Article by Chris Mecoy
Kick off 4pm - Sunday 25th August 2013
White Hart Lane prepares for Premier League action for the first time this season today with Spurs up against a very strong Swansea City side. Both sides will be playing just three days after a couple of Europa League maulings, and will be hoping to continue in this vein.
OPENING WEEKEND
Spurs and the Swans had very contrasting opening games last weekend, with Tottenham running out 1-0 winners at Palace, and Michael Laudrup's men being humbled at home by a rampant Van-Persie led Man United.
We should be high on confidence having gone 180 minutes so far this season with a 6-0 aggregate, and it will all depend on which of Swansea's first two matches affected them the most.
TOTTENHAM LINE-UP?
I don't envisage AVB changing too much from last weekend's win at Selhurst Park. I do feel that after his heroics in midweek, Andros Townsend might be given a shot on the right wing (this is, of course, subject to whether he can play due to his summer ban for gambling. I am
pretty sure he is available, but unfortunately can't find any information either way online). Add to this the fact that Nacer Chadli assisted two goals in midweek within ten minutes of coming off the bench, I believe Andre could start with this pair.
Here goes:-
Lloris
Walker Dawson Vertonghen Rose
Capoue Paulinho
Townsend Dembele Chadli
Soldado
I firmly believe Sandro and Kaboul will be gradually re-introduced to the team over the next few weeks.
KEY MEN
TOTTENHAM - JAN VERTONGHEN
If SuperJan does in fact start this game, I see him playing a huge part in Tottenham's game this afternoon. His defensive nous will be required to keep Swansea's dangerous attack quiet, and getting forward, Vertonghen is second to none in terms of getting in the right areas. Also, he scored against the Swans at both White Hart Lane and the Liberty Stadium last season, so seems to enjoy playing against them.
SWANSEA - MICHU
It's got to be, hasn't it? Undoubtedly last season's best signing in the Premier League, Michu is one of those players who can make something out of nothing. I always enjoy watching him, and would like him to score in 36 league games a season. He is probably going to be deployed in the hole this season, behind Bony (when he eventually starts a game) and will be able to link up play on Sunday as well as getting on the end of Swansea's inevitable passing moves. A very dangerous player indeed.
PREDICTION
As good as Swansea are, and as much as I enjoy watching them play, I think they will come up short today. The reason? Quite simply because Tottenham are a better team. Despite all the focus being on the Welsh fella, and the turncoat Brazilian....so-and-so, Spurs have really got down to business on the pitch. Swansea will provide the greatest test of our new look side this season, but I think Spurs will go into the North London derby next weekend, boasting a 100% record and a juicy six points in the Premiership already.
However, as this is Tottenham 'my poor heart' Hotspur, I do expect some frayed nerves along the way. A 2-0 lead, cut in half midway through the second half, only for a late goal to calm us down for the final few minutes.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3-1 SWANSEA CITY
COME ON YOU SPURS!!
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suggest lineup for Thursday
ReplyDeleteFriedel
Naughton, Capoue, Fryers, BAE
Sandro, Carroll
Lennon, Sigurdsson, Holtby
Defoe or Kane or Lamela