On the back of impressive wins respectively, Tottenham entertain Norwich on Boxing Day looking for some late festive cheer by hanging onto fourth place.
The Canaries did Spurs a massive favour in pulling off one of the shocks of the season by beating Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford, but this weekend, will only be looking to hurt Spurs in their Champions League ambitions and could pull off two impressive victories in a row on the road.
Norwich need three points to steer away from the clubs below them in the table and history may be on their side; Spurs have a poor recent record against Alex Neil’s side, with just the one win in their last six meetings.
Tottenham
A solid 2-0 win perhaps wasn’t expected against Southampton, but The Saints’ wastefulness up front played right into Tottenham’s hands.
With a two-goal lead to take into the break, the second half was just a containment job for Spurs, a job which the likes of Eric Dier, Mousa Dembele and the Belgian centre backs did superbly.
Dembele in particular was outstanding in a man of the match performance and the 28-year-old’s resurgence this season has made him one of the most important players at Mauricio Pochettino’s disposal.
His strength and agility was sorely lacking against Newcastle and the Belgian is playing the best football of his career under the Argentine.
Harry Kane scored his first goal in a month and with Spurs starting to welcome back the likes of Nacer Chadli, Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb to first team action, the depth in the squad has returned once again over a crucial Christmas period, despite Clinton N’Jie missing after knee injury.
It was also a first clean sheet in seven league games and the worst thing for Spurs to do would be to fall back into complacency that saw points dropped against West Brom and Newcastle.
With goal difference separating three teams from fourth place, Spurs can’t afford any immediate slip ups and must keep up the pressure, especially with the likes of Watford, Crystal Palace and even an out of form Manchester United side capable of stringing together a good run of results.
Norwich
Norwich haven’t found life back in the Premier League easygoing, but they certainly made light work of a poor Man United side, that could spell the end of Louis van Gaal’s reign at Old Trafford.
And it’s a warning Tottenham need to heed if they’re to stop The Canaries soaring to all three points.
With exciting wingers Nathan Redmond and Robbie Brady, Norwich can certainly create chances, but they have struggled to convert them.
Cameron Jerome bagged a goal and assist last Saturday, but that was only his third goal in 17 games this season and 15th in 129 Premier League games.
Norwich have found the net on 20 occasions, but they lack a reliable striker.
Jerome works hard and Norwich do move the ball around fairly well, but for all their talent in wide areas and with Wes Hoolahan and Jonny Howson creative in midfield, a lack of goals will draw Norwich back towards the relegation zone.
As will their frequency in conceding goals.
Norwich have only kept one clean sheet in the Premier League all season and have conceded 17 times in their last 10 games.
They have only lost two of their last six games however which suggests they are slowly showing signs of consistency, but it may not be enough to come away from north London with a win.
Last time out
23rd February 2014 – Norwich 1-0 Tottenham
The Tottenham view: Jan Vertonghen, defender
“I’m sure teams don’t look forward to playing at White Hart Lane anyway, but we gave it away too easily against Newcastle.
“In the dressing room afterwards, we knew it was a one-off and that’s what we wanted to show to everyone on the outside as well, it was a one-off.
“We were surprised we lost. It happened but the focus is back and we showed that at Southampton. Now we look to the next game.” (Tottenham Hotspur)
The Norwich view: Russell Martin, defender
“My old man used to take me to White Hart Lane and tell me: ‘You’ll play here one day’ – he wanted me to play for Spurs but that’s not happened.
“I love it there, love playing there. It’s a great atmosphere and we’ve played well when we’ve gone there in the past, so we need to do that again.
“Boxing Day adds its own thing too. It’s special for fans – it always was when I when I used to watch.” (Eastern Daily Press)
Prediction
Spurs should make it two wins in a row as despite Norwich’s impressive exploits last weekend, they’re still incredibly weak at the back.
Tottenham 3-0 Norwich
