Tottenham Hotspur vs Huddersfield Town
Date: 13/04/2019
K/O: 12:30
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
TV: Sky Sports Main Event
Referee: Lee Mason
Mauricio Pochettino’s side host the already relegated Huddersfield Town as they look to cement their Champions League position for next year.
This Saturday’s game will be Tottenham’s second Premier League game in their new stadium, and it’s already becoming a fortress. Back on Tuesday night Spurs made a statement; a message that told the seven other teams in the Champions League that they mean business.
A resilient performance against one of the best teams in the world has placed them as the slight favourites to progress to the semi-finals of Europe’s premier competition. Not only was this a statement of intent for European football, but it shows the fight within their new battleground which they are bringing to the Premier League.
On the other end of the spectrum Huddersfield may be down but they are still fighting and looking to win games. Town come into the game off the back of five losses, and Spurs are the obvious favourites. But the main enemy for Pochettino’s side is complacency.
The Terriers boss, Jan Siewert, commented: ”Everyone expects something from them. So we are free to go there and give our best.” The sense of freedom and lack of pressure often has an effect on how a relegated team play. But judging by the Terriers last performance, it hasn’t had much effect.
Siewert will have to try and find some positives before the end of the season. His main objective will be to gain a clear understanding of his team and take some impetus into the Championship next year.
The head coach noted, “We try to build some momentum for next season; this is our ambition.” With five games remaining Town could create some upsets, and they might have the deciding say in the title race when they face Liverpool before the penultimate game of the season.
If all goes to plan for Tottenham Hotspur they will take third place for the second consecutive year, remaining in the Champions League. However, they could still lose it all. Spurs have to play City again in the second leg and once more the following weekend in the Premier League.
If Guardiola’s side manage to turn the tie around and then subsequently beat Spurs at the Etihad, Tottenham will be walking away empty-handed again. The last five games in the league are all must wins for the North London side if they want to remain in contention to finish third.
Chasing them are Manchester United (three points behind) and Arsenal (one point behind), so any slip up and dropping of points could ultimately cost them Champions League football for 2020.
Team News
Tottenham Hotspur
Pochettino has stated that Harry Kane could miss the rest of the season with yet another ankle ligament injury. This is following Tuesdays momentous victory against Man City, when Kane clashed with former England man Fabian Delph in a 50-50 challenge.
Dele Alli is another worry concerning Pochettino. The midfielder was substituted late against Man City because of a wrist injury. The seriousness of the injury is unclear, and the English international will be assessed in the coming days.
Son Heung-Min has filled in for Kane’s absence in the past, and will most likely slot in for the return leg against City next week. But in terms of Saturday’s visit of Huddersfield, Pochettino may decide to rest the influential winger and save him for the return leg next week.
Fernando Llorente may then be recalled, giving Son a breather. Llorente would be the obvious choice to start up front against the Terriers, and despite the Spaniard having started just three games this season in the league and scoring just one goal, Saturday could be a chance for him to increase his tally.
Aurier, Dier and Lamela are all fitness doubts with ongoing injuries. But Ben Davies and Davinson Sanchez are both available should Pochettino decide to freshen his team up.
Huddersfield Town
The good news for Siewert is that their injury list hasn’t increased, but unfortunately, it hasn’t got much smaller.
Demeaco Duhaney and Adama Diakhaby are both doubts ahead of the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Laurent Depoitre may not also not feature as he has had an ongoing foot injury, and may not quite be ready. Isaac Mbenza trained this week but doesn’t look likely to be fit enough to start.
Billing is another worry for Siewert, the young midfielder may also be out of this game with a back injury.
The good news is that Jonathan Hogg, Danny Williams and Christoper Schindler are all available after coming out of last week game against Leicester unscathed. It seems that Siewert will revert to the 4-2-3-1 that he used last week, instead of a more defensive approach.
The major problem with this formation is that their star player, Aaron Mooy, is not being utilised effectively. His usual central position enhances Town’s midfield with accurate passing and defending, but being played out on the right of midfield it seems to isolate him.
Predicted Starting XIs
Tottenham Hotspur: (4-3-3) Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Davies; Wanyama, Winks, Eriksen; Lucas, Son, Llorente
Huddersfield Town: (4-2-3-1) Hamer; Smith, Schindler, Kongolo, Durm; Bacuna, Hogg; Mooy, Pritchard, Lowe; Grant
Score Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 3 Huddersfield Town 0
I can only see Spurs winning this game. In their new stadium, after just beating City they have all the momentum needed to steamroll the Terriers. Despite Kane’s injury, their squad depth will easily carry them through and it’s hard to see them even conceding. Spurs cannot afford to lose, with that in mind Son could make a cameo appearance as at the moment he seems unstoppable.
