Premier League Preview: Tottenham vs Huddersfield
Kick-off: Saturday, March 3, 15:00 Venue: Wembley Stadium
Tottenham can consolidate their place in the Champions League places when they welcome Huddersfield Town to Wembley.
Apart from Manchester City, Spurs are the Premier League’s form team and their run of 16 games without defeat in all competitions is their best for 19 years.
David Wagner’s men cannot boast anything like that kind of rhythm, but their fortunes have improved in recent weeks, winning consecutive league games against Bournemouth and West Brom to drag themselves out of the mire - at least for now.
What doesn’t bode well for them is their record against the elite. Despite their famous victory over Manchester United back in October, the other times they’ve faced any of the top six, they’ve lost, conceding 18 goals in six matches.
When these two sides met earlier in the season, the north Londoners put on a masterclass. Harry Kane scored a brace on that occasion, with Ben Davies and Moussa Sissoko also netting in a 4-0 victory.
Mauricio Pochettino will have plenty to think about ahead of their latest meeting, with Lucas Moura and Heung-Min Son both shining in their 6-1 FA Cup replay triumph over Rochdale in midweek.
Anyone who watched a farcical first half of that one will be pleased to know that there will be no VAR at Wembley this weekend.
Team news
Huddersfield will not be at full strength, as Sean Scannell has not yet recovered from a shoulder injury. Jon Stankovic and Elias Kachunga both have knee problems, as does Aaron Mooy, though the latter could still make an appearance. Chris Lowe and Philip Billing will also undergo late tests.
Spurs’ only concerns are at centre-back, but they are big worries. Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld missed the wins over Crystal Palace and Rochdale and while Pochettino has described them as short-term absentees, Alderweireld’s hamstring injury has proved complicated this season and it remains to be seen if he is ready for 90 minutes.
Expected line-ups:
Tottenham: Lloris, Aurier, Dier, Sanchez, Davies, Dembele, Wanyama, Eriksen, Alli, Son, Kane
Huddersfield: Lossl, Hadergjonaj, Zanka, Schindler, Kongolo, Williams, Hogg, Quaner, Pritchard, Van La Parra, Mounie
Did you know?
Huddersfield’s Alex Pritchard spent five years at White Hart Lane, coming up through the Academy, though he only ever made two appearances for the senior team and was sent on loan to Peterborough, Swindon, Brentford, and West Brom. The 24-year-old will no doubt be looking to make a point against his old club.
Prediction: The Terriers have hauled themselves up to 14th in the table, yet there are still just three points between them and 18th-placed Swansea City. Not so long ago, it looked as if they were in real danger.
Although Spurs were flat for large spells in their last outing against Palace, Kane ensured they found a way to win. With Chelsea up against Manchester City on Sunday, this is a fantastic opportunity for the Lilywhites to earn some breathing space.
At home, Pochettino’s men have been much more consistent, unbeaten in the Premier League at the national stadium since August. Tottenham 2-0 Huddersfield
