On December 19th, Tottenham Hotspur is set to host Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup, aiming for triumph as they vie for their fifth title against the Red Devils, who seek their ninth.
The match kicks off at 17:00 (Brasília time) and will be broadcast live on ESPN and Disney+. With both teams coming off impressive victories in the Premier League, the excitement is palpable.
Tottenham enters the game fresh from a stunning 5-0 victory over Southampton, positioning them 10th in the Premier League and lifting their spirits after previously defeating Manchester City 2-1 to advance to this stage of the EFL Cup. Spurs' road to the quarter-finals started with overcoming Coventry City with late goals from Djed Spence and Brennan Johnson after being down 1-0 until late.
Meanwhile, Manchester United is riding high after turning around a 1-0 deficit to triumph 2-1 over their city rivals, Manchester City. The Red Devils, who are currently 13th in the Premier League, also showcased their attacking prowess by crushing Barnsley 7-0 and outpacing Leicester City 5-2 to reach this quarter-final clash.
Despite the optimistic air, both teams face significant injuries affecting their squads. Tottenham will be without key players like goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, defenders Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Ben Davies, as well as midfielder Wilson Odobert and forward Richarlison. Rodrigo Bentancur remains suspended following controversial comments.
On the other hand, Manchester United will miss defender Luke Shaw and midfielder Mason Mount due to injuries. Meanwhile, the status of players like Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho is uncertain.
Projected lineups suggest Tottenham may field Forster; Porro, Gray, Dragusin, and potentially Spence if Udogie cannot recover; with Bissouma and Sarr anchoring the midfield. The attacking front could include Kulusevski, Maddison, and Johnson supporting Son.
Contrastingly, Manchester United could lineup with Onana; Yoro, Maguire, and Martinez providing defensive cover; Dalot, Mainoo, Casemiro, and Malacia bolstering the midfield, along with Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, and Zirkzee leading the attack.
This match marks another chapter in the storied rivalry between these sides, having faced each other 202 times previously, with Manchester United holding the upper hand with 95 wins compared to Tottenham's 55, plus 52 draws.
With momentum on both sides and the stakes high for progression, this quarter-final could deliver exciting football. Fans will eagerly tune in to witness whether Tottenham can capitalize on their home advantage or if Manchester United will continue their quest for EFL Cup glory.
For those wondering where to catch the action, the game will be available live through ESPN (in Brazil) and on Disney+ for viewers seeking streaming options.
