The Lilywhites return to Premier League action tonight as they take on Southampton after an encouraging performance in the FA Cup win over Brighton.
Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur scores their side’s third goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion(Getty)
Antonio Conte’s side were particularly impressive in the first-half against the Seagulls, and now turn their attentions to the league where a top four spot is very much within reach.
Spurs sit seventh in the table going into the round of midweek fixtures, but have games in hand over all the teams above them and so the final Champions League place is in their hands.
They could even catch Chelsea in third – they are 11 points behind the Blues but have four games in hand.
Southampton needed extra-time to get past Coventry over the weekend, but before the recent winter break produced one of their best displays of the season to hold Man City to a draw and end the long winning run the league leaders had been on.
Spurs have taken 13 points from a possible 15 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since Conte took charge and have also found the back of the net at least twice on each occasion.
Whereas, Soton had failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last 11 Premier League matches which make the North London trip an arduous task for the Soton fans although they can take benefit as they have also scored at least two goals in each of their last six on the road in the top flight.
Yan Valery of Southampton (right) and Matt Doherty of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary’s Stadium (Getty Images)
Southampton did manage to hold Tottenham to a 1-1 draw on the South Coast back in December, but Spurs have won each of their last five home games against the Saints in the Premier League, albeit without a single clean sheet.
Tottenham vs Southampton team news
Kulusevski and Bentancur both came off the bench for their Tottenham debuts against Brighton, and Conte may want to keep introducing the pair to English football slowly as they prepare to play substitute roles again.
Tottenham Hotspur have been recently boosted by the return of both Son Heung-Min and Cristian Romero, but coach Antonio Conte may have to make do with the absence of Eric Dier, Oliver Skipp and Japhet Tanganga.
The absence of Tanganga and Dier could be a major blow for Conte, given he will have to be wary of risking Romero, who has just returned from a long injury layoff.
Although we do expect Tottenham to continue with an unchanged backline from the team that faced Brighton in the FA Cup, Romero is likely to make way for someone like Joe Rodon in the second half.
Meanwhile, Southampton lost defender Lyanco to a “very serious” thigh injury in the Coventry win, while Armando Broja will also need to be assessed after taking a knock to the knee.
Will Smallbone is back in training, and Hasenhuttl may be able to welcome Moussa Djenepo back to the fold following the Africa Cup of Nations, but Nathan Tella and Alex McCarthy remain sidelined.
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Romero, Sanchez, Davies; Emerson, Winks, Hojbjerg, Reguilon; Lucas, Kane, Son
Southampton possible starting lineup:
Forster; Salisu, Bednarek, Stephens; Livramento, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Walker-Peters; Redmond, Adams, A. Armstrong
Key Stats
- Tottenham Hotspur have won their last five home Premier League matches against Southampton since a 2-1 defeat at White Hart Lane back in May 2016.
- Southampton have lost 13 of their last 19 Premier League matches against Spurs, although they did draw 1-1 earlier this season. They haven’t avoided defeat in both games against them in a season since 2003/04.
- Spurs have won seven of their ten home Premier League matches this season; this is only the second time they have achieved this feat in the last ten seasons.
- Since the start of 2021, Southampton have conceded 57 away Premier League goals, 18 more than any other team. Under Ralph Hasenhuttl, the Saints have shipped three or more goals in 19 of their 60 away games (32%), with only Dave Jones (35%) seeing his teams concede 3+ goals in a higher percentage of away games in Premier League history (minimum 50 away matches).
Date, kick-off time and venue
Tottenham vs Southampton is scheduled for a 7.45pm GMT(UK time) kick-off today, Wednesday, February 9.
The game will be played at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Where to watch Tottenham vs Southampton
TV channel: Tonight’s game will be broadcast on BT Sport 3.
Coverage begins at 7.15pm GMT.
How to live stream Tottenham vs Southampton online:
Flash streams are streaming a selection of Premier League fixtures live for the viewers.
To join; Click here
Tottenham vs Southampton prediction
Spurs are getting stronger and stronger under Conte and in strong scoring form in their own stadium whereas the Saints on the other hand are defensively poor on the road.
Southampton are with just one win in Six PL appearances and conceding 2+ goals in each of those fixtures.
It won’t be an easy match, against a Southampton side that were so impressive against City, but Conte’s men are capable of securing all three points.
Moreover, Harry Kane appears to have put his early-season woes behind him and is starting to look like the striker that has led the way for his side in recent seasons and he’s bookies favourite to score against Southampton today as he had scored 11 in 13 PL matches.
Tottenham to win 3-1 with Harry Kane to score.