Tottenham and Southampton Anxious For Premier League Points
By Logan Holmes
Tottenham meet Southampton for the 50th League match at White Hart Lane in a game which is crucial to both clubs but for different reasons. Spurs need three points in their continuing battle for a Champions League finish while the Saints are anxious for points to secure their Premier League status for another season.
Will Gareth Bale deliver against his former club? [Photo: Jav The_DoC_66]Tottenham will be hoping that their treble award winning star, Gareth Bale will be in the mood to put in a match winning performance against his former club. The PFA Player and Young Player of the Year and the FWA Player of the Year made all the difference in the match at St. Mary’s in October. In a scintillating first half display Bale scored the opening goal with a header and Clint Dempsey added a second 6 minutes before the interval. After Spurs domination of the first half, Southampton recovered in the second and scored with 24 minutes to go. it was a relieved Tottenham who held on for the win.
Previous Meetings
- Southampton’s last game at White Hart Lane was in December, 2004 when Jermain Defoe scored a hat-trick in Spurs’ 5 – 1 win. Fredi Kanoute and Robbie Keane provided the other goals. Peter Crouch scored for Southampton early in the second half but it made little difference in a match that Spurs dominated as the Saints relegations problems continued.
- Southampton’s last win at Tottenham was the previous season. They won 3 – 1 in September, 2003 which resulted in the sacking of Glenn Hoddle. The visitors went ahead after 3 minutes through Beattie. He added a second before half-time and when Gardner scored an own goal after an hour the writing was on the wall for Tottenham and Hoddle. Kanoute scored the Tottenham goal two minutes later but it was of little consequence.
- Just twelve months earlier, in August, 2002, everything had appeared so good in Hoddle’s early days as Tottenham manager. Before the game, new signing, Robbie Keane was presented to White Hart Lane crowd and a 2 – 1 win over Southampton took Spurs to the top of the League after Teddy Sheringham scored an injury time penalty to win the game.
Tottenham’s Home Record against Southampton (inc. PL)
P 49 W 31 D 9 L 9 For 126 Ag 53
Premier League at White Hart Lane
P 13 W 9 D 2 L 2 For 33 Ag 13
Southampton
The visitors are currently 13th in the League on 39 points. They have made an excellent recovery after early season difficulties but are still anxious over the final relegation place which is seven points below them. Although they are not mathematically safe they have probably done enough to secure another season in the Premier League. They lost their opening four league games of the season and still had only 4 points in early November. They have gradually gathered points through the season though their form led to Nigel Adkins losing his post in January to be replaced by the Argentine and former Espanyol manager, Mauricio Pochettino.
Southampton have won 3 away matches this year, drawn 6 and lost 8. The wins came against relegation rivals at QPR, Reading and Aston Villa. In their last away match they earned a scoreless draw at Swansea. They are undefeated in their last three away games having won at Reading (2 – 0) and drawn at 0 – 0 Norwich. Three away games without conceding a goal. In last week’s game, however, they lost 3 – 0 at home to West Brom. They finished with nine men, Fox and Ramirez being sent off and so will miss today’s match.
Ricky Lambert is again Southampton’s leading goal scorer with 14 goals, Rodriguez has 9 and Puncheon has scored 6.
Once again Spurs can expect a battling determined performance from opponents who will give them little time on the ball and will look to break quickly. Michael Dawson and Jan Vertonghen can expect a busy afternoon competing against Lambert.
Tottenham
Spurs will probably look to play both Bale and Aaron Lennon from the start to provide width and pace on the wings – a return to the style which suits them best. Tom Huddlestone may continue in central midfield with doubts over Mousa Dembele’s fitness. Reports suggest that Emmanuel Adebayor has recovered from injury.
In the current situation, Tottenham’s need for three points is greater than Southampton’s. Spurs can’t take anything for granted against Southampton but if they don’t take the three points their Champions League quest will be all but over unless there is a series of unexpected results elsewhere this weekend.