Sunday’s showdown in Bournemouth has gone under the radar due to the two derby matches, but for Eddie Howe’s side, they’ll be looking to put last weekend’s 5-1 mauling at the hands of Manchester City firmly behind them.
With just five points from their last six games, last season’s Championship winners are having a tough time of late and sit just outside the relegation zone.
For Tottenham, they may be unbeaten in eight league games, but they’ve drawn their last three in the Premier League and tasted defeat against Anderlecht on Thursday night.
Spurs have certainly become tough to beat, but they’re also struggling to win games, which needs to change if they want to keep pace with the teams above them.
Bournemouth
The Cherries have already been dealt a massive blow having lost Max Gradel, Tyrone Mings and top scorer Callum Wilson for the rest of the season. In particular, to lose key men Gradel and Wilson so early on has massively dented Bournemouth’s chances of a second term in the top flight.
Having scored five goals in Bournemouth’s first seven games before rupturing his cruciate ligament, Wilson’s presence up front has been missed, with Bournemouth’s attack a lot lighter without him and Gradel in the starting eleven.
Experienced striker Glenn Murray has been leading the line since then and with two goals in his last two games, the former Crystal Palace man will be confident in making it three in three on Sunday afternoon.
Matt Richie came into the Premier League having made the most assists in the Championship last season, so the pressure is really on for the Scotsman to be delivering the goods now, having added just one goal and one assist so far this campaign.
Eddie Howe’s team have also only kept one clean sheet in the league – a 2-0 win against Sunderland, however, against a Tottenham team that have scored more than one goal in a league match on only three occasions, they are well within a shout of getting something from the game.
Tottenham
Thursday’s disappointing defeat to Anderlecht means it’s now four games without a win for Tottenham.
Despite having the joint-best defensive record in the league, Spurs are struggling at the other end of the pitch. Harry Kane has lost that goalscoring touch and with injuries in wide areas, Spurs’ young squad is being stretched to its limits.
Christian Eriksen was once again on the scoresheet against Anderlecht which will be pleasing to Mauricio Pochettino, but what won’t be pleasing to him is the lack of chances Spurs created in Belgium.
Erik Lamela has gone off the boil and Andros Townsend gave a pretty anonymous showing, which is worrying when those two will most likely start at Dean Court.
Ben Davies gave a good account of himself, but Kieran Trippier was at fault for Anderlecht’s winner, allowing Frank Acheampong to run beyond him to cut the ball back for Stefano Okaka to slot home. It’s likely Kyle Walker and Danny Rose will return to the fold.
Eric Dier has returned from his ban and will go straight into the heart of midfield again, with either Dele Alli or Mousa Dembele as company.
Prediction: Bournemouth 0-1 Tottenham
