Big Match Breakdown: Tottenham v Liverpool
Published:
Top-four contenders clash
Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool will both be looking to build on impressive results in the Champions League when they face off at Wembley on Sunday.
Spurs picked up a surprise point against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. Meanwhile, Liverpool put in an emphatic performance to hit Maribor for seven in Slovenia.
It’s the hosts that are in the better form, though. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have won their last three in the Premier League and are unbeaten in ten games in all competitions.
Liverpool, by contrast, are unbeaten in five matches but have only won once in the Premier League since beating Arsenal at Anfield in August.
Head to Head
Liverpool have dominated this fixture in recent years. The Reds have won their two most recent matches against Spurs and are unbeaten in 10 games against the North Londoners.
Not since a 2-1 victory in 2012 have the Lilywhites claimed victory against their Merseyside opponents.
In their most recent meeting, Sadio Mane scored twice in a two-minute burst to give the Reds a 2-0 victory at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp’s side were held to a 1-1 draw in their last ever visit to White Hart Lane.
The two sides have only ever met twice at Wembley Stadium. Liverpool have triumphed on both occasions, with both matches taking place in 1982.
The Likely XIs
Jurgen Klopp is still without Sadio Mane ahead of the trip to Wembley. That means Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah should continue up top in a front three.
Jordan Henderson was rested in the week as the Reds overcame Maribor in Slovenia. But he should return in place of James Milner at the base of the midfield.
Simon Mignolet and Joe Gomez are also both expected to return.
Tottenham are expected to revert to a more conventional back-three for this one. That means Kieran Trippier and Ben Davies should return to the line-up, with Jan Vertonghen shifted back to the centre of defence
Dele Alli missed the trip to Real Madrid through suspension but is available for the Wembley clash. He should start in place of Fernando Llorente as Spurs revert to a 3-4-2-1 formation. Moussa Sissoko also looks set to drop out.
Key Battles
The key to this match could be the performance of Harry Winks. The midfield outshone Luka Modric at the Bernabeu and will be looking to put in a similarly impressive display against Liverpool.
However, Spurs will need to be at their best defensively to prevent Liverpool’s own potent attacking trio.
The Reds have enjoyed great success against the North Londoners in the past. And that means Jan Vertonghen, Davinson Sanchez and Toby Alderweireld will all have to be at the top of their respective games to stem the attacking tide from Merseyside.
Match Odds
Tottenham are in good form and go into the match as the favourites. Spurs are 23/20 to take all three points, while Liverpool are temptingly priced at 11/5 to extend their good run against the North Londoners. The draw is available at 13/5.
Given his goalscoring exploits so far this season, it should come as no surprise that Harry Kane is odds-on at 5/6 to score anytime. A better bet could be the England ace to score first at 14/5.
Liverpool’s attacking trio are all closely priced to find the back of the net at Wembley. Firmino is 19/10, Salah is 2/1 and Coutinho is the longest-priced of the bunch at 9/4.
With goals expected in this contest, the draw and over 2.5 goals also makes appeal at 8/1.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
