of the current campaign, last taking charge of the Reds in the 3-0 win over Stoke in January. Taylor was also in charge of the 2-1 win against West Brom in December and 1-0 defeat to Chelsea back in November. The Cheshire whistler will be assisted by Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn, while Kevin Friend will be the fourth official. This game will also have the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in operation, with Andre Marriner taking on the role and Andy Halliday assisting him.

www.manutd.com
Andi Istiabudi is offline