Football writer Adrian Clarke identifies the key players, team tactics and where matches could be won and lost in Matchweek 25.
Player analysis: Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United) v Conor Gallagher (Tottenham Hotspur)
A potentially decisive central midfield duel between England hopefuls Mainoo and Gallagher will be one of the highlights of Man Utd's 12:30 GMT kick off at home to Spurs.
World Cup incentive for England hopefuls
With World Cup places up for grabs, there is plenty of incentive for Mainoo and Gallagher to win over Thomas Tuchel’s affection between now and the end of the season.
Both men are also driven by a desire to impress their respective head coaches too.
Mainoo, 20, has been brought in from the cold by United head coach Michael Carrick, and looks hungry to make a positive difference in their push for a top four spot.
For Gallagher, after 18 months in Spain with Atletico Madrid, the 26-year-old is determined to establish himself as one of the Premier League’s top midfielders.
Joining Spurs during a testing period for the club, his leadership skills are going to be crucial over the next few months.
How Mainoo is helping Casemiro and Fernandes thrive
Starting all three wins under Carrick, United’s academy graduate has been outstanding alongside the Player of the Matchweek 24 winner, Casemiro in midfield.
His inclusion has pushed Bruno Fernandes into the No 10 role, and that switch has helped both players thrive.
Mainoo’s athleticism has been a key factor in improving results.
While Ruben Amorim did not see the youngster as anything but an attacking midfielder, Carrick has given him a chance to show he can cover plenty of ground in a deeper position and he’s taken that opportunity.
Averaging an astonishing 12.9km per 90 minutes this season, Mainoo’s running power has been on a different level to his United team-mates.
Mainoo's distance covered and pressures compared to teammates
Player Games started Minutes played Distance (km) Kobbie Mainoo 3 498 12.9 Manuel Ugarte 7 751 12.0 Joshua Zirkzee 4 483 11.4 Benjamin Sesko 11 1066 11.2 Patrick Dorgu 14 1333 11.0
Player Games started Minutes played High-intensity pressures Joshua Zirkzee 4 483 62.3 Kobbie Mainoo 3 498 59.8 Manuel Ugarte 7 751 57.6 Benjamin Sesko 11 1066 48.8 Bruno Fernandes 21 1809 45.8
There has been a real intensity to his off the ball endeavour too.
Getting around the pitch to apply pressure and force turnovers, the player who was not trusted as an orthodox central midfielder under the previous manager, has proved he can stabilise a unit that was labouring.
The Casemiro-Mainoo-Fernandes axis is purring.
Unfazed and unflustered
After playing well in their 3-2 success at home to Fulham, Carrick was full of praise for Mainoo.
“Without the ball he was terrific. And then with the ball, the ability to cope, he’s not fazed by it. He just plays his game and understands what is needed. The moments of quality, it’s what we expect of him,” he said in his post-match press conference.
This cool-headed nature has been a real asset.
It was Mainoo who looked after the ball cleverly in a tight area, before slipping an incisive pass to Matheus Cunha for the winner at Arsenal.
Watch ALL THE GOALS from Arsenal 2-3 Man Utd
Last time out against Fulham, a day when he completed 32 of 35 passes, the 20-year-old’s distribution was measured and effective.
Happy to take an extra touch when necessary, Mainoo is excellent at waiting for the right time to release well-weighted forward passes, such as these two that set up promising attacks.
There is no question Mainoo’s unflustered style of play, is helping those around him.
Gallagher’s infectious drive is lifting teammates
Dominic Solanke’s brilliant ‘scorpion kick’ strike against Manchester City last Sunday, would not have been possible without a great contribution from a re-energised Gallagher.
Watch: Solanke's brilliant scorpion kick
Showing fierce determination to latch onto a second ball, the former Chelsea man won his duel before driving forward at speed (below).
Then, from the right wing, a whipped in cross was converted in style by the in-form Solanke (below).
From three starts and 265 minutes of action, Gallagher’s engine has immediately stood out.
His 11.8km per 90 minutes of distance covered, places him second only to Lucas Bergvall at Spurs this season.
Charging around the middle third, Gallagher’s desire is lifting those around him.
In that remarkable 2-2 comeback draw with City, Gallagher won two tackles, made three interceptions and won a team-high eight ball recoveries.
His presence on the pitch at Old Trafford has potential to disrupt United’s flow.
Gallagher – Defensive chalkboard v Man City*
*Tackles won, interceptions, ball recoveries
While it remains a small sample size, Gallagher’s numbers are right up there among the division’s best.
Bringing steel, determination and ball-winning quality to Thomas Frank’s starting XI, he looks a very sound addition.
Premier League midfielders defensive stats compared*
Ball recoveries per 90 Interceptions per 90 Anderson (NFO) 8.5 Cook (BOU) 2.57 Rodri (MCI) 7.21 Caicedo (CHE) 2.42 Gallagher (TOT) 6.79 Janelt (BRE) 2.36 Ramsey (NEW) 6.63 Santos (CHE) 2.12 Andre (WOL) 6.62 Gallagher (TOT) 2.04
*Minimum three starts
An intriguing box-to-box battle awaits
These are two excellent central midfielders who have reinforced the middle third for their respective clubs.
Both can play higher up the pitch as No 10 types – and each has a decent goalscoring record - but right now their wide-ranging skill sets mean they are perfect for box-to-box roles.
In terms of their attributes, there is not a lot to differentiate between these two England contenders.
Gallagher is the better ball-winner, leading for duels won, tackles won, interceptions and ball recoveries.
Yet Mainoo (who has had 498 minutes of action compared to Gallagher’s 265) is perhaps the more impactful on the ball, creating nine chances to Gallagher's three.
His also averaging more successful passes inside the opposition half and final third.
Can Gallagher's pressing unsettle Mainoo?
Tactically, it will be fascinating to see if Frank ditches three at the back to revert to the 4-3-3 which worked so well during the second half against City.
His players were asked to go man-for-man in an aggressive manner during that much-improved 45 minutes, with Gallagher at the forefront of their press.
When he gets tight to Mainoo it will be interesting to see how the young midfielder copes with the pressure.
The 20-year-old is very cool in possession and one of the most press-resistant players around, but Gallagher’s tenacious style will test his composure on the ball.
In front of the watching Tuchel this promises to be a spellbinding head-to-head.