Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur vs Burnley

Verdict: Total goals over 3.5

Best odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Tottenham Hotspur commence their journey in 2024 with an FA Cup third-round clash at home against Premier League rivals Burnley on Friday evening.

This match marks their first meeting since September, a fixture where Spurs secured a dominant 5-2 win against Burnley at Turf Moor in the league.

Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs swiftly rebounded from a 4-2 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion with a convincing 3-1 home victory over Bournemouth in the Premier League on New Year’s Eve. Pape Matar Sarr and Son Heung-min contributed to the scoreline before their departure for international duties, followed by a goal from Richarlison, marking his fifth in as many matches. Although Alex Scott netted a late goal for the Cherries, Spurs secured their 12th league win of the season.

Sitting fifth in the Premier League standings, Tottenham took advantage of Arsenal’s loss at Fulham and narrowed the gap to just one point behind the Gunners in fourth. Their aspirations for the league title remain feasible, trailing leaders Liverpool by only six points as they head into the latter half of the season.

Before facing Manchester United in their upcoming league fixture, Tottenham now shift their focus to the FA Cup. They aim to extend their impressive track record in the competition, seeking their 17th progression beyond the third round in the last 18 seasons.

As they gear up to host Burnley in the third round of the competition, Spurs carry confidence from their past performances against the Clarets. They have dominated recent encounters at home, winning 10 and drawing one of their last 11 meetings with Burnley across all competitions. Additionally, Spurs have emerged victorious in five of their previous seven FA Cup clashes against Burnley, including a 4-2 win at home in the third round during the 2014/15 season.

Team News

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou faces a roster challenge with key players out on international duty and several sidelined due to injuries. The absence of Son Heung-min, Pape Matar Sarr, and Yves Bissouma, engaged in the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations respectively, presents a notable void in the squad.

Postecoglou must contend with additional absentees due to injuries, including Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Ryan Sessegnon, James Maddison, Alfie Whiteman, Manor Solomon, Ivan Perisic, and Alejo Veliz. However, the return of Oliver Skipp and Rodrigo Bentancur for the Bournemouth game provided a much-needed boost. Bentancur’s early comeback from an ankle issue was particularly surprising, positioning both midfielders as potential options for the upcoming match.

Dejan Kulusevski, who served a one-match suspension in the previous fixture, is set to make his return. Meanwhile, players like Fraser Forster, Eric Dier, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and Bryan Gil aim to make a case for inclusion in the starting lineup.

Burnley

At this time last year, Burnley were soaring atop the Championship, showcasing title-winning potential. However, their narrative has dramatically shifted since, finding themselves entangled in a relegation struggle in the Premier League. With 15 losses in their initial 20 top-flight fixtures this season, their position at the foot of the table reflects a challenging campaign.

In their recent clash against Aston Villa, manager Vincent Kompany expressed discontent over what he considered “soft” decisions, particularly a contentious handball situation that deprived Burnley of a potential penalty. Sander Berge’s dismissal further complicated matters, ultimately leading to a gut-wrenching 3-2 defeat courtesy of an 89th-minute Douglas Luiz penalty. This outcome has left Burnley languishing in 19th place, trailing safety by five points.

Despite a crucial upcoming Premier League encounter against Luton Town, Burnley will seek to maintain their focus on entering the FA Cup as strongly as possible. Their recent away record in the tournament hasn’t been favorable, with just three wins in their last 15 matches.

The Clarets’ last victory at Tottenham dates back to January 1983 during a League Cup fixture, where they triumphed 4-1 under the guidance of Brian Miller. Miller’s connection with Burnley in the FA Cup also extends to his role as a player, having reached the final with the club in 1962.

Team News

Luca Koleosho and Hjalmar Ekdal continue to recover from knee injuries, alongside Jack Cork with a calf problem, and Jordan Beyer nursing a thigh issue. Moreover, Sander Berge faces suspension following his red card in the previous match.

Josh Cullen’s absence during the Aston Villa defeat remains undisclosed, and his participation in the upcoming fixture is uncertain. If unavailable, Aaron Ramsey may step into the central midfield alongside Josh Brownhill.

The potential lineup adjustments might include Connor Roberts returning at right-back, potentially displacing Vitinho. Additionally, the attacking options could see changes, with players like Jay Rodriguez, Nathan Redmond, Mike Tresor, and Jacob Bruun Larsen vying for inclusion in Kompany’s starting XI.

Conclusion

The recent trends certainly suggest an enticing clash with plenty of goal-scoring opportunities between Burnley and Premier League opposition in the FA Cup.

Spurs, despite missing key players, possess sufficient depth to potentially exploit Burnley’s defensive vulnerabilities and secure a victory through their attacking prowess.

Verdict: Total goals over 3.5

Best odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet