Tottenham vs. Aston Villa: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
A home match against a managerless team propping up the Premier League table has all the hallmarks of a classic Tottenham slip.
For decades, this kind of fixture has brought out the worst in Spurs sides.
Time and again, they've found a way to lose the matches that prove decisive of their final league position.
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Of course, there have been exceptions like the famous 9-1 win over Wigan, but it is worth remembering that the next home match was a 1-0 defeat to Wolves.
Stoke City, Newcastle and even Wigan have come to the Lane as relegation fodder only to stun their hosts.
Mauricio Pochettino's players have an opportunity to prove themselves more resilient than many of their predecessors in the Lilywhite.
The termination of head coach Tim Sherwood has deflated the seeming inevitability of a victory for the visitors but Tottenham must not take their task too lightly.
The seemingly imminent appointment of Remi Garde as Sherwood's replacement, according to BBC Sport, should come too late to influence this match.
Villa are on a five-game losing streak and have lost their last six Premier League matches while Spurs are unbeaten in the division since the opening day.
Team News
Villa may be without captain Micah Richards due to his pending FA charge, while fellow veteran defender Joleon Lescott is expected to return after recovering from injury.
Tottenham's injury list remains lamentably long, with Heung-Min Son and Nacer Chadli among the absentees.
Ryan Mason was declared fit last week but is yet to return to action.
Predicted Lineups and Formations
Aston Villa
Goalkeeper—Guzan
Defence—Hutton, Clark, Lescott, Amavi
Midfield—Sanchez, Westwood, Bacuna
Attack—Agbonlahor, Gestede, Grealish
Tottenham
Goalkeeper—Lloris
Defence—Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose
Midfield—Dier, Alli, Dembele, Lamela, Eriksen
Attack—Kane
Player to Watch per side
Attacking full-back Jordan Amavi and centre-forward Rudy Gestede will be vital to Villa's hopes, but ultimately it will be Brad Guzan's performance in goal that will be decisive.
If Guzan and Villa can keep Spurs at bay, frustration could set in.
That will realistically be their best hope of springing an upset.
Spurs will be hoping Harry Kane's return to the scoresheet against Bournemouth signals a sustained improvement in his goal return.
Their entire season rests on his ability to regularly trouble the scorekeepers, particularly with Son and Chadli absent through injury.
He'll undoubtedly get chances to score. The key question will be whether he can take them.
Key Battle
If the visitors hope to upset expectations at White Hart Lane, they'll need to at least hold their own in the midfield.
This means the clash between midfield enforcers Carlos Sanchez and Eric Dier will be key.
Sanchez was sent off in this fixture last season, and any repeat of that will likely consign his team to a heavy defeat.
Form Lines
Spurs
Monaco 1-1 Tottenham
Swansea 2-2 Tottenham
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Anderlecht 2-1 Tottenham
Bournemouth 1-5 Tottenham
Villa
Liverpool 3-2 Villa
Villa 0-1 Stoke
Chelsea 2-0 Villa
Villa 1-2 Swansea
Southampton 2-1 Villa
Live Stream, TV Info
UK—Sky Sports 1/HD UK, 8 p.m.
USA—NBCSN, 3 p.m. Eastern/Noon Western
Odds
Villa are exceptionally long odds in this match with bookmakers making them 7/1 to win.
Tottenham are 2/5 at home which gives little value.
The draw, at 3/1, is easily the best bet available on this match.
