Article by Johnny Murwill2 weeks of International football providing little but a predictable concoction of stress and negativity, football fans around the country are finally able to look forward to a return of Premier League action this weekend. Following the disappointing performance and loss to Arsenal in the North London Derby, Tottenham Hotspur now have the opportunity to erase those memories when they welcome Norwich City to White Hart Lane.
While the loss to Arsenal was the first of Spurs’ campaign, Norwich recorded their first win of the season with a 1-0 win over Southampton at home. A fixture that has frustrated Spurs in recent years, Norwich have claimed 4 points from their last 2 visits to White Hart Lane. Following a performance that lacked incision and cutting edge, pressure will be on Tottenham’s attackers to create more chances for Roberto Soldado, who has cut a frustrated figure at times so far. Emphasis will be placed on Christian Eriksen and Eric Lamela to provide this creativity, on what could be their home debuts.
Possible Line-Ups
With many players having travelled long distances during the International break, it will be interesting to see if AVB rests players such as Paulinho. Lamela and Eriksen could be handed their first starts, while Norwich’s Gary Hooper could also start.
Lloris
Walker Dawson Vertonghen Rose
Paulinho Dembele
Lamela Eriksen Chadli
Soldado
Key Battles
Dawson v Van Wolfswinkel
How Spurs handle the aerial threat of Norwich’s new striker Ricky Van Wolfswinkel will be key. With Younes Kaboul’s fitness still in doubt, it could be down to Michael Dawson to contain Norwich’s danger man.
Roberto Soldado v Sebastian Bassong
While he has struggled to find clear-cut chances, Soldado’s movement hinted of what is to come from Spurs’ main striker. If Tottenham’s midfield is finally able to create some real goal scoring opportunities for the Spanish forward, it could prove to be a tricky for Norwich’s Sebastian Bassong and co.
Kick-off Saturday, 14th September 15:00
Last Season Tottenham Hotspur 1 – 1
Referee Lee Mason
Odds H 4/9 D 7/2 A 6/1
Premier League Form Guide
Tottenham Hotspur: L W W W W D
Norwich City: W L D W W L
Paulinho and Lamela only got back from America on Thursday so doubt if they will start, so I´d go with -
ReplyDeleteLloris
Walker – Kaboul – Vertonghen – Rose
Sandro – Dembele
Townsend – Eriksen – Chadli
Soldado
With Freidal, Chiriches (work permit allowing) Dawson, Holtby, Lamela, Defoe and Kane on the bench more than good enough to beat the No Witches.
All those seven to start on Thursday against Tromso with four others including Naughton, Fryers plus Lennon and Siggy if they have recovered.