Football Previews

    Southampton vs Spurs preview, predictions & possible XIs

    By Harry Edwards

    Published: 17:01, 29 December 2019 | Updated: 14:11, 12 February 2020

    Tottenham Hotspur will have their eyes on the Premier League‘s top four when they face Southampton on New Year’s Day.

    Jose Mourinho’s side are currently four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea and can scarcely afford to lose any further ground.

    Southampton, meanwhile, will be looking to continue their decent run against London clubs over the Christmas period, beating Chelsea and drawing with Crystal Palace.

    Positive results have Southampton four points clear of the relegation zone but they are by no means safe.

    Read on for our Southampton vs Tottenham preview, team news, TV coverage information and more.

    When is Southampton vs Tottenham and where can I watch live?

    Competition: Premier League

    Venue: St Mary’s

    Date:  Wednesday, 01 January 2020

    Kick-off: 3:00 PM (UK time)

    TV coverage (UK): BT Sport 1

    Last five meetings: Southampton vs Tottenham

    28 September 2019: Tottenham 2-1 Southampton (Premier League)

    09 March 2019: Southampton 2-1 Tottenham (Premier League)

    05 December 2018: Tottenham 3-1 Southampton (Premier League)

    21 January 2018: Southampton 1-1 Tottenham (Premier League)

    26 December 2017: Tottenham 5-2 Southampton (Premier League)

    Aggregate Score: Southampton (LDLWL) 7-12 Tottenham (WLWDW)

    Ones to watch

    Southampton: Stuart Armstrong

    When Southampton went to Stamford Bridge and shocked Chelsea, the attack received a lot of the plaudits. But Stuart Armstrong was excellent.

    The central midfielder operated out wide to help Cedric Soares defensively and it worked to perfection, keeping Callum Hudson-Odoi and Emerson very quiet throughout.

    Armstrong was dropped to the bench for the visit of Crystal Palace at the weekend before being introduced for a 22-minute substitute appearance, but could return to the starting XI as Southampton look to take down another ‘Big Six’ club.

    Key stat: Stuart Armstrong has averaged 1.47 tackles per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season.

    Tottenham: Harry Kane

    Although Dele Alli has received a lot of praise for his performances under Mourinho so far, Harry Kane once again proved just how important he is to Tottenham.

    When Norwich looked like pulling off a massive win it was Kane who stepped up to score the equaliser from the penalty spot, having won the foul himself. It was Kane’s 11th goal of the season and he is very much going to be in the Golden Boot race between now and May.

    The draw with Norwich also marked Kane’s 200th Premier League game and his 136th goal. Only Sergio Aguero (138) and Alan Shearer (145) have a better record in their first double-century in the Premier League.

    Key stat: Harry Kane (13) has been directly involved in more Premier League goals this season than any other Tottenham player.

    Team news

    Southampton

    Michael Obafemi could return for Southampton after missing their 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace and might replace Danny Ings in the starting line up, with the Englishman’s game time being managed in this busy period.

    Shane Long and Yan Valery remain Southampton‘s other absentees and won’t be fit for New Year’s Day.

    Predicted XI: McCarthy; Cedric, Stephens, Bednarek, Bertrand; Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Redmond; Obafemi, Adams.

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    Tottenham

    Tottenham will have Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko available again after they missed the weekend’s match against Norwich through suspension, though Son Heung-min has one more game to serve.

    The pair will likely return to the starting XI with Giovani Lo Celso and Ryan Sessegnon dropping out.

    Predicted XI: Gazzaniga; Aurier, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Ndombele, Winks, Sissoko; Alli, Lucas; Kane.

    Squawka prediction

    Southampton caused an upset against Chelsea on Boxing Day but will face a fiercely motivated Tottenham side looking to close the gap on the top four.

    Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Norwich showed they can still be got at defensively and, even if he is only a substitute, Ings will fancy he chances of getting on the scoresheet.

    But with Winks and Sissoko back in the side, Mourinho’s men will be the better team and should have the quality to see off the Saints.

    Scoreline prediction: Southampton 1-3 Tottenham

    Check out more of Squawka’s Premier League predictions here.

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