Prediction: Tottenham vs Liverpool

Verdict: Liverpool

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Bet365

Week three of the Premier League action in the 2016-17 season kicks off with a clash at White Hart Lane with Tottenham Hotspur playing host to Liverpool in what has been described as the pick of the week in the English top tier.

Tottenham

Following a season that ended in highest ever Premier League finish, Spurs headed into the new campaign with a sense of disappointment as the club did little to bolster Mauricio Pochettino’s side which is likely to carry on with more or less the same group of players. Tottenham added the likes of Victor Wanyama and Vincent Janssen and are attempting to sign the 21-year-old Marseille winger Georges-Kevin N’Koudou, who is expected to arrive as the last summer signing for the White Hart Lane club. The lack of transfer activity could cause anguish ahead of the club’s return to the Champions League, but Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino seems to be happy to continue with the current squad. Spurs have picked up four points in their first two Premier League rounds and are heading into the Liverpool game hoping for points that would be a major morale boost for the squad. Following a 1-1 draw at Everton, Tottenham managed to go past Crystal Palace thanks to a goal from the summer recruit Victor Wanyama, who scored in the closing stages of the game much to relieve of home supporters, whose feelings are pretty much undefined at the beginning of the season.

Team News

Son Heung-Min is expected to be available after his return from the Olympics, but Chadli and Njie are likely to be absent once again for the hosts.

Mousa Dembele is suspended for the occasion, while first-choice goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is out through muscle injury.

Liverpool

Unlike their Saturday rivals Tottenham, Merseyside club have been rather proactive during the summer transfer window and the last couple of months in general as they have added plenty of fresh hoping to bolster their ranks and keep up with Premier League clubs who have invested a great deal in new players during summer such as Manchester City and United. Reds appear to be well-stocked with attacking options and there is no doubt that Jurgen Klopp will urge his players to go out and repeat the heroics from the opening day at the Emirates. Liverpool opener the season with a memorable display at Arsenal and a 4-3 win which was unfortunately followed by an apathetic 2-0 defeat to Burnley. Klopp’s charges have managed to get back to their feet with a morale-boosting EFL Cup victory over Burton 5-0, but their visit to White Hart Lane is the fourth consecutive game on the road and Reds need to be cautious. Jurgen Klopp has had a full pre-season to get his team ready and imprint his trademark philosophy into the team, but the effects of his unorthodox methods are yet to achieve full potential. Reds have displayed glimpses of brilliance, but have also went deep and low with their still erratic performances. Consistency will be the key for Reds this season and another major scalp after that Arsenal win would provide a huge boost to team’s self-respect.

Team News

Jurgen Klopp is faced with plenty of selection worries ahead of the trip to London with Ovie Ejaria, Joe Gomez, Loris Karius, Lucas Leiva, Sheyi OJo and Mamadou Sakho all unavailable due to their respective injuries.

Emre Can picked up a knock in the League Cup clash against Burton, but the Euro 2016 semi-finalist’s injury doesn’t appear to be serious.

Key Factors to Consider

• Last two encounters between Spurs and Reds both ended in a draw
• There have been more than 3.5 goals scored in 4 of Liverpool’s last 5 matches
• Tottenham failed to score at least a goal only in 1 of their last 15 games in all competitions
• Spurs’ third-place last season was their best ever Premier League finish
• Liverpool have either lost or won their last nine matches across all competitions

Conclusion

Both Tottenham and Liverpool are yet to hit top form as their early Premier League results would suggest. Jurgen Klopp’s men have become quite the big-game specialists and there is no doubt that, after Arsenal, they will be keen to beat their bitter city rivals as well. Spurs seem to be under big pressure following a silent summer and Pochettino’s men will be urged to make a result against Reds which can be counterproductive in a way.

Verdict: Liverpool

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Bet365