Southampton vs Tottenham Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Tottenham will look to put an end to their five-game winless run in all competitions as they take on bottom-side Southampton on Sunday.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 15th December, 2024: UK – 7:00pm / US ET – 2:00pm / US PT – 11:00am
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Peacock Premium
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Premier League on Peacock
Southampton Preview: Basement-dwellers
Southampton are cut adrift at the bottom of the Premier League table with Russell Martin's side having lost 12 of their 15 Premier League games so far, with just one victory - a 1-0 win over Everton in early November - in that stretch.
The Saints are in the midst of a difficult fixture run though, as they take on league-leaders Liverpool after this fixture while they have faced both Chelsea and Aston Villa of late.
Tottenham Preview: Ange doubts
Although he still has the backing of most Tottenham fans, some questions are starting to be asked of Ange Postecoglou's unwavering tactical approach, with their inability to hold on to a lead against Chelsea last weekend exposing some of the pitfalls of his attacking philosophy.
A 1-1 draw at Rangers in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday means it is no wins in five competitive fixtures now for the north London side, and just victory win in the last eight.
Southampton Team News: Bednarek fit
Aaron Ramsdale is edging closer to a return but this weekend will come too soon for the Saints number one, while captain Jack Stephens is still suspended amongst five other injury absentees.
In more positive news, key defender Jan Bednarek is fit, and is likely to start, while Paul Onuachu has likewise recovered from a recent knock.
Predicted XI (5-4-1): Lumley; Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Bednarek, Manning; Dibling, Fernandes, Downes, Armstrong; Archer
Unavailable: Ramsdale (Injured), Bazunu (Injured), Stephens (Suspended), Smallbone (Injured), Lallana (Injured), Larios (Injured), Stewart (Injured)
Questionable:
Tottenham Team News: Light in defence
The defensive injuries run deep at Spurs with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven both suffering re-injuries against Chelsea, while backup Ben Davies is also out.
Yves Bissouma is suspended due to a yellow card accumulation, Rodrigo Bentancur continues to serve his own domestic ban and attackers Richarlison and Wilson Odobert are out injured.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Forster; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Udogie; Kulusevski, Sarr, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son
Unavailable: Vicario (Injured), Romero (Injured), Van de Ven (Injured), Davies (Injured), Bissouma (Suspended), Bentancur (Suspended), Richarlison (Injured), Odobert (Injured)
Questionable:
Southampton vs Tottenham Prediction
If Southampton are to have any joy in their current tricky run of fixtures, it could be against a shaky Spurs side who are missing three senior defenders. Indeed, the visitors have been highly vulnerable at the back in the absence of their preferred pairing, and with Bissouma also missing in midfield this weekend, they will be missing some much-needed protection in front of the back four.
On the flip side, Tottenham have scored in 17 of their last 19 competitive fixtures, and it would be a huge surprise if they didn't breach a Southampton backline that are yet to record a clean sheet this season.
Southampton vs Tottenham Tip: Both teams to score
