Prediction: Tottenham vs Liverpool

27th November 2010

Tottenham and Liverpool are set to clash at White Hart Lane in what should be the most exciting game of the round in English Premier League. Both sides recorded victories last weekend and they will be eager to continue their climb in the league standings, so the fans should be in for a real treat at the Lane.

Tottenham have been playing some beautiful football this season but inconsistency remains their biggest problem. Spurs are doing well in most of the games but they struggle a great deal in others and this can be attributed to the busy schedule as well as the small squad Harry Redknap has at his disposal. The North London derby against Arsenal was the perfect proof of this as Spurs trailed two goals at half-time only to show completely difference face in the second period and ended up winning the game 3:2. They then clinched the place in the Champions League knockout round with a comprehensive victory over Werder, thus the players clearly enter this match full of confidence, although that doesn’t have to mean anything when this side are concerned. Harry Redknap still faces some selection problems as Rafa van der Vaart is a major doubt with an ankle injury, while Jenas, Huddlestone, Woodgate, King, Dos Santos, O’Hara and Dawson are all unavailable.

Liverpool had a disastrous start to the season under Roy Hodgson, having struggled even against the weakest Premiership sides, but the Reds managed to turn the season around and look to be on the uptrend at the moment. After winning four straight games in all competitions Liverpool slipped up against both Wigan and Stoke, but the convincing victory over bottom-placed West Ham restored some of the lost confidence and saw the Reds climb to 9th place. Roy Hodgson’s side are now just 6 points adrift of the top 4, meaning the season is not yet lost for them, and the triumph over high-flying Tottenham would hand a strong message to their rivals, although that is easier said than done. The boss should welcome back Joe Cole and Lucas to the side, but Steven Gerrard, Jay Spearing and Daniel Agger remain on the sidelines.

Conclusion

Both sides are extremely inconsistent this season, making this tie very difficult to predict, but draw seem to be the most likely outcome. Tottenham are hoping to extend the good run of results, while Liverpool want to notch up few good results in a row, but the teams could easily cancel each other out and end up sharing spoils at White Hart Lane.

Verdict: Draw (X)

Best Odds: 12/5

Bookmaker: William Hill