West Brom vs. Tottenham: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
West Bromwich Albion will look to make it three unbeaten matches in a row against London clubs when they host Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
In their last home fixture two weeks ago, West Brom beat Tottenham's north London rivals Arsenal 2-1. Last week a much-improved second-half performance saw them secure a point away at West Ham United.
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Now Pulis will hope to secure a win that, depending on results elsewhere, could see them end the weekend in the Premier League's top half. The Baggies boss is well aware this will be easier said than done, however, praising the "outstanding players" his side are set to face.
"They're very organised, very disciplined, they play through the pitch quickly," Pulis added of Spurs in his pre-match press conference, per his club's official YouTube channel.
Pulis' counterpart Mauricio Pochettino is grateful to have had a whole week to prepare for West Brom; the break is a rare luxury during a busy time of the season.
"We’re all happy because the players needed to rest. It’s been good for our mental levels," he told his club's website. "It’s been tough to compete in every game, tough games as well, over the last few weeks."
Spurs currently sit fifth in the table and know three points would be useful if they are to keep in touch with the league's pace-setters. After three successive fixtures against London clubs themselves, they will be desperate to avoid a slip-up as they again head out of the capital.
Date: Saturday, December 5
Time: 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET
Venue: The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, England
TV Info: No live UK broadcast but extended highlights from 10 p.m. on Sky Sports 1/NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. only)
Live Stream: No live UK stream/NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. only)
Form Lines
| West Bromwich Albion | Tottenham Hotspur |
| Premier League, November 29: West Ham United (A)—Draw: 1-1 | Premier League, November 29: Chelsea (H)—Draw: 0-0 |
| Premier League, November 21: Arsenal (H)—Win: 2-1 | Europa League, November 26: Qarabag (A)—Win: 0-1 |
| Premier League, November 7: Manchester United (A)—Loss: 2-0 | Premier League, November 22: West Ham United (H)—Win: 4-1 |
| Premier League, October 31: Leicester City (H)—Loss: 2-3 | Premier League, November 8: Arsenal (A)—Draw: 1-1 |
| Premier League, October 24: Norwich City (A)—Win: 0-1 | Europa League, November 5: Anderlecht (H)—Win: 2-1 |
Team News
"Most of them are okay, we've got one or two little knocks or niggles but most of the lads are fine."
So said Pulis of an almost fully fit squad he has to choose from. With long-term absentee Ben Foster still out, a slight foot problem Jonny Evans is suffering is among the only new concerns.
Midfielder Claudio Yacob is suspended, but Chris Brunt is available after his own ban.
Tottenham have Dele Alli back, but Ryan Mason misses out after suffering an ankle injury last week. Nabil Bentaleb and Nacer Chadli are close to respective returns after their own problems, but Alex Pritchard's comeback is a little way off yet.
Predicted Lineups
With Foster still out it will be Boaz Myhill keeping his place in goal for West Brom.
In defence, the available again Brunt is set to return to left-back, allowing Evans to be deployed centrally (as long as his foot issue do not prove too restrictive). Craig Dawson and Jonas Olsson—who made an excellent goal-denying block against West Ham last week—should return at right- and centre-back, respectively.
The absence of Yacob in central midfield could be addressed by James Morrison partnering with Darren Fletcher. James McClean should continue in left midfield. Out right, it is likely a toss-up between Stephane Sessegnon and Callum McManaman.
Pulis may be tempted to call on Tottenham summer transfer target Saido Berahino to partner Salomon Rondon up front. The success with which Rickie Lambert helped unsettle the West Ham defence after his half-time introduction—his 50th-minute deflected shooting effort grabbing the Baggies a point—may have earned him a shot alongside the Venezuelan, though.
Tottenham's regular back five will almost certainly remain unchanged again. Right-back Kyle Walker and centre-back Jan Vertonghen are both one yellow card away from suspension, per the Football Association, so that could soon change.
Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele are just about a certainty to continue in central midfield, Alli returning in front of them to replace the injured Mason.
Harry Kane will lead the line with Christian Eriksen and Heung-Min Son likely to be selected in support either side of Alli.
West Bromwich Albion Player to Watch: Saido Berahino
Berahino being brought up in Pulis' pre-match press conference was inevitable. The striker is struggling for form and minutes compared to the highs of 2014-15. This week his club comes up against the team who tried to sign him in the summer.
Many in West Brom circles will put Berahino's underwhelming campaign so far down to having his head turned by the north Londoners.
Publicly at least, Pulis has struck a sympathetic if firm note in regard to his underperforming young player. He is not a manager to be messed around with, but he is also well aware of just what a difference the quick, potentially lethal attacker is capable of making for his team (even accounting for the manager's preference for a more pragmatic, less showy style).
That may not be in the form of a starting place again just yet. But Pulis may view the visit of Berahino's would-be suitors as an ideal opportunity to, at some point during the afternoon, test how committed his charge is to the Baggies' cause.
Tottenham Hotspur Player to Watch: Dele Alli
Suspended for Chelsea last week, it is possible Alli would not have made too much of a difference even if available. He worked as hard as anyone in their Europa League trip to Qarabag three days earlier and may too have suffered from the same spark-diminishing tiredness (albeit the team commendably only began to puff late on).
Nonetheless, with due respect to a typically hard-working effort put in by his replacement Mason out right, the restoration of the vital and confident Alli should provide a welcome boost for Tottenham.
The 19-year-old's energetic performances have had an almost contagious quality about them. His forward runs and positive passing demanding his team-mates keep up, his willingness to get back and pitch in setting an example as good as any.
Pochettino will be asking for more of the same from Alli as Spurs look to replicate their strong start from the last time they visited the Hawthorns back in January. Spurs went two up within 15 minutes, going on to win 3-0. They are looking an even stronger proposition now thanks to the addition of players like Alli.
Key Battle: Concentration Game
In order to keep the other team out, concentration and focus is just about a must in every match. That these attributes are not afforded the tenet status they warrant goes some way to explaining the underwhelming defending of many Premier League sides these days.
Tottenham have been one of the few, somewhat surprising exceptions here this season (save for a rough opening month). Heading into the weekend, they are the division's second-stingiest defence, their 11 goals conceded now bettered only by Manchester United.
Spurs' latest clean sheet at home to Chelsea was well-earned, but there were reminders within it of why they must continue to work at maintaining their focus (given Pochettino's frequent shouts for it from the sideline, it is unlikely he will let them rest on their laurels here).
Leading the Blues' attack, the slippery Eden Hazard found spaces in between Spurs' defenders, particularly at crossing situations. A first-half header and second-half volley almost punished them, Lloris stopping the latter with a particularly fine save.
Hazard's smaller stature may have accounted for him being deemed a less serious menace from these situations. Whether the case or not then, Spurs taking greater responsibility for the movement of West Brom's attackers—be it Lambert, Rondon or whoever—would go some way to negating the possibility of being hurt by them.
The greater concern for West Brom is not so much their concentration at crossing and aerial situations, but rather their ability to maintain their shape when confronted by good movement and quick passing.
Manuel Lanzini and Mauro Zarate were among the Hammers to lure the Baggies defenders out of position last week, resulting in some almost costly breakdowns of organisation. The difficulty of deciding between when to engage an opponent and when to hold the line will almost certainly be tested again by the likes of Eriksen and Kane on Saturday.
Odds (via Odds Shark)
West Brom win: 18-5
Tottenham win: 5-6
Draw: 5-2
