Tottenham Hotspur vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Date: 16/05/2021
K/O: 14:05
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Referee: Martin Atkinson
TV: Sky Sports Main Event
With three games remaining, Tottenham host Wolves in what is hoped to be the last round of fixtures without fans in attendance.
Tottenham’s Champions League hopes were effectively put to rest last weekend by Leeds United, a team who have somewhat emulated Wolves’ spirit and capacity in their first season back in the top flight. Indeed, 3-1 to Leeds was the scoreline last week. Bielsa’s men were relentless and constantly on the front foot, and such a tactic often allows plenty of goals to make their way past Hugo Lloris. Suggesting that Lloris has been one of Tottenham’s best players this season certainly raises eyebrows with regards to the defensive line in front of him.
Still, Tottenham still have a competitive duty to finish above their rivals Arsenal, preferably with a spot in the Europa League – and not the new Europa Conference League. It’s likely that the team in seventh place will make the inauguration of the controversially devised competition. Which position do Tottenham currently occupy? Seventh.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have presented Tottenham with a number of dilemmas since their return to the Premier League in 2018, particularly at Spurs’ home ground. Games against Wolves also seem to come at pivotal moments for Tottenham, and although the top four is largely out of reach, the few games remaining are very important for Ryan Mason.
Although not as successful a season as the previous two, Wolves have survived a gruelling year without arguably their most valuable asset out for much of the campaign. Raul Jimenez was a key contributor to Wolves finishing seventh two seasons in a row, and the fractured skull that has kept him out since November has no doubt prevented the Midlands outfit from reaching the same heights of days gone.
Wolves have had some decent results trickling in as the season comes to a close, picking up a satisfying victory against Brighton last weekend, Morgan Gibbs-White scoring the winner in the closing moments. One man who has hugely stepped up to fill the gap left by Jimenez is 18-year-old Fabio Silva. As expected for a youngster, Silva was picking up very little game time prior to his more experienced counterpart’s head injury. However, since he came into the first team, he’s got better and better and quickly established a foundation for the rest of his career.
Team News
Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs’ injury list has remained mostly consistent for the last month or so, with Ben Davies the only absentee. This is still the case, with the Welshman out with a calf injury.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
As for Wolves, the injury list is more significant. Willy Boly has been suffering symptoms of long covid, and thus is a doubt, despite being involved in training.
Meanwhile, Marcal is gradually recovering from his groin injury, while Pedro Neto, Jonny and Raul Jimenez are out for the rest of the season.
Predicted Starting XIs
Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Reguilon, Dier, Alderweireld, Aurier; Hojbjerg, Lo Celso; Son, Lucas, Bale; Kane
Wolverhampton Wanderers (4-2-3-1): Patricio; Ait Nouri, Kilman, Coady, Hoever; Moutinho, Dendoncker; Traore, Ferreira, Gibbs-White; Silva
Score Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
There is plenty of potential for goals at both ends, with both team possessing the attacking quality to break down the permeable defence of the opposition.
