Spurs, looking to get back to winning ways after coming up short against Chelsea in their opening home game at Wembley, welcome Burnley on Sunday.
A bit about Burnley
Winning five in a row at home against Burnley, this encounter offers Spurs a perfect opportunity to rebound from last week’s bitterly disappointing loss. Burnley won a single away match, against Crystal Palace, during the 2016-17 season. By beating Chelsea 3-2 at Stamford Bridge on opening day they have already equalled their away wins tally from last season.
It means Burnley is on a modest two-match winning streak in the capital dating back to April. Burnley came back down to earth last week, as West Brom suffocated Sam Vokes and the Lancashire side’s attack.
Tough to break down and find scoring opportunities against, Spurs, by zipping the ball quickly around the Wembley pitch, must show their intent from kickoff. Everyone expects Burnley to park the bus and make the most of set pieces and dead-ball opportunities.
That’s where Vokes is at his predatory best. Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen will be bombarded with crosses, testing their aerial credentials. Expect the back three to be on high alert, ensuring Burnley aren’t able to score on the break or via a set piece. That is where their main goal threat lies.
Tottenham narrative is set
I’m not going to harp on about the “Wembley hoodoo” everyone in the media keeps going on about. It goes without saying that Spurs need to dominate this match for the duration. Spurs won both matches last season (2-0 away, 2-1 home) and have scored at least two goals in their last five matches against the Lancashire side.
Expect Tottenham to make a statement of intent on Sunday. Yet to score a Premier League goal in August, Harry Kane is preparing to burst the scoreless bubble. Kane, in 12 previous August matches, has attempted 34 shots to no avail. Scoring on 26 percent of his attempted shots last season, Kane is well overdue an August goal.
The 24-year-old is also a strike away from scoring his 100th goal in all competitions.
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Since the new Wembley opened in 2007, Tottenham have won only two of their 11 games there. It’s time for Spurs to start a new Wembley chapter and there’s no better way to set things right than for Kane to score his milestone goal while breaking his prolonged August duck.
And now it’s prediction time: Spurs will win this game 3-0 and Kane will get off the mark with his first Premier League goal of the new campaign.