Unavailable:
Tottenham – Bentaleb, Alli, Dembélé
Southampton
– No Players Currently Unavailable
In this season which you think may have a
low-budget ending of “and it was all a dream” at its climax, Tottenham and
Southampton would both probably describe their respective campaigns as
bittersweet. Probably around 25% bitter, 75% sweet. Spurs never had the title
quite in their grasp – it was always a carrot that was dangled ever so slightly
too far in front of them. Their young, hungry players leapt towards it, but
their approach on Monday night highlighted that it had taken its toll on
Mauricio Pochettino’s men.
Distasteful didn’t really cover it as the
visitors could see the trophy gleaming in Claudio Ranieri’s hands while the
match drifted away from them. It must have also been incredibly frustrating
that the first time Chelsea had genuinely fought this season was to ensure that
their London rivals did not take the title. Yet Spurs have to look at the wider
picture – not a video of Wes Morgan being wheeled around Jamie Vardy’s kitchen
floor in slow motion. They have pushed and developed, and Pochettino’s tactics
have proved a match for any opponent. They may need to be altered when they
face crème de la crème of the Champions League, however that question should be
for another day.
Saints should also be content with what they
have offered. The word “if” will inevitably be banded about, but with a push
for Europa League football still in motion going into the final two games – it has
to be judged as a success. Saints just do not currently have the players to
sustain a challenge for Champions League football, as consistency can elude them
over the course of nine months. Yes, shabby cup performances should be analysed
briefly, but in the summer.
Now is a time to look forward and gamble on
grabbing as many points as possible in the next two games. Last Sunday’s
demolition of City should have gone some way to fuelling the necessary belief
for the chase. The losing Champions League semi-finalists were run ragged
through a direct approach with Dušan Tadić at the core of everything
threatening that Saints engineered throughout the afternoon. The Serbian
attacker has not been in such fine form since Ronald Koeman’s honeymoon period
at the beginning of last season. He glided from left to right, then dropped
into the hole at times, and picked the visitors off to devastating effect. He
propelled his team, who also showcased a gritty side to their game to deny City
when they had plenty of possession at the start of either half.
That may well come in handy at White Hart
Lane on Sunday, but that is not to say that Saints will not have an attacking
presence in the game. Pochettino’s tactics are still based on blood and thunder
high pressing, and Koeman can exploit that. Saints haven’t beat the North
London side during the Dutchman’s tenure – or since their return to the Premier
League for that matter – however Spurs will surely still have a hangover from
Monday night. Saints have to strike while the iron is hot.
Key
Battles
Mason v
S. Davis: As
a clear shot of Moussa Dembélé scratching away at Diego Costa’s face came to
light, there was no doubt that a replacement would be required for this Sunday’s
game. It is likely to be Ryan Mason. The England international is a useful
squad player for Spurs, but is severely limited when compared to the Belgian.
Mason covers ground well, and has the ability to put in a crunching tackle –
but sometimes they are a tad too crunching. The Spurs academy graduate is
liable to losing his head, and Saints must frustrate him on Sunday when they
have the opportunity. Steven Davis will inevitably be ready to play a key role,
nabbing the ball away from the home side before picking that sensible pass.
Walker
v Tadić: As
I mentioned previously, Dušan Tadić put in a stonking performance last Sunday,
and that was partly due to the freedom allowed to him as he continually popped
up on either side or in the centre. He will most likely be initially starting
against Kyle Walker on Sunday. The right-back has matured immensely this
season, but still marauds forward far too readily, and Tadić could punish him.
The Serbian does not have great pace, however he is incredibly clever, and
always seems to know the opportune moment to play the correct ball –
particularly in the space which Walker will probably allow him this weekend.
Possible
Line-ups
Tottenham:
Lloris
(C) – Walker, Alderweireld, Verthongen, Rose – Dier, Mason – Son, Eriksen,
Lamela – Kane
Vorm, N’Jie, Trippier, Chadli, Wimmer,
Carroll, Davies
Southampton: Forster –
Martina, Fonte (C), Van Dijk, Bertrand – Wanyama, Clasie, S. Davis – Mané, Tadić
– Long
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