Stoke have the unenviable task of halting title chasing Tottenham’s 11 match unbeaten run at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday.
The Potters have recovered superbly from a run of four consecutive defeats with two wins on the trot. Tony Pulis’ side saw their season almost implode with the Europa League seemingly taking it’s toll on a Stoke squad hit hard by fatigue. However with their exploits on the continent becoming less frequent so close to Christmas they’ve been able to recover and it’s shown in their last few league games. Pulis’ men followed up an impressive win at Blackburn a fortnight ago with a hard fought away victory at Everton with Robert Huth the unlikely match winner at Goodison Park. The Potters seem to have recovered their physical vigour and were back to their bullying best on Merseyside as they expertly protected their slender lead for much of the game. Peter Crouch’s displays in the last few weeks has seen him start to justify his £10 million price tag whilst Ryan Shawcross has been a tower of strength at the back. Their recent run of positive results, which has seen them rise to eight in the Premier League table, could be undermined this week as in-form Tottenham come to town.
Spurs have been unstoppable since their 5-1 home defeat at the hands of league leaders Manchester City and six wins in a row has seen Harry Redknapp’s side fly into third place. Their form over the last couple of months has been nothing short of astonishing, as they’ve remained unbeaten 11 games winning 10 of those and collecting 31 points from a possible 33. Whilst many predicted Tottenham to be in or around the top four at this point in the season their current run has turned them into genuine title contenders. They blew away Bolton at White Hart Lane last week with Emmanuel Adebayor, Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon all turning in scintillating displays in attack. The quartet have forged a superb understanding in the final third with Adebayor, in particular, providing Spurs with the target man they’ve craved for the last few years. Scott Parker has also added some steel to the midfield to compliment the talents of Modric whilst Rafael Van Der Vaart has stepped up his game this season. Redknapp will be expecting his side to go out and produce more of the same against Stoke on Sunday as they chase down the two Manchester clubs sitting in front of them.
Stoke – 8th
Last Five: Won 1-0 v Everton (A), Won 3-1 v Blackburn (H), Lost 3-2 v QPR (H) Lost 5-0 v Bolton (A), Lost 3-1 v Newcastle (H)
Potential Starting X11: 1. A. Begovic 28. A. Wilkinson 17. R. Shawcross [C] 4. Robert Huth 39. J. Woodgate 16. J. Pennant 6. G. Whelan 24. R. Delap 24. M. Etherington 19. J. Walters 25. P. Crouch*
Injury News: Pulis will be without goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen for the visit of Tottenham on Sunday.
Key Player: Peter Crouch
The former Tottenham striker plays against his former club for the first time in the Premier League since his summer move to the Potteries. Crouch has come into form at just the right time for Stoke with his performances in the last few games paying off a large chunk of his £10 million transfer fee. He’ll be determined to score the goals to end Spurs’ impressive run of form and send his side soaring towards a European place.
Match Fact: Stoke have beaten Tottenham only once in three Premier League meetings since their promotion from the Championship in 2008
Tottenham – 3rd
Last Five: Won 3-0 v Bolton (H), Won 3-1 v West Brom, Won 2-0 v Aston Villa (A), Won 3-1 v Fulham (A), Won 3-1 v QPR (H
Potential Starting X11: 24. B. Friedel 28. K. Walker 26. L. King [C] 4. Y. Kaboul 32. B. Assou Ekotto 7. A. Lennon 14. L. Modric 8. S. Parker 3. G. Bale 18. J. Defoe 10. E. Adebayor*
Injury News: Redknapp is still without key players Niko Kranjcar, Michael Dawson and Tom Huddlestone
Key Player: Gareth Bale
Who else for Tottenham this season? The Welsh wing wizard has been in sublime form with his forways up the Spur’s left flank proving devastating to teams up and down the Premier League. Bale possesses burning pace, power and an unbelievable left foot that allows him to leave full backs for dead and provide near perfect balls into the box for his team mates. His dominance on the wing will be vital to the North London side’s chances of coming away from the Britannia Stadium with all three points.
Match Fact: Tottenham enjoy their visits to the Potteries winning on two of the last three at Stoke and emerging victorious from four of the six meetings home and away.
Last Time at the Britannia Stadium
Premier League 9 April 2011
Tottenham 3-2 Stoke
Crouch (11, 34) Modric (18)
Etherington (27) Jones (41)
Attendance: 32,702
Referee: Kevin Friend
PREDICTION
Stoke have broken out of their recent slump with two superb wins in consecutive games but come up against a Totteham side in blistering form. Spurs are simply unbeatable at the moment and should be considered genuine challengers for the title should they continue their unbeaten run during the festive period. The should come out on top at the Britannia Stadium despite the Potters being formidable on home turf.
Score: 1-3
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