Tottenham Hotspur travel to Southampton this weekend for a Premier League clash between two struggling sides. Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs, winless in their last two league outings, will be desperate to rediscover form against a Saints side firmly anchored at the bottom of the table.
With both teams out of sorts, this encounter at St Mary’s Stadium could prove pivotal for their respective seasons.
Tottenham’s Mixed Fortunes Under Ange Postecoglou
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It’s been a turbulent period for Tottenham, who have won just once in their last eight matches across all competitions. That lone victory—a triumph over Manchester City—showed glimpses of the attacking flair Postecoglou has sought to instil. However, back-to-back Premier League defeats against Bournemouth and Chelsea have seen Spurs slip to 11th in the standings.
A 1-1 draw in the Europa League against Rangers on Thursday stopped the rot but left much to be desired in terms of consistency. Tottenham fans will be hoping this trip to face Southampton provides the platform to rebuild momentum before their Carabao Cup quarter-final showdown with Manchester United.
Southampton’s Struggles in the Premier League
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For Southampton, life in the Premier League has been nothing short of gruelling. Russell Martin’s side sit rock-bottom, eight points adrift of safety, with just one win from 15 matches since their promotion. A 5-0 hammering by Chelsea at St Mary’s earlier this month typified their defensive frailties, which have plagued them all season.
Photo: IMAGO
Despite their dismal run, the Saints showed resilience in their recent home clash against Liverpool, proving they can still be a threat. But without a significant improvement at both ends of the pitch, Southampton’s hopes of avoiding an immediate return to the Championship appear bleak.
Team News: Injury Concerns for Both Sides
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Southampton could welcome back Jan Bednarek and Paul Onuachu, while Adam Lallana is also in contention for selection. However, key absences remain, with Gavin Bazunu, Ross Stewart, Will Smallbone, and Juan Larios all sidelined. Jack Stephens will miss out as he serves a suspension for his red card against Chelsea.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have their own injury woes. Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, and Ben Davies are unavailable, while Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur are suspended. Richarlison and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario also remain out, leaving Postecoglou with limited options.
Prediction: Spurs Poised to Bounce Back
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Despite their recent inconsistencies, this fixture provides a golden opportunity for Tottenham to return to winning ways. Southampton’s defensive vulnerabilities leave them exposed to Tottenham’s attacking threat, even with several key players unavailable.
While the Saints could cause a brief scare, Spurs are expected to dominate proceedings and secure a comprehensive victory.
**Prediction: Tottenham 3-2 Southampton**