Verdict: Tottenham win
Best Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Bet365
With only one Premier League victory in the past two months, Southampton find themselves at the heart of a relegation battle, and after Saturday’s results find themselves in the bottom three for the first time this season. The Saints will welcome a free-scoring Tottenham side to St. Mary’s on Sunday afternoon.
Southampton
For Southampton, the Saints torrid run continued last weekend. With Abdoulaye Doucoure’s last minute handball going unnoticed, Mauricio Pellegrino’s side were unable to capitalize on their 2-0 lead at Watford. Leaving Vicardigde Road with just a point, Southampton’s winless run continues. Without a Premier League win in their last 10 outings, the Saints find themselves firmly involved in a relegation battle. Currently sat 18th in the table following Saturday’s results, anything bar a win on Sunday will see Southampton’s stay in the relegation zone extended. Although Southampton are still yet to improve on their recent points tally, the Saints will be glad to see that they have recently improved on their form in the final third. After struggling for goals in the first half of the season, the Saints have now managed to score in five of their last six games.
Team News
Maya Yoshida is facing an uphill struggle to be fit in time. The Japan defender will undergo a late fitness test as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
Charlie Austin remains sidelined with a long-term hamstring problem, but otherwise boss Pellegrino has no other concerns.
Tottenham
As for Tottenham, Mauricio Pochettino’s free-scoring Spurs will travel to St. Mary’s filled with confidence. Coming off the back of a 4-0 win against Everton at Wembley last weekend, Tottenham are now unbeaten in their last five consecutive Premier League appearances since suffering their home defeat against Manchester City in December. Although Spurs have picked up an impressive 13 out of an available 15 points, Pochettino’s side still find themselves outside of the top four. Currently sat fifth, Tottenham remain three points behind Liverpool who currently occupy that lucrative fourth spot. However, Spurs’ Argentinian boss will know that if he is able to take three points away from his former club on Sunday, Tottenham will climb into the top four, even if it is just for 24 hours. With Tottenham’s talisman Harry Kane scoring a brace against Everton last weekend, the England international will fancy his chances of improving on his own personal record. Already on 20 Premier League goals for the season, Kane has scored eight in his last five top-flight appearances.
Team News
Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is doubtful because of illness and will be assessed before kick-off.
Defender Toby Alderweireld is nearing a return to training and could be available next weekend, while Harry Winks and Danny Rose remain out.
Key Factors to Consider
- Southampton have beaten Tottenham just once in their last 11 Premier League meetings (D1, L9). That was a 2-1 win at White Hart Lane in May 2016.
- Southampton have gone 10 Premier League games without a win (D5, L5), their longest streak without a victory since January 2005.
- The Saints are also six points worse off than they were at this stage last season.
- Tottenham are unbeaten in five top-flight fixtures (W4, D1).
- Harry Kane is two goals shy of 100 in the Premier League. He could equal Matthew Le Tissier’s Southampton record of 100 Premier League goals.
Conclusion
After dropping into the bottom three for the first time this season, and without a Premier League victory in their last 10 outings, Sunday afternoon could prove to be another hard days work for Mauricio Pellegrino’s struggling Saints. With Premier League top scorer Harry Kane scoring eight goals in his last five appearances, Spurs have been in scintillating form in the final third. Scoring 18 times in their last six match up’s, Tottenham will know the importance of putting on another clinical performance on Sunday afternoon. Backing Spurs to carry on their unbeaten run seems like a logical bet at St. Mary’s.
Verdict: Tottenham win
Best Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Bet365
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