Hard task for holders Spurs to halt United's stride

This weekend's programme in English football features the League Cup final at Wembley where current Premier League leaders Manchester United take on holders Tottenham. The Spurs have reached back-to-back finals in the tournament for the first time in their history.

After their league win at Hull, Tottenham are breathing more easily even if they are still hovering just above the drop zone. In the build-up to tomorrow's final, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, who led Portsmouth to FA Cup success last May, remarked that Premier League survival remained his no.1 priority.

Manchester United, the current English and European champions, are on an ambitious mission to collect four pieces of silverware, one of which, the FIFA Club World Cup, is already locked away in their trophy cabinet.

The League Cup is next in line. United are also firmly on course to retain the league title after opening a seven-point lead at the top of the standings last weekend.

On Tuesday, in the Champions League Last 16 first leg in Milan, the Red Devils dominated most of the match against Inter but in the end had to settle for a 0-0 draw.

United are also through to the last eight of the FA Cup after crushing Derby in the last round, the side they ousted in the two-legged League Cup semi-final.

Attacking options

Robbie Keane, who returned to White Hart Lane after a short, unhappy spell at Liverpool, is cup tied and Jermain Defoe will probably skip the final due to injury. Yet, in Roman Pavlyuchenko, Tottenham have an added option up front. The Russian has scored in each round of the competition so far.

The Tottenham manager will probably start with Huerelho Gomez in goal despite his erratic form as Carlo Cudicini is cup-tied.

Alex Ferguson is spoilt for choice up front with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov vying for a first-team place. The United boss also has the luxury of relying on schemers-cum-scorers Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes who know pretty well where the back of the net lies.

Gary Neville will captain the side after missing out on the last two outings. Neville, who signed a one-year contract extension at Old Trafford, has been promised by Sir Alex that he will lead the team at Wembley.

Tottenham fans are going through an awful season. After the club sacked manager Juande Ramos and sold two fine players - Keane has returned but Berbatov will be gunning against his ex-mates tomorrow - the Spurs were knocked out of the UEFA Cup on Thursday after a 3-1 aggregate defeat to Ukrainians Shakhtar Donetsk.

Head to head

In the Premier League this season, United and Tottenham shared the spoils in a 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane. The second round match is scheduled for April 25.

In the FA Cup, United beat Spurs 2-1 (Scholes, Berbatov - Pavlyuchenko) at Old Trafford in the fourth round.

In past League Cup commitments, Tottenham hold the upper hand 5-1 as follows:

1998-99 (quarter-final)
Spurs-United 3-1

1989-90 (third round)
United-Spurs 0-3

1981-82 (second round, 2 legs)
United-Spurs 0-1
Spurs-United 1-0

1979-80 (second round, 2 legs)
United-Spurs 3-1
Spurs-United 2-1

Cup Winners

While Tottenham have lifted the League Cup on four occasions, Man. United won the honour twice:
1971: Tottenham-A. Villa 2-0
1973: Tottenham-Norwich 1-0
1992: Man. Utd-N. Forest 1-0
1999: Tottenham-Leicester 1-0
2006: Man. Utd-Wigan 4-0
2008: Tottenham-Chelsea 2-1

Way to Wembley

Manchester United
Third round: Home vs Middlesbrough 3-1 (Ronaldo, Giggs, Nani).
Fourth round: Home v QPR 1-0 (Tevez pen).
Quarter-final: Home vs Blackburn 5-3 (Tevez 4, 1 pen, Nani).
Semi-final: Away vs Derby 0-1. Home vs Derby 4-2 (Nani, O'Shea, Tevez, Ronaldo pen).

Tottenham
Third round: Away vs Newcastle 2-1 (Pavlyuchenko, O'Hara).
Fourth round: Home vs Liverpool 4-2 (Pavlyuchenko 2, Campbell 2).
Quarter-final: Away vs Watford 2-1 (Pavlyuchenko, Bent).
Semi-final: Home vs Burnley 4-1 (Dawson, O'Hara, Pavlyuchenko, Duff og). Away vs Burnley 2-3 (Pavlyuchenko, Defoe).

Top marksmen

Three players lead the top marksmen list in the League Cup competition (all on six goals) - Pavlyuchenko, Tevez and Derby's Nathan Ellington.

Martin Paterson, of Burnley, scored five times and the players with four goals to their name are Carlos Alberto Vela (Arsenal), Emanuel Villa (Derby County), Jermaine Beckford (Leeds United) and James Henry (Reading).