Tottenham will host Southampton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, hoping to bounce back from the disappointing defeat against Chelsea.
It has been a disappointing season for Tottenham, and they are 14th in the Premier League table ahead of the game vs Southampton this weekend. The Lilywhites are without a win in their last four league matches, and they will be desperate to bounce back.
The players and the manager have faced huge criticism in recent weeks, and they are under tremendous pressure. A victory here could give them some much-needed respite. Tottenham will be up against the worst team in the division, and they simply cannot afford to lose here.
Meanwhile, Southampton are at the bottom of the Premier League table, and they are without a win in the last six top-flight matches. The Saints have picked up just two victories this season, and it seems highly unlikely that they will be able to grind out a result here.
They were beaten by Tottenham 5-0 in the Premier League earlier on in the season, and the home team will aim for a similar result here. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Tottenham Hotspur
Radu Dragusin has a knee injury, Dejan Kulusevski has an ankle injury, and Kevin Danso has a knock as well. Micky van de Ven picked up an injury against Chelsea, and he is likely to miss out. Tottenham will shape up in a 4-3-3 formation vs Soutnampton, with Guglielmo Vicario in goal.
Pedro Porro and Djed Spence will start as the full-backs, and they will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Cristian Romero will start alongside Ben Davies at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Pape Matar Sarr will start alongside Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma in the middle of the park. They will look to add defensive cover and drive to the side. Brennan Johnson and Mathys Tel will start on the flanks, and they will look to add pace and flair to the side. Son Heung-min will lead the line for Tottenham vs Southampton on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Davies, Spence; Bentancur, Bissouma, Sarr; Johnson, Son, Tel
Southampton
Will Smallbone, Ross Stewart, and Juan Larios all miss out due to knocks. Flynn Downes is suspended. Southampton will shape up in a 3-4-2-1 formation vs Tottenham Hotspur, with Aaron Ramsdale in goal.
In the back three, Taylor Harwood-Bellis will start alongside Jan Bednarek and Nathan Wood. Yukinari Sugawara and Kyle Walker-Peters will start as the wing-backs. They will look to keep things tight at the back and hit Spurs on the break.
As for the midfield unit, Joe Aribo will start alongside Lesley Ugochukwu in the middle of the park. They will look to add physicality and defensive cover to the side. Cameron Archer will start alongside Tyler Dibling in the final third, and they will look to create goalscoring chances for Paul Onuachu, who will spearhead the Southampton attack against Tottenham on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Bednarek; Sugawara, Aribo, Ugochukwu, Walker-Peters; Dibling, Archer; Onuachu
Key Stats
- Tottenham have scored at least two goals in their last eight home vs against Southampton in all competitions.
- Tottenham have won seven of their last eight home matches vs Southampton in all competitions.
- 26 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two teams.
- Tottenham are without a win in five of their last six matches in all competitions.
- Southampton are without a win in their last six matches in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Son Heung-min
The South Korean International is our key player to watch out for. Son will be up against a vulnerable Southampton defence, and he will look to add to his goal tally for the season. He will also look to create opportunities for his teammates and punish the away defence.
Southampton have conceded 71 goals in 30 League matches this season, and they will struggle to contain the Tottenham attack. Son is likely to be the centre-piece of the Tottenham attacking unit, and he will have a big say in the result.
Prediction
Tottenham 3-1 Southampton
Tottenham will be the favourites to pick up all three points, and they should be able to beat Southampton easily. The visitors are completely lacking in confidence and form. They will struggle to contain the home side here, and Spurs are likely to pick up a comfortable victory. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for Ange Postecoglou and his charges.
