What we need to see Sunday from Tottenham Hotspur v Sheffield United

In the late game Sunday afternoon Tottenham Hotspur host Sheffield United in the first of what  Interim Coach Ryan Mason termed five cup finals. Of course, the games are not cup finals rather that is a metaphor for the importance of the matches. With the first of the five remaining games against already relegated Sheffield United, it is an opportunity for Spurs to get right in a number of areas and set themselves up for a strong finish.

Now or Never for Tottenham

There have been several good weekends where the results on Friday and Saturday favored Tottenham heading into Sunday. However, on the previous occasions where the Lilywhites could have staked their claim for a piece of the top four, the Spurs have fallen short again and again.  This weekend, Leicester again stumbled but Chelsea did their job against a relegation battling team in Fulham.

For Tottenham Hotspur to have any chance at the top four they must win all 15 points left for the taking, which may still not be enough. However, to get those points, the Spurs need to fix some things that have been ailing the club and Sunday is a good chance to get moving in the right direction. Here are a couple of things Tottenham needs to and should get right on Sunday.

Spurs defense and team need a shutout

Tottenham Hotspur has taken a lot of flack for their defensive performance this season. At times the defense has been okay but it has often self-destructed, with mental and physical lapses hurting the team more than anything else.

The dumb fouls in dangerous areas have burned the team on more than one occasion and Tottenham has conceded their fair share of penalty kicks as well. The Lilywhites must avoid the dumb fouls and easy opportunities for Sheffield United, as the Pirates have struggled to score all season.

Sheffield United has only scored 18 goals all season with 5 matches remaining. The all-time record for the fewest goals in a season was Derby County in 2007-08 with just 20, which Sheffield has yet to hit. Tottenham does not want to change that especially considering Sheffield United won their last match against Brighton and clearly have nothing to lose.

Sheffield has not scored more than 2 goals in a match in the league all season and has been shut out in five of their last six road matches. Maintaining a shutout avoids giving Sheffield and hope and provides a chance for the defense to get back on track.

Tottenham need to dominate with the ball and on the scoresheet

Sheffield is not very likely to try and play a possession-oriented game, averaging just over 40% possession on the season. Instead, expect Sheffield to attack quickly with long balls, particularly down the flanks and toward the flags, allowing the wingers to run. The best way to combat the Sheffield attack is by dominating possession and making that possession count.

Sheffield typically packs the midfield with five and leaves three in the back making them susceptible down the wings and to crosses. Tottenham needs to take advantage of Heung-Min Son and whomever Mason decides to play out on the right. The more ground Chris Basham and Kean Bryan have to cover the better.

Additionally, moving the outside center-halves off their spots opens space in the middle for Harry Kane to operate. After Tottenham really struggled to get crosses off and in during the Jose Mourinho tenure, expect quite a few crosses and a lot of play on the wings as Spurs must find space past a crowded midfield.

If Tottenham can increase the service, play with the possession, and keep Sheffield off the scoreboard, it is a recipe for a win and three much-needed points for Spurs.