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Tottenham poised to build on their current winning trend against Swansea

By Gary Pearson

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur applauds during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton at Wembley Stadium on December 26, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur applauds during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton at Wembley Stadium on December 26, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Feeling pretty good about their Yuletide season, Spurs travel to Swansea on the back of two comprehensive Premier League victories. 

While two matches isn’t enough to form a trend, Mauricio Pochettino will be delighted with how his team responded to the morale-sapping 4-1 loss to Manchester City just over two weeks ago.

Creating scoring chances at will, Spurs, other than the City match, seem to be back to their enterprising, fluid best. Spurs scored15 goals in two consecutive wins either side of the City loss, breaking loose to bag five against Stoke and Southampton.

It’s true that Spurs’ last four wins have come against teams they’re are expected to beat, but that hasn’t always been the case. Confidence, when you have the right personnel, is one of the most important factors for any Premier League team.

If December is anything to go by, Tottenham’s confidence is restored just in time for the most important stretch of the season. The Lilywhites travel to Wales after breaking their five-match road winless streak against Burnley on Dec. 23.

What to expect from Swansea

Swansea are reeling at the bottom of the table, the Welsh team with the dubious record of the league’s worst home side. They have won two of 10 home matches, but might be lifted by the new-manager syndrome. Sides invariably perform beyond expectations, albeit usually briefly, when a change of manager is made.

Paul Clement was sacked after Swansea’s poor start to the campaign. Carlos Carvalhal, who was sacked by Sheffield Wednesday last week, takes charge of a Swansea side in deep relegation trouble. Wilfried Bony remains sidelined by a nagging hamstring injury, so Carvalhal will need to find a scoring touch elsewhere. The Swans are the league’s lowest scoring team, finding the net only 13 times in 21 matches.

Spurs, however, cannot take anything for granted.

You might recall the last time these two met, when Swansea parked the bus at Wembley and Spurs were unable to find a breakthrough in the 0-0 stalemate. Those type of results have historically plagued Spurs, which is why it’s one of their five New Year’s resolutions.

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Expect Swansea to play out of their skin trying to impress the new manager. But Spurs have turned the corner and will put in a mature,  professional performance, even if they’re forced to play without the world’s most prominent striker. Battling a bout of the flu, Harry Kane is still doubtful for Tuesday’s encounter.

Spurs will start the new year the way they finished 2017, keeping pace with the top four while concurrently bringing Carvalhal back down to Earth.