Tottenham v Liverpool – Preview, Predictions, and Best Bets

Tottenham host Liverpool on Sunday . Both sides played in Europa in midweek, Spurs won 2-1 at Marseille to top their group, and the Reds beat Napoli 2-0. The hosts sit 10 points clear of the Merseyside giants with Klopp’s side suffering four losses in 12 in the league already.

Tottenham Form

After five wins and two draws in seven to start this season, Spurs have had a dip. They’ve lost four of their last 12 matches, including three of their last six league encounters. A 3-1 defeat at Arsenal preceded a 1-0 win at Brighton and a 2-0 home victory against Everton. They were then beaten 2-0 at Man Utd in a poor display before a 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle.

A 1-1 home draw with Sporting Lisbon came next and the season threatened to unravel. Conte’s side dug deep though to turn a 2-0 deficit at Bournemouth into a 3-2 win in the last minute. In midweek, they trailed Marseille 1-0 away but came back to win 2-1 and avoid an early exit from the UEFA Champions League.

Tottenham Team News

Antonio Conte has four injuries for this match, with three of those in the attack. Richarlison is still out and Dejan Kulusevski has had a setback in his recovery. Heung-Min Son has undergone surgery on a facial injury too. Lucas Moura could partner Harry Kane up front in a 3-5-2 formation with Yves Bissouma in midfield. Ivan Perisic could also play in the front three but Bryan Gil is not a serious starting option.

At the back, Cristian Romero is touch-and-go to return so it could be an unchanged defensive line of Ben Davies, Clement Lenglet, and Eric Dier. Emerson Royal is set for a recall at right wingback in place of Ryan Sessegnon.

Tottenham Motivation

Conte’s approach is expected to be pretty defensive, even at home. Liverpool could have a lot of the ball with Tottenham defending deep and looking to use counter attacks. Without Son, Kulusevski, and Richarlison, this approach may not work as effectively.

With little on the bench in the way of attackers, Spurs may struggle if they fall behind. Despite a defensive strategy, Conte will play to win and won’t settle for a draw.

Liverpool Form

Klopp’s team have struggled in league action this term, sitting in ninth place with four Premier League losses. They were beaten 1-0 at Nottingham Forest and then 2-1 at home to Leeds a week ago after conceding late. Prior to those defeats, the Reds have beaten Man City and West Ham both 1-0 at home.  

In the Champions League, Liverpool haven’t had the same problems. They’ve won their last five group fixtures, including 2-0 at home to Napoli in midweek. Liverpool have only kept seven clean sheets in 18 matches this season but four of those have come in the last six fixtures in all competitions.

Liverpool Team News

Key wingers in Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota are both ruled out for this one. Joel Matip is still absent in defence but Ibrahima Konate is fit again to partner Virgil Van Dijk. Andy Robertson should return to the XI at left back in place of Kostas Tsimikas.

In midfield, Jordan Henderson was missing in midweek and James Milner went off injured. Harvey Elliott could start on the right of the trio. Jurgen Klopp used a 4-3-3 in midweek with Curtis Jones on the left. Darwin Nunez is an option to be recalled for this one in place of Roberto Firmino or a midfield diamond shape could also be used.

Liverpool Motivation

The Reds need to play for the victory in this match to move up from ninth in the table, some 10 points off Tottenham. Motivation will be very high because a fifth league defeat of the season would threaten to turn this into a repeat of the 2020-21 slump season.

Liverpool will try to attack but know Spurs don’t want the ball and will have to guard against counters.

Key Stats

Spurs have lost 3 of their last 6 PL matches

Tottenham have won 8 of their last 9 home matches (PL)

Spurs and Liverpool have seen Both Teams Scoring in their last 4 meetings

Liverpool have conceded in 11 of their 18 matches this season (all comps)

Liverpool have lost 4 of their last 10 PL matches

Liverpool are unbeaten in 10 matches vs Tottenham in all competitions

Verdict

Both sides are below their best level in the league of late. Liverpool are simply not themselves but have a great record vs Spurs and faces an opponent with some big injuries in the attack. I can see Klopp’s side leaving North London with something.