Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur vs Bournemouth

Verdict: Total goals over 3.5

Best odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Tottenham Hotspur faced a comprehensive defeat in their previous game against Brighton, halting their three-game winning streak.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth continued their impressive form by securing their sixth victory in seven games on Boxing Day, furthering their impressive climb up the Premier League standings.

The two teams will face each other on Sunday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, marking the start of the second half of the league campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham faced a challenging outing in their recent match against Brighton, conceding two goals within the first half-hour of the game. Despite pulling two goals back late in the game through Alejo Veliz and Ben Davies, they couldn’t complete the comeback and suffered a disappointing defeat.

This loss saw them fail to rise in the Premier League table, trailing behind Manchester City  and Arsenal by four points and facing pressure from West Ham United, who are close on their heels. As they prepare for their final match of the year, they aim to break their streak of failing to win their last league game in the past five calendar years.

Spurs have historically performed well against Bournemouth, scoring an average of 2.5 goals per game in their previous Premier League encounters. However, they’ll be facing a different Bournemouth team this time around, and securing a victory against the Cherries won’t be an easy task.

Team News

Spurs continue to grapple with an extended list of injured players, depriving manager Ange Postecoglou of several key squad members for their upcoming fixture.

Injury woes persist for Manor Solomon (knee), Ivan Perisic (knee), Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring), Rodrigo Bentancur (ankle), James Maddison (ankle), Micky van de Ven (thigh), and Cristian Romero (hamstring), all of whom remain sidelined. Furthermore, Yves Bissouma continues to serve a suspension, compounding the team’s absence woes. This leaves limited alternatives for Postecoglou to revitalize the squad following their recent defeat at Brighton.

Giovani Lo Celso and Bryan Gil emerge as potential candidates for inclusion from the bench, with Oliver Skipp also under consideration if he receives medical clearance.

Richarlison, set to partner captain Son Heung-min in the forward line, has been in splendid form, contributing to seven goals in his last six Premier League home games with four goals and three assists. This impressive streak comes on the heels of a 14-game dry spell at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Bournemouth

Bournemouth, akin to their upcoming hosts, have grappled with difficulties in year-ending fixtures, experiencing four defeats in their last five such encounters. However, recent performances indicate a likelihood of altering that trend as they head to London with growing confidence.

In the previous season, the South Coast club secured a 3-2 victory at Tottenham, marking a significant turnaround after enduring five consecutive Premier League away losses at the venue. The remarkable form displayed by Bournemouth in the past couple of months suggests that a win on Sunday might not be considered an ‘upset’.

Since clinching their first league victory in late October, Andoni Iraola’s team has been a force to reckon with, leading in top-flight wins (seven) and points accumulated (22) during this period. This impressive turnaround has seen them rise from a relegation-threatened position to the middle of the table.

Consecutive triumphs against Crystal Palace, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, and Fulham, with Justin Kluivert, Luis Sinisterra, and top scorer Dominic Solanke securing the latter’s Boxing Day win, have propelled the Cherries into mid-table safety. Their exceptional run includes six wins out of their last seven Premier League fixtures, with the remaining match being a draw against high-flying Aston Villa. This remarkable stretch of form could see Iraola’s side achieve an unprecedented club record of five consecutive top-flight victories.

Team News

Bournemouth is hoping for the return of midfielder Lewis Cook from a groin injury to contribute in this weekend’s match. However, Tyler Adams (thigh), Lloyd Kelly (thigh), and Ryan Fredericks (calf) continue to remain sidelined. Additionally, Hamed Traore, who recently battled malaria, is still in recovery.

During the previous win over Fulham, full-backs Milos Kerkez and Max Aarons were absent, although Aarons was included among the substitutes despite his fitness concerns. Both players could potentially return to the lineup. If Kerkez comes back, Dango Ouattara might step out of the starting XI, having deputized at left-back against the Cottagers.

Leading the forward line, Dominic Solanke has been in stellar form, tallying eight goals in his last seven league appearances, taking his total to 12 for the season. Only Josh King (16 in 2016/17) and Callum Wilson (14 in 2018/19) have ever scored more for Bournemouth in a single Premier League campaign, and Solanke potentially has 19 games left to play in this one.

Conclusion

Both teams exhibit a progressive style of play, and Bournemouth won’t be daunted by the setting, having recently silenced Old Trafford and surprised Selhurst Park. This sets the stage for a potentially evenly-matched contest. Considering Spurs’ scoring streak in their last 18 home matches, a match with several goals is highly anticipated.

Verdict: Total goals over 3.5

Best odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet