Predicting the Outcome of Tottenham's Final 5 Premier League Games
Tottenham's Premier League title hopes appear to be fading with Leicester City now leading by seven points.
If Spurs are to produce a remarkable comeback and seize the title from Claudio Ranieri's hands, they'll need to win virtually all of their remaining games.
Beyond their title aspirations, Tottenham are still on track for their best-ever Premier League season and their highest top-flight finish since 1963.
The final sprint will determine whether Spurs can eclipse the 72-point high-water mark they set in 2012-13 under Andre Villas-Boas.
Regardless of the final outcome, this has been a banner year for Tottenham, and Mauricio Pochettino has built an impressive edifice upon the foundations set down in his first year.
His young team has scored the most goals, conceded the fewest and has a bright future ahead.
Stoke (Away) — Draw
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Tottenham haven't beaten Stoke City since 2014 under the reign of short-lived manager Tim Sherwood.
In that game, Danny Rose scored his first Premier League goal since his famous stunner on debut against Arsenal.
Since then, Stoke have evolved into more of a footballing side, although the 2-2 draw earlier this season proved that the Potters have not entirely shed the combative style that defined their early years in the Premier League.
On Spurs' last trip to Stoke in May 2015, they were humiliated in a 3-0 loss with defender Vlad Chiriches being mercifully dismissed after a disastrous showing.
That defeat came at the end of Tottenham's worst run under Pochettino, when they'd won just once in six league games.
Stoke have been inconsistent since the turn of the year, but they've still collected eight points from their last five matches, proving they aren't entirely on the beach yet.
Spurs will arrive at the Britannia desperate for a win, and a cohesive performance should be enough to blunt the Potters' determination and secure a victory, but this fixture has not been a kind one for Tottenham.
Since Stoke's promotion in 2008, the two sides have met 16 times with Spurs prevailing on just seven occasions to the Potters' six.
West Brom (Home) — Win
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Tony Pulis has been something of a bete noir for Tottenham since arriving in the Premier League.
His Stoke City, Crystal Palace and West Brom sides have always proven tough opposition for Spurs.
The 1-1 draw earlier this season was a genuine test.
Dele Alli gave Spurs an early lead, but they were pegged back and the Baggies were able to lift their game and really push Pochettino's side.
West Brom are comfortably ensconced in "Pulis Territory," sitting 11th and 13 points clear of relegation.
In past seasons, Pulis' ultra-competitive teams have dropped a peg after achieving safety, and underwhelming performances against Norwich and Sunderland suggest a return of that form.
Tottenham should be far too strong for the Baggies, particularly playing at White Hart Lane in front of a crowd dreaming of an unlikely title.
The divergence of quality and enthusiasm should be more than sufficient for Spurs to overcome West Brom and pick up a valuable victory.
Leicester could have all but sealed the title by the time Tottenham take on West Brom, but three points will be hugely significant in holding off the chasing pack and maintaining second place.
Chelsea (Away) — Draw
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As many as nine of the starting lineup that Pochettino sends out at Stamford Bridge were not born the last time Tottenham won there.
In the intervening 26 years, Spurs have endured some excruciating matches away to Chelsea.
This will be as good a chance as Tottenham have had for over a decade to knock off their West London rivals away from home, but Chelsea won't make things easy.
Since the arrival of Guus Hiddink as temporary manager, Chelsea have steadily climbed up the table. Only Leicester have won more points in their last six games.
Tottenham have been the better side in each of the last two meetings, but it will take a top-notch performance to beat Hiddink's Blues.
Chelsea announced the appointment of new manager Antonio Conte on Monday. With him likely watching closely, Chelsea's players will have plenty of motivation despite their upper mid-table position.
Tottenham play with more energy and at a far greater tempo than Chelsea. They could overwhelm in midfield and expose the Blues' back line, but Hiddink will likely assemble a defensive lineup and look to punish Spurs on the break.
This will not be a match for the neutrals.
Southampton (Home) — Win
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Tottenham have a fine recent record against Southampton, having beaten them six of the seven times they've met since Saints returned to the top flight in 2012.
Under Nigel Adkins, Mauricio Pochettino and Ronald Koeman, Southampton have been a challenging but ultimately beatable opponent; only once in that period has a Spurs-Saints match been decided by more than one goal.
That was the reverse fixture this season when Harry Kane and Dele Alli scored first-half goals.
There is a slight but distinct gulf in class between these teams, and Tottenham should be capable of completing the season double over Southampton in the penultimate weekend of the campaign.
Saints ultimately play in a comparable style to Spurs but are a pale reflection.
Both press, but Tottenham press better.
Both build around a physically dominant midfield, but Spurs' is stronger.
If Koeman can fire his troops up like Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, they can certainly spring a surprise, but with Spurs desperate for the points, they should prevail.
Newcastle (Away) — Win
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Tottenham travel to St James' Park on the final day of the season for a fixture that is difficult to predict from this vantage point. With so many games yet to play, the context of this fixture is unclear.
Newcastle could be mathematically safe, relegated or fighting for their survival. Their situation will hugely influence their performance.
Equally, Tottenham could be desperate for a victory that would confirm a coveted league position or have little of significance to play for.
All things being equal, Spurs have a far better team than Newcastle.
Their midfield strength and ability to create large numbers of scoring chances should mean that they are able to score at least one goal, while the hosts' anemic attack (only Watford and Aston Villa have scored fewer goals) against Tottenham's resolute defence is a straightforward equation.
The presence of Andros Townsend in Newcastle's lineup does hint at a classic "narrative" goal, but Spurs should still have enough about them to win on the final day and secure a club-record 73 points in the Premier League.
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