v
LEICESTER CITY
White Hart Lane, London
21st February, 15:00 GMT
***
Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City go head-to-head in the Premier League on Saturday at the White Hart Lane.
Tottenham Hotspura s 3-0 defeat to Manchester United at the Old Trafford last Sunday means that Spurs have little hope of making into the top four before the end of the season. If Tottenham fail to produce a positive result against Leicester, they may as well prepare to battle for a Euro League spot. However, playing at home against a club who are at the bottom of the table and not on a very good run of form, Tottenham have a golden opportunity to get their season back on track.
Leicester Citya s aspirations to avoid relegation are slowly looking like a distant wish which is next to impossible to fulfil. Leicester are at the bottom of the table with 10 games to go and their current run of form indicates that the club is bound to get relegated. The away sidea s last win came against Tottenham in the FA Cup on 24th January at the White Hart Lane. However, since then they are without a win in seven games. However, Nigel Pearsona s will be hoping to repeat the heroic display that they produced the last time they visited the Tottenham backyard.
Team News and Tactics
Tottenham Hotspur
Mauricio Pochettinoa s side will go into this game with an aim to win all the three points on offer. They showed a poor defensive display against Manchester United last weekend but they will be adamant to not do a repeat of last Sundaya s disaster. Tottenham will have a good opportunity to get their rhythm and confidence back and will be looking to pile on a few goals against the lowly Leicester.
21-year old Harry Kane has the opportunity to increase his goal tally and get closer to the golden boot as he is only two league goals away from top-scorer Diego Costa. Soldado remains Spursa only doubt as he missed the visit to Old Trafford last Sunday with a knee injury. Erikson, Lamela and Chadli are sure to start the game, playing behind Kane. The back-four will consist of Walker, Dier, Vertonghen and Rose.
Probable Line-Up (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Rose; Mason, Bentaleb; Lamela, Erikson, Chadli; Kane;
Leicester City
Leicester City will play with a lot of heart as the team will be pumped having had two good games against Tottenham this season. Though the first game at home in the league ended in a defeat for Leicester, they looked the stronger side for most of the match. The second time Leicester faced Tottenham this season, they won the game 2-1 at the White Hart Lane. On Saturday, Leicester will be hoping to end their recent run of winless games and will be hoping to produce a gritty performance.
Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is available for selection after returning from a foot injury to play 90 minutes for the development squad on Monday. However, Schwarzer is expected to start the game ahead of Schmeichel. Midfielder Dean Hammond continues his recovery from a calf injury and the only long-term absentee is Zoumana Bakayogo (knee). Mahrez and Ulloa will be the key players for the Foxes as both traumatised the Tottenham backline the last time the two teams faced each other.
Probable Line-Up (5-3-2): Schwarzer; Moore, Huth, Upson, Morgan, Schlupp; Mahrez, Ulloa, Simpson; Karmaric, Vardy;
Prediction
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Leicester City
Leicester City are not the favourites to defeat Tottenham in their own backyard. But it will be a close contest between the two sides. However, it will be safe to say that Tottenham will pocket the three points playing at home.