Manchester United vs. Tottenham: Bookies ‘unable to split’ the sides as José Mourinho returns to Old Trafford

It’s certainly been a lively start for José Mourinho since replacing Mauricio Pochettino as Tottenham manager almost two weeks ago.

In his first Premier League games in charge, he’s coached his side to two topsy-turvy 3-2 wins over West Ham and Bournemouth, having witnessed his side take a 3-0 lead in both matches.

Mourinho also substituted holding midfielder Eric Dier after only 28 minutes to help overturn a 0-2 deficit at home to Olympiakos, with his gutsy decision vindicated as Tottenham eventually ran out 4-2 winners to dramatically book their place in the Champions League knockout stage.

And on Wednesday night he faces his biggest test yet since joining Spurs: a first return to Old Trafford, in an official capacity at least, since being sacked by Manchester United almost twelve months ago.

The match kicks off at 19:30 (GMT) live on Amazon Prime, with fifth-placed Tottenham looking to extend their two point gap ahead of ninth-placed United in the table.

The bookmakers are finding it impossible to split the two sides, however, with both priced at 13/8 to grab what would be a massive three points.

The draw, meanwhile, is the least favoured outcome at 5/2.

The aforementioned 3-2 win away to West Ham in Mourinho’s first game in charge was amazingly Tottenham’s first league win on the road since January.

Dele Alli in particular appears to have found a new lease of life again in a more advanced role under Mourinho, bagging two goals against Bournemouth at the weekend.

Alli, who scored 18 league goals in the 2016/17 campaign in a similarly progressive role, is priced as high as 10/3 to score anytime.

United, meanwhile, have only been defeated once at home in the league this campaign: a surprise 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace.

However, they stumbled to a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa at home at the weekend and are yet to find the sort of momentum Tottenham are currently enjoying under the ‘Special One’, having been overtaken by them in the table at the weekend.

The Red Devils will also still be without their injured midfield maestro Paul Pogba, with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirming he is “not ready” for Wednesday night’s game and “still a bit away” from returning in the near future.

One market which certainly catches the eye for the game is ‘Both Teams To Score’.

8/13 seems a more than reasonable price given both sides’ attacking capabilities combined with defensive leakiness of late.

It’s landed in 5/7 of United’s home games this season, and 6/7 of Tottenham’s away games.

Moreover, across the two sides’ last twelve league games combined, it would only have failed to land in United’s 1-0 loss at Bournemouth.

If it lands tomorrow then we’re even surer to be in for a great game!