Sunday sees Tottenham take on a Swansea City side hoping to halt their slow slide towards the relegation zone.
Spurs are yet to lose to Swansea in nine Premier League meetings between the sides, winning on seven of those occasions.
But Swansea have scored five goals in their last three meetings with Spurs and under new man Francesco Guidolin, have lost just once in his four matches in charge.
Tottenham
Last weekend’s disappointing FA Cup exit to Crystal Palace was put firmly behind Mauricio Pochettino’s side as they romped home to a 3-0 victory over Fiorentina on Thursday.
Prior to defeat to Pardew’s Palace, Spurs had gone eight games unbeaten and have consistently shown an impressive ability to bounce back from disappointing defeats.
Five losses have been followed up with immediate wins in the next games, the exception being the three draws that came after defeat to Manchester United in the first game of the season.
So Thursday’s Europa League victory will be a massive boost to Tottenham and their title chances, with Swansea the perfect chance to improve on their current second place standing.
Spurs have conceded fewer shots on goal and hit more shots on target than any other team in the division and will expect to carry on that good fortune this Sunday.
Swansea
The Swansea ship has been steadied with new boss Francesco Guidolin, but The Swans still find themselves perched precariously above the relegation zone; three points separating them and Newcastle.
Five points from a possible 12 is unspectacular from the former Udinese boss but they have stopped the rot.
But with a North London double header before crucial clashes against Norwich City, Bournemouth and Aston Villa, Swansea must take maximum points from the teams around them to virtually guarantee them Premier League safety.
They’ve only scored three goals at White Hart Lane in four games and have only scored more than one goal in just two of their last six games – one of them being a 4-2 defeat to Sunderland.
Alberto Paloschi is the man tasked with firing Swansea to safety, but the Italian is still finding his feet in England, with Bafetimbi Gomis’ inconsistent goalscoring a worry for the South Wales side.
Three wins in the last 10 games is relegation form and with just two Premier League wins away all season, the form book is up against them here.
Last time out
4th October 2015 – Swansea 2-2 Tottenham
The Tottenham view: Hugo Lloris, goalkeeper
“We completely deserved this win [against Fiorentina]. We did a good job last week.
“If we compare with last season, we are more mature with the ball. We were very clinical and that’s why I think we go through.
“We showed again today great character and mentality in the team and we need to take it on game-by-game and, hopefully, we will be rewarded at the end of the season.” (The Irish Examiner)
The Swansea view: Alberto Paloschi, striker
“Nothing comes easy in this league, and you cannot give anything less than 100 per cent.
“If we want to move away from the bottom positions, we all have to work hard and then our quality will come through, I’m sure.
“We have a good team here and I’m sure we can move up the table under Mr Guidolin.” (Swansea City)
Prediction
Tottenham were full throttle against Fiorentina in the absence of several key players and it’ll be hard to think of any other outcome than a Tottenham win.
Tottenham 3-1 Swansea
