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Three things to look for in Tottenham’s FA Cup quarterfinal

By Gary Pearson

SWANSEA, WALES - JANUARY 02: Erik Lamela (L) of Tottenham Hotspur tracked by Renato Sanches of Swansea City during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur at Liberty Stadium on January 2, 2018 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
SWANSEA, WALES - JANUARY 02: Erik Lamela (L) of Tottenham Hotspur tracked by Renato Sanches of Swansea City during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur at Liberty Stadium on January 2, 2018 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /
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With a win in Wales, Tottenham will advance to their second FA Cup semifinal in as many seasons. So what should we expect from the Liberty Stadium on Saturday? 

3. Both teams will play their strongest possible sides

Neither manager will rest key personnel in a game of this magnitude, especially with the international break beckoning. Swansea and Tottenham have bigger fish to fry in the Premier League in coming weeks, but the FA Cup quarterfinal represents an opportunity both sides would be foolish to pass up or discount.

And as the Premier League doesn’t resume until next month, there is no excuse for either team not to field their respective strongest sides. This edition of the FA Cup offers Pochettino his best chance of winning his maiden trophy as Tottenham’s manager, which has thus far proven elusive.

2. History indicates goals are forthcoming

Tottenham are prolific in the FA Cup, almost scoring at will. They’ve scored at least two goals in nine of their last 10 FA Cup matches, albeit often against lesser opponents. The only exception came at Newport, when Harry Kane managed Spurs’ only goal to keep his side’s aspiration of hoisting the FA Cup intact.

Spurs also find the net regularly at the Liberty Stadium. Pochettino’s men have bagged at least two goals in their last six visits to Swansea. Spurs are the third highest scoring away team in the top flight, bagging 28 goals. Only Manchester City (34) and Liverpool (35) have more.

The Swans have opened the floodgates at home recently, too, scoring nine goals in their last four matches, including three against Arsenal and four versus West Ham a couple of weeks ago.

1. Will Son shine brightest again?

Most pundits are leaning toward Son Heung-Min having another standout performance. In his current rich vein of form, you can’t blame people for thinking the luminous South Korean will add yet another man of the match feather to his cap.

Next: Who starts for FA Cup quarterfinal?

While Son is the clear favourite, I have an inkling that Fernando Llorente – assuming Pochettino starts the target man – will shine against his former team.

Llorente notched a hat trick last time out in the FA Cup and is well overdue for a meaningful performance on a relatively big stage, proving he hasn’t completely lost the knack for scoring a big goal or two.

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