3 Key Battles (Southampton vs Tottenham): Wanyama vs. Dele Alli And More

Southampton vs Tottenham: 3 Key Battles

A particularly tasty tie takes place with Southampton hosting Tottenham and Mauricio Pochettino is in the middle of it all. The Argentine started his Premier League management career with Southampton before he moved to Tottenham and has turned the London side into one of the most eye pleasing teams out there.

It isn’t just the way they play but their personnel which has caught the eye of many this season. Tottenham play with a lot of youngsters in the team, most from their youth academy, a breath of fresh air in this age of buying talent rather than coaxing and nurturing it through the levels in the game.

Both clubs will be looking to bounce back from losses last week, Southampton were outplayed by Crystal Palace while Tottenham sank to a surprise defeat at the hands of Newcastle that too in the last minute. With both teams willing to attack there are going to be some intriguing battles that could decide the fate of the three points.

Here are the three key battles from the game to be held at St. Mary’s.

1. Victor Wanyama vs. Dele Alli

The Kenyan has been another player who has wanted out from Southampton but had to stay put under Ronald Koeman. Wanyama might not be doing as well as he did in his first season with the Dutch manager but he will have to be at his best if he is to keep the young hotshot Dele Alli quiet.

The English midfielder has been one of the brightest and best players in the league and with Spurs nurturing him this well, it shouldn’t be a doubt that the 19-year-old is one of the key men for Tottenham and just how well he plays against Southampton could decide which way the three points go.

2. Sadio Mane vs. Toby Alderweireld

Sadio Mane has been linked with a big-money move away from Southampton from last season and while this season he started slow, he does have five assists to his name and three goals as well. More than those stats, it is his running which causes defenders a lot of problems and that is something the Spurs defence should be wary off.

Toby Alderweireld will be up against his former team, he was on loan at Southampton last season but has performed admirably for Spurs and he would have to work in tandem with his partner Vertonghen to keep Mane and Pelle out.

3. Virgil van Dyke vs. Harry Kane

The Dutch defender had excelled earlier in the Scottish Premiership with Celtic but Southampton trusted his abilities while others doubted them. The jump from Scotland to England has gone off pretty well for the defender. Van Dyke is one of the best performing central defenders in the league this season and the 24-year-old will have to be at his best to keep Harry Kane quiet.

The English striker might have had a slow start to the season with some doubting his abilities and calling him a ‘one season wonder’ but 10 goals for the 22-year-old has put those claims to bed and he will be hopeful of scoring a goal or two against Southampton to help his team win.