Two Teams, Two Different Stories: Tottenham Hotspur Vs Stoke City Preview

Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham will look to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they take on Mark Hughes’ Stoke City at White Hart Lane on Sunday. The London club suffered their first defeat in 10 League games against Liverpool as they ran out 2-0 losers at Anfield. And Mark Hughes will be hoping to keep Spurs under pressure when they visit North London.

Stoke have lost just one of their previous six matches, drawing two and winning three, and hence will be looking to capitalize on their opponents’ latest exit from the Europa League. Tottenham have won their last two meetings against Stoke by a 4-0 margin, both away from home.

Being unbeaten at home this season, Pochettino’s side should have an easy task ahead of them and they could use that blanket to reheat some momentum they had lost in the recent few weeks.

Tottenham will still be without Danny Rose and Erik Lamela for the match. The defender is out with a knee injury and Ben Davies is expected to continue at the left-back position. The Argentine winger meanwhile is still recovering from a hip problem.

For Stoke, Xherdan Shaqiri is set to make his return to the squad after missing the last three games with a calf problem. Phil Bardsley who limped off in the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace last time out and Wilfried Bony who was ruled out of the same game because of illness, are both expected to be available for Hughes. Saido Berahino could be included in the starting line-up for the first time after leaving West Brom in January. Jonathan Walters and Geoff Cameron, both of whom had knee problems, are close to their comebacks. However, it seems like this game is too soon for the duo.

Tottenham Hotspur Predicted Starting Line-Up:

Hugo Lloris, Kyle Walker, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Ben Davies, Moussa Dembele, Victor Wanyama, Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli, Son Heung-min, Harry Kane.

Stoke City Predicted Starting Line-Up: Grant, Bardsley, Shawcross, Martins Indi, Pieters, Whelan, Imbula, Arnautovic, Allen, Sobhi, Crouch.

Lee Grant, Phil Bardsley, Ryan Shawcross, Bruno Martins Indi, Erik Pieters, Glen Whelan, Gianelli Imbula, Marko Arnautovic, Joe Allen, Ramadan Sobhi, Peter Crouch.

With Tottenham fighting for the league, an inconsistent Stoke in ninth position may not stand a chance against a mighty Spurs team. However, Pochettino cannot afford another slip-up and the pressure may just get to the players. They will be hoping that they don’t damage themselves by stepping on a banana skin.