March Preview: Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool

 

March Preview: Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool

At the Tottenham Stadium

Thursday 28^th at 8pm.

Tomorrow night (Thursday) we face Liverpool in a game we need to win. The top of the Premier league table is tight; therefore, we can't afford to fall even further behind. Even a draw will be a severe slip-up, besides, if we are serious contenders for the title we've got to beat the likes of Liverpool. We've already beaten United and City, who are above us. We are eight points beneath league leaders City, who have played an extra game than us. The same with United and Leicester Titty. The Spammers who are two points above have played two additional games.

As I see it at the moment, 5 clubs can win the league; City, United, Leicester, Liverpool and ourselves. Liverpool are on a lousy run at the moment, but saying that, they've only lost 3 games this season, the same as ourselves. Liverpool have drawn one extra game, that is why they are only a point above us.

Goal difference wise, only City outshine us (by seven goals). Looking behind us, Everton, Chelsea, Villa, Southampton and Arsenal are on our coattails. So that is what I mean when I say that it is essential that we beat Liverpool. Defeat against them will end any dreams we have of capturing the title for the first time since 1961.

I am always optimistic and believe we've got a chance. We are still in all competitions (one of them is a final) and, as I said, we've only lost three games in the Premier League. For this time of year, that is a good record.

TEAM NEWS

Spurs

Ben Davies is a doubt with a calf injury sustained during the FA Cup win over Wycombe, while Matt Doherty could also miss out.

Jose Mourinho has hinted at there are additional injuries to unnamed players. It has also been confirmed that Dele Alli is unavailable because of a tendon problem.

Concerning Alli: Mourinho expects midfielder Dele Alli to remain at the club after the January transfer window.

The Reds

Jordan Henderson could return after missing his side's past two games with a muscle strain. He is back in full training, along with Joel Matip, who will also be assessed. Matip missed Sunday's FA Cup defeat by Manchester United, but that was thought to be merely precautionary.

My thoughts and Prediction

This season we have had a mixed bag of results, but have looked outstanding on occasions,  like our 2-0 win at home to Manchester City. Nevertheless, we have had too many draws (six). That is because we've given away too many leads, such as being 3-0 up against the Spammers, only to end up drawing with them 3-3. Too many times we've taken our eye off the ball in winning positions. That has got to stop.

Mourinho, himself denies any suggestion that he tells his side to play that way. He has often said that he tells them to go out and kill the game dead.

A draw would be a disaster for either side but, for us in particular, therefore it is imperative we win.

Our possible starting lineup:

Lloris; Aurier, Dier, Rodon, Reguilon; Sissoko, Hojbjerg; Bergwijn, Ndombele, Son; Kane

My Prediction: there will only be only one goal in it, something like 1-0 or 2-1 to us, however, I shall step outside my comfort zone and make a bold prediction and go for 3-1.

Jose Mourinho has won just two of his 12 matches as a manager against Jurgen Klopp

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Liverpool are on a run of six successive victories against us in all competitions and have lost only once in the past 18 meetings.

They could win six consecutive top-flight matches against us for the first time, but I am sure we won't let that happen.

This is the first time Liverpool, and Spurs have met on a Thursday in the top flight. Liverpool have beaten us on every other day of the week.

Tottenham Hotspur

We are unbeaten in our past eight fixtures, half of which have come in cup competitions (W6, D2).

We have 33 points after 18 league matches, four more than at the halfway stage of last season.

We have led for a league-high 850 minutes this season, and have not lost any of the 12 league games they scored first (W7, D5).

Son and Harry Kane have both scored 12 league goals for us this season. None of our other players has scored more than three.

Nine of Son's 12 Premier League goals have been set up by Kane - a 10th assist would set a new competition record.

Jose Mourinho is unbeaten in all six of his Premier League home matches as a manager against the reigning champions (W4, D2), winning the last three.

Liverpool

In their past seven games, Liverpool's solitary victory came in the FA Cup against a youthful Villa team comprised entirely of debutants.

The Reds are yet to score a league goal in 2021, having failed to find the net in their last four top-flight matches.

Liverpool have won just one of their eight most recent Premier League away games (D5, L2).

They are in danger of losing consecutive Premier League fixtures for the first time since 2015 under Brendan Rodgers.

Mohamed Salah is the Premier League's 13-goal leading scorer this season, but he has gone five top-flight appearances without adding to his tally.

Roberto Firmino has scored in four of his past five Premier League matches against us, scoring the winner in three of those games.

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form: LLDWDW

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions): WWWDWW

Liverpool Premier League form: WDDLDL

Liverpool form (all competitions): DLWDLL

So, there you have it. Stay optimistic until you have no other choice other than sticking your head in the bucket to cry. Stay safe, be careful and hopefully, it will be alright on the night.

Best regards, Glenn