Tottenham v Liverpool – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Tottenham host Liverpool in the at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday. Spurs have had a two-week break between matches due to a COVID-19 outbreak but that may have given Antonio Conte time to drill down some of his concepts and ideas. Liverpool is in sensational form and has been scoring freely for most of this season.

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Tottenham Form

Since his appointment, Antonio Conte has taken 10 points from four league matches. He has also got the side scoring twice as many goals as they did per game under Nuno Espirito Santo. Spurs are now just four points off fourth place with three matches in hand.

A cagey 0-0 draw away at Everton was followed by a comeback 2-1 home win against Leeds. They were poor in the first half but responded with a high-tempo display after the break. A 2-0 home win against Brentford made it two wins in a row. Conte’s side made it nine points from nine with a 3-0 home win against Norwich. Tottenham had 40.8% ball possession scored three goals from 17 shots (three on target).

Tottenham Team News

After a spate of COVID cases, Conte has a limited squad. However, the delay since Leicester means more players will be available after isolation. Christian Romero is out injured at the back whilst it’s thought that the main illness victims are Son, Olivier Skipp, Emerson Royal, and Ben Davies. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (injury) is a major doubt.

Fringe players like Harry Winks and Tanguy Ndombele could start in central midfield. Emerson Royal’s right-wingback spot could go to either Matt Doherty or Japhet Tanganga. Steven Bergwijn or Giovani Lo Celso could replace Son in an attack.

Tottenham Motivation

Spurs are likely to play quite defensively in this match, sitting in a back five out of possession. They have “lost” the possession battle in most of Conte’s matches so far as they focus on transitions or protecting leads.

They are not likely to have more of the ball in this game but will play to nick a win or at least leave with a draw.

Liverpool Form

Klopp’s team is in outstanding form. They’ve lost once in 33 matches and have netted 2+ goals in 12 of their last 14 league matches. They’ve thoroughly put a 3-2 defeat at West Ham to bed as they scored 12 goals in their next three matches, 4-0 vs Arsenal, 4-0 against Southampton, and 4-1 vs Everton.

A last gasp 1-0 win at Wolves was followed by winning 2-1 at AC Milan with a largely second-string XI. In the last week, they’ve beaten Aston Villa 1-0 and Newcastle United 3-1 (2.8 xG). They’ve allowed 0.1 and 0.2 xG against Villa and the Magpies in top defensive displays.

Liverpool Team News

The Reds are without Virgil Van Dijk, Curtis Jones, and Fabinho due to COVID-19. Ibrahima Konate will partner Joel Matip at the back. Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson will be joined by James Milner or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in midfield.

Diogo Jota will play upfront and Liverpool have Roberto Firmino back from injury at the right time. Joe Gomez and Naby Keita are also back to boost defence and midfield respectively.

Liverpool Motivation

The Reds will be super motivated and will play a highly charged style of play. They expect to dominate the ball but will have to play with plenty of control without Van Dijk and Fabinho to protect the side from counterattacks.

With City’s form, Liverpool has to win and can’t settle for a draw. They’ll have to actively risk defeat to try to take all three points.

Key Stats

Tottenham have won their last 3 PL matches

Spurs have scored 2+ goals in their last 3 PL matches

Tottenham are averaging 1.8 goals per game in the PL under Conte (0.9 under Nuno)

Liverpool have lost 1 of their last 33 matches (all comps)

LFC have scored 2+ goals in 12 of their last 14 PL matches

LFC’s Salah has either scored or assisted a goal in 15 consecutive PL games

Verdict

This should be a very good match. The playing field is leveled somewhat by the absences of Van Dijk and Fabinho but it’s still tough to see Liverpool not winning the match. There should be a goal each with the defence absences but it could be worth waiting to see the starting XI’s to see if any new illness cases emerge.