Match Preview: Spurs v Bournemouth (fingers crossed)

Match Preview: Spurs v Bournemouth (fingers crossed)

The last time we were beaten at home was against Arsenic, who beat us 0-2. That was back in January. It is our away record that is causing us problems. And the last time we won away was also in January at Craven Cottage.  

At the moment, we don't have to worry about away games, just our home game against the Cherries. So… the Cherries it is.

We somehow scraped past the Seagulls in a frenzied 2-1 win last weekend, while the Cherries came away from the King Power stadium with a 1-0 triumph over Leicester Tity.

Match preview

Spurs…

An early scuffle between Cristian Stellini and Roberto De Zerbi - apparently for something that the former said during a press conference was one of the biggest highlights on Saturday, apart from us scrapping through against Brighton.

Even though we are ardent supporters, we can acknowledge our side's good fortune against Brighton, as Son and Harry Kane's strikes on either side of a Lewis Dunk header gave us a determined win. Still, the Seagulls had two goals disallowed and have received an apology from the PGMOL after Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's stamp on Kaoru Mitoma inside the area went unpunished (that is Life, how many times have we been in the same position and not been awarded a penalty. Life eventually levels itself out).

With just eight games left to go this season and in fifth place, we remain just three points worse off than Newcastle United and Manchester United, although they still boast a game in hand (and we play them both this month).

Inform Aston Villa take on Newcastle, while Manchester United take on Forest away this weekend. So good luck to Villa and United. Hopefully, the Bubble blowers can beat Arsenic. Man City take on struggling Leicester Titty in the battle for the League Title.

We have an unbeaten run across all competitions to six matches, and we have also claimed five victories from our last five Premier League home contests - no side has earned more points on their own patch since the start of February. Nevertheless, recent defensive frailties are waiting to be exposed by an attack-minded Bournemouth.

Such is the volatile nature of the relegation battle that Bournemouth could be dragged back into the bottom three with a dissatisfactory result this weekend, and not since the 2018-19 campaign have the Cherries won back-to-back Premier League showdowns on the road.

Our previous away game against the Cherries…

We came from 2-0 down to beat Bournemouth 3-2 in a South Coast back in October, and all five of our previous Premier League home games versus Bournemouth have ended in victory.

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:

WLWDDW

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

LDWDDW

Bournemouth Premier League form:

LWLWLW

 

Team News

Rodrigo Bentancur (knee), Emerson Royal (knee), Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring), Ben Davies (hamstring) and Yves Bissouma (ankle) are all out of contention.

Lucas Moura must also serve the second of a three-game ban following his sending-off at Everton.

Stellini is set to serve a suspension; therefore, Ryan Mason will be in control.

My possible starting lineup:

Lloris; Romero, Dier, Lenglet; Porro, Hojbjerg, Skipp, Perisic; Kulusevski, Kane, Son

My prediction…

Spurs 3-1 Bournemouth

With Bournemouth showing plenty of attacking guts in recent games, this Saturday's game could be another banana skin for us. We were extremely fortunate to come away with all three points against Brighton. Nevertheless, we possess the ingredients for success on our own Levy-constructed pitch, and Stellini should witness his side clinch a hard-fought win from the seats above from where he should be.

As for any managerial updates… take your pick, depending on what paper you read. Whoever will be anointed by Levy must know that He is the puppet master and the lucky bastard appointed is just that… a puppet! It is a pity Gerry Anderson is dead (creator of Stingray, Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet etc.) as he could have created the right person for Levy. Just a matter of interest; had any of you watched Gerry Anderson's creations on TV? I always thought their acting was wooden.

 

Well… that is it, folks!

Up the Spurs!

Glenn