Four keys to Tottenham Hotspur topping Southampton
By Aaron Coe
Tottenham Hotspur hosts a Southampton team that managed to draw Spurs last time out; here are four keys to topping the Saints and taking all three points.
It was only six weeks ago in late December when Tottenham went down to the south coast and left Southampton with a share of the spoils. Spurs scored three times that day, but only one of the three counted and Tottenham dropped two points. To avoid another slip-up against the Saints, Spurs must improve upon that prior performance; here are four keys to a Spurs victory.
Tottenham Key #1 – Work the ball wide
Since Antonio Conte has taken over the club, Tottenham has had a real advantage on the wings. We expect Sergio Reguilon and Emerson Royal to start for Spurs. While the pair may not be perfect, both bring a lot to the table and have significant advantages over their counterparts from Southampton.
The likely duo of Valentino Livramento and Kyle Walker-Peters are serviceable wide players. However, Emerson’s size and pace should trouble Walker-Peters. Likewise, Reguilon’s motor and ability to combine with Heung-min Son in attack should give Livramento all he can handle.
Both Livramento and Walker-Peters like to dribble with the ball; Spurs need to take advantage of that with defensive pressure to create turnovers on the wings, and then press their advantage. Against many teams, the Saints pair has an edge which is not the case against Spurs.