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Stoke’s Mark Hughes: Tottenham are Running Out of Games

By Alexander Balano

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Mark Hughes manager of Stoke City looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Southampton at Britannia Stadium on March 12, 2016 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Mark Hughes manager of Stoke City looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Southampton at Britannia Stadium on March 12, 2016 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham have been running out of games to overtake Leicester since dropping points against West Ham and Arsenal in back-to-back weeks to begin the month of March.

Prior to today’s results with both Leicester City and Arsenal drawing, Stoke City manager Mark Hughes told the media at his pre-match press conference a couple of days ago that Tottenham were running out of games to win the Premier League title.

With a game in-hand, because Spurs play tomorrow night (April 18, 2016) and as mentioned above, Leicester’s draw against West Ham United plays perfectly into Tottenham’s hands so long as they’re able to beat Stoke. Something that they have never done with Mauricio Pochettino as manager.

Related Story: Who Will Start for Spurs Against Stoke City?

It’s not surprising that Mark Hughes believes that time is running out for Tottenham since they are still technically in a title race with the Foxes despite an eight point gap separating the top two clubs.

And with Spurs very focused on not dropping any more points, otherwise Leicester will win the title by default, the Welsh manager is hoping his side could pounce on a team desperate to not make any mistakes from now until the end of the season.

“Tottenham will feel that they need to win every game,” Hughes said at his pre-match media conference (quotes via FourFourTwo).

“They are running out of games now. Even if they win them all then their fate still isn’t in their own hands. In terms of the game then they will have to come here and be positive and I think that will help us.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 10 : Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur applauds after the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at White Hart Lane on April 10 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 10 : Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur applauds after the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at White Hart Lane on April 10 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images) /

A lot is on the line on Monday night for Tottenham.

Obviously on one hand, a win for Spurs will cut the deficit to five points and will make an interesting few weeks to close out the month of April and begin May.

On the other hand, for as good as Tottenham have been this season they have slipped up against teams they should have beaten. And Stoke City is one such example.

With two losses to the Potters last season, Tottenham started off very strong in their first meeting this term with a 2-0 lead heading into half-time.

Twelve minutes left in the game and the match would turn completely upside down.

Spurs’ 2-0 lead quickly evaporated with Stoke scoring twice in five minutes to take a point at White Hart Lane.

Something like this can’t happen again, and Mark Hughes is hoping Tottenham will drop off one more time against his side.

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“We have struggled at times against teams who come here and sit back, but in the games against teams who come and back their ability against us, we tend to do well.”

“We have beaten Chelsea, Manchester City and [Manchester] United, so we are confident.”

“If they aren’t consistent in all aspects of their game then they could leave gaps for us. We will be positive against them.”

“That said they are a top team and they have exceptional talent. They are having a great season and will feel that this is a real opportunity for them.”

Stoke’s 4-1 loss against Liverpool in their last game isn’t necessarily indicative of the kind of team that Mauricio Pochettino and company will be facing at the Britannia Stadium.

There’s some hope that Leicester drawing against West Ham gives Tottenham that extra motivation to go out and finish the job that they failed to do so back in August 15 after drawing 2-2 with Stoke.

Next: Pair of Red Cards Work in Spurs' Favor

Assuming that Spurs win on Monday, with five points going to separate Leicester and Tottenham, the probability of Spurs claiming their first league title in over 50 years will increase just a bit.

If Mauricio Pochettino’s side remains winless against Stoke City once again, then the earliest that Leicester City can win the Premier League is on April 24th against Swansea City at home or against Manchester United on the road on May 1st.