Southampton-Tottenham is a match valid for the 28th day of the Premier League and is played on Saturday at 16:00: TV, predictions.
Defending fourth place is now the only goal for Tottenham, who have dropped out of both domestic cups and were also recently eliminated from the Champions League in the double-header with AC Milan, already in the round of 16. Not finishing in the top four and at least repeating last year’s result would be a disaster for Antonio Conte’s men, whose future in the English capital looks increasingly in the balance.
Spurs are currently four points ahead of fifth-placed Newcastle and six ahead of sixth-placed Liverpool, but the Magpies have played two fewer games and the Reds one. One cannot, therefore, rest too much on one’s laurels. That is why Kane and his team-mates immediately turned the page after the cup disappointment, beating Nottingham Forest (3-1) and extending their home unbeaten streak: Tottenham have not lost at home for two months, while in the last four away matches they have only suffered defeats, failing to score even a goal against AC Milan, Sheffield United and Wolverhampton. Conte, meanwhile, will take to the pitch knowing Newcastle’s result in Friday’s early fixture against Nottingham Forest: the Italian coach will then know whether the Magpies have moved to -1 or whether the gap will remain unchanged. No line-up changes are expected: in addition to long-suffering players Bissouma, Lloris, Bentancur and Sessegnon, Emerson Royal, who is still not at his best, is also expected to miss out.
Southampton create too little
After Nottingham Forest, there is another team struggling to keep their category in Tottenham’s path: last-placed Southampton
Carlos Alcaraz
The Saints took to the pitch this week to salvage the match against Brentford, which was an inviting opportunity to try and leave the red zone. The Londoners, although they were a little less motivated, got the better of it 2-0, with Ruben Selles’ side once again defeated after two positive results – a draw with Leicester and a win against Manchester United – had restored hope. It was a step back from the superb defensive performance at Old Trafford. Although it is in attack that Southampton are disappointing, scoring just three goals in their last eight league games.
The Prediction
Southampton have kept their goals unbeaten in recent weeks against both Chelsea and Manchester United, but their main problem is their inability to create chances. Tottenham do not shine in the non-possession phase either, which is why we do not expect too many goals in this match. Spurs can do no wrong and are slight favourites.
The likely Southampton-Tottenham line-up
- SOUTHAMPTON (4-2-3-1): Bazunu; Bree, Bednarek, Bella-Kotchap, Perraud; Ward-Prowse, Lavia; Walcott, Alcaraz, Sulemana; Onuachu.
- TOTTENHAM (3-4-3): Forster; Romero, Dier, Lenglet; Pedro Porro, Hojbjerg, Skipp, Davies; Richarlison, Kane, Son.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 0-1
