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Another big test for Redknapp

LONDON: Harry Redknapp’s revival at Tottenham faces another big test with a game against Manchester United on Saturday although the defending champion is definitely without the suspended Wayne Rooney and probably won’t have former Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov either (injured).

Tottenham chases its sixth league victory and 10th overall since Redknapp arrived in late October when Spurs was last in the Premier League without a win. Since then Spurs have climbed to 15th with five victories against two losses and a draw and won two League Cup and two UEFA Cup matches in a dramatic turnaround.

Despite Rooney’s suspension and likely absence of Berbatov, Redknapp fears the United attack, which still has Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.

Great form

“Carlos Tevez is like a bulldog. He will be a big test for our boys but we are confident,” Redknapp said. “We are in great form and I couldn’t have imagined it would have gone this well.

“Manchester United really are a fantastic team. We are confident but anything you can get against United is always going to be a bonus.”

United is back in third place, six points off the lead but with a game in hand. But Alex Ferguson’s players have a busy schedule of games to come, with a long journey to Tokyo next week for the Club World Cup, and need a victory at Spurs to stay just behind the leaders.

“They’ve done exceptionally well since Harry’s gone there,” Ferguson said of Redknapp’s impact on Spurs. “His management style is just common sense, making the training ground a happy place. Bringing the confidence back to the players on the training ground transmits itself to performances on Saturday.”

Leader Liverpool has a one-point advantage over Chelsea and hopes to stay there with a victory at home to Hull.

Chelsea’s home game against West Ham on Sunday will see Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola returning to Stamford Bridge where he was a big favourite with the Blues fans.

Fourth place Arsenal hopes to bounce back from Wednesday’s 2-0 Champions League defeat at FC Porto with a victory at Middlesbrough. — AP

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