Bournemouth vs. Tottenham: no time for Spurs’ self-pity
By Gary Pearson
After the sobering Champions League comedown, Spurs travel to the south coast to play Bournemouth with a chance of further solidifying their top-four stance.
It won’t be easy for Tottenham to move on from the bitter taste of Wednesday evening, but the Premier League doesn’t look kindly upon self-pity, making it all the more important for the visitors to shake it off and put in a committed performance.
Bournemouth have found the kind of form that should guarantee their place in next season’s Premier League.
Bournemouth brimming with confidence
Eddie Howe’s side haven’t tasted defeat at the Vitality Stadium in about three months, an undefeated streak spanning five games. They’ve won three – against Everton, Arsenal and Stoke – and drawn two – West Ham and Newcastle – during the unbeaten run.
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The Cherries are the 13th best side at home in the top flight, taking 19 of 42 points.
Since the turn of the new year, they’ve been excellent, showing commitment and enterprise along with a clinical nose for goal.
Three or more goals have been scored in Bournemouth’s last six home matches, and more should be forthcoming on Sunday.
Don’t count the Cherries out if they go down early, as Howe’s side are the most resilient around. They’ve accumulated 13 points from losing positions, the most of any top flight team.
Only Tottenham and Manchester City have better records in the last 10 games, so expect a highly contested and intriguing encounter between two adventurous, fluid teams.
Tottenham trying to forget Wednesday
Sunday marks Mauricio Pochettino’s 144th match in charge of Spurs, levelling him with Harry Redknapp. He’ll love most a win to help vanquish the residual nightmares from Juventus on Wednesday.
His team enters play on Sunday as the only remaining undefeated Premier League squad since the turn of the new year. While the loss to Juventus ended the club’s 17-game unbeaten run in all competitions, Mauricio and company still have their current league undefeated streak to nurture.
Spurs have eight wins during their current 11-game run, which includes a +24-goal differential. Three clean sheets on the trot and five in seven highlight jus how stingy Spurs have been lately.
Historically successful against Bournemouth, the Lilywhites have won six of seven in all competitions versus their south coast adversaries.
Next: Try to console a Spurs supporter at your own peril
In his only visit to the Vitality Stadium, back in October 2015, Harry Kane bagged a hat trick. Spurs’ assassin has six goals in only four previous encounters with Bournemouth, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him add to that impressive return rate on Sunday.