Tottenham Hotspur will host Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, looking to get their stuttering campaign back on track.
After an impressive start to the season, Tottenham Hotspur are now 11th in the Premier League table, and they have picked up just one win from their last six top-flight matches ahead of the home game vs Liverpool on Saturday.
The North Londoners will be hoping to secure European qualification for next season, and they need to win these games. On the other hand, Liverpool are struggling as well. The Reds have picked up just two wins from their last six Premier League matches.
The reigning Premier League champions are seventh in the top-flight table, and they were expected to fight for the league title. However, Liverpool have an impressive record against Tottenham, but this will be a difficult outing for them. They have multiple injury problems as well.
Both teams will be desperate for a victory here, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top. Neither side is in impressive form right now, and this is likely to be an evenly matched contest. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Tottenham Hotspur
James Maddison and Yves Bissouma are unavailable due to long-term knee injuries. Dejan Kulusevski is also sidelined with a knee problem. Dominic Solanke and Destiny Udogie are struggling as well. Meanwhile, Pape Mattar Sarr has left the Tottenham squad to participate with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations
Tottenham Hotspur will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Liverpool, with Guglielmo Vicario in goal. Pedro Porro and Djed Spence will start as the full-backs. They will look to help out defensively and contribute in the final third as well. Meanwhile, Cristian Romero will pair up alongside Micky van de Ven at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Joao Palhinha will add defensive cover and physicality to the side alongside Rodrigo Bentancur. They will look to keep things tight in the middle of the park.Xavi Simons will start in the attacking midfield role, and he will look to link the midfield with the attack.
The Dutchman will look to open up opportunities for his teammates and find the back of the net. Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison will add pace, flair, and unpredictability from the flanks. Finally, Randal Kolo Muani will lead the line for Tottenham vs Liverpool on Saturday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Palhinha; Kudus, Simons, Richarlison; Kolo Muani
Liverpool
Arne Slot will be without Giovanni Leoni, Wataru End, Joe Gomez, and Cody Gakpo this week. However, there is some good news, as Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring) and Dominik Szoboszlai are fit and available to take on Tottenham. Additionally, Conor Bradley has served a suspension.
Liverpool are likely to shape up in a 4-3-1-2 formation vs Tottenham Hotspur, with Alisson Becker in goal. Jeremie Frimpong and Andrew Robertson will start as the full-backs. They will look to help out at both ends of the pitch. Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate will start alongside Virgil van Dijk in the central defensive partnership.
As for the midfield unit, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, and Dominik Szoboszlai will start in the middle of the park. They will look to control the game from the deep and add defensive cover to the side.
Florian Wirtz will start as the attacking midfielder here. He will look to add goals and creativity to the side. Finally, Alexander Isak will lead the line for Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur alongside Hugo Ekitike on Saturday.
Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Wirtz; Isak, Ekitike
Key stats
Liverpool are undefeated in 26 of their last 29 matches against Tottenham.
Liverpool have won six of their last eight matches against Tottenham in all competitions.
Four of the last six matches between these two teams have seen both of them get on the scoresheet.
Tottenham are without a win in five of their last six Premier League matches, and Liverpool are without a win in four of their last six Premier League matches.
Player to Watch
Hugo Ekitike
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The Liverpool striker has been excellent since joining the club, and he is our key player to watch out for. Liverpool will depend on him to deliver in the final third. Ekitike will look to link up with his teammates and open up opportunities in the final third and find the back of the net as well.
Liverpool might need to outscore Tottenham to win this game. They have been quite vulnerable defensively, and the French international will play a key role for them. So, it is no wonder that Ekitike is one of our FPL captaincy candidates for Gameweek 17. It will be interesting to see if he can produce a defining performance and get his team across the line.
Prediction
Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Liverpool
Neither side will want to end up with a defeat here, and this is going to be a close contest. Both teams are under a lot of pressure. Tottenham and Liverpool have been vulnerable defensively, and this is likely to be an open contest with plenty of chances on offer.
Both teams are likely to get on the scoresheet, and a high-scoring game is likely. However, it will be difficult to separate the two teams on current form. They are likely to cancel each other out. A goal-scoring draw is very likely.