Tottenham Hotspur, who have been eradicated from the FA Cup final week, will face London rivals Brentford in a Premier League match on Wednesday.
Whereas Brentford loved their mid-season break, Tottenham suffered a house defeat in opposition to Manchester Metropolis of their final recreation and at the moment are aiming for his or her first league victory of 2024.
Match Preview
Tottenham Hotspur had a profitable streak in opposition to Brentford at their house floor, however within the FA Cup tie final week, they have been unable to keep up their document and ended up dropping to Manchester Metropolis.
The late purpose by Nathan Ake, which was contested by many, resulted in a victory for the defending champions. This loss implies that Ange Postecoglou’s workforce can now solely give attention to the Premier League for the rest of the season, as their hopes of profitable silverware up to now 16 years have been dashed.
Tottenham’s main goal now could be to remain in rivalry for a top-four end and fend off challengers reminiscent of Manchester United, who held them to a 2-2 draw earlier this month.
In that match, Tottenham fell behind twice however managed to equalize every time because of targets from Richarlison and Rodrigo Bentancur. Their most up-to-date league victory dates again to New Yr’s Eve.
Regardless of being shut out by Manchester Metropolis of their earlier match, Tottenham has managed to attain in every of their final 33 Premier League video games, which is their longest scoring streak within the league’s historical past. Additionally it is the fourth-best scoring run by any workforce within the Premier League period.
Of their final 9 league encounters in opposition to Brentford, Tottenham has misplaced solely as soon as, though that defeat did happen within the corresponding fixture final season.
Brentford, after dropping their first Premier League assembly with Tottenham in late 2021, have remained unbeaten of their final 4 encounters, together with a 3-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Might.
Much like their opponents, Brentford was just lately knocked out of the FA Cup. After drawing 1-1 in opposition to Wolverhampton Wanderers of their preliminary match, they misplaced the replay and their cup run got here to an finish.
Their star participant, Ivan Toney, returned from a prolonged suspension to captain the workforce of their final league recreation in opposition to Nottingham Forest.
The victory ended a five-match dropping streak for Brentford, with Toney scoring the opening purpose and Ben Mee and Neal Maupay including extra targets within the second half.
Nonetheless, Brentford has misplaced all of their final 4 away video games within the Premier League and their earlier two London derbies, struggling defeats to Arsenal and Crystal Palace.
With Brentford nonetheless hovering dangerously near the relegation zone, supervisor Thomas Frank will probably be keen to interrupt each dropping streaks by defeating Tottenham on Wednesday.
Workforce Information
Tottenham will probably be with out three key gamers – Son Heung-min, who’s on Asian Cup obligation with South Korea, and midfielders Pape Sarr and Yves Bissouma, who’re collaborating within the Africa Cup of Nations.
Alejo Veliz, Manor Solomon, and Giovani Lo Celso are additionally sidelined resulting from accidents. Nonetheless, James Maddison made a substitute look final week after recovering from an ankle damage sustained in November. Ben Davies has additionally returned to the squad.
Richarlison, who has been in kind currently with six targets in his final six Premier League matches, is anticipated to steer the Tottenham assault. Eight of his ten purpose involvements this season have are available his final seven house matches.
Brentford will depend on Ivan Toney, who scored on his return to motion in opposition to Nottingham Forest.
Sergio Reguilon, who just lately joined Brentford on mortgage, is not going to be eligible to play in opposition to his dad or mum membership. Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey, Bryan Mbeumo, Kevin Schade, and Christian Norgaard are among the many different gamers unavailable resulting from accidents or worldwide obligation.
Regardless of reportedly securing the signing of Antonio Nusa from Membership Brugge, Brentford must wait till subsequent season to have him of their squad as he’ll stay on mortgage at his former membership for the remainder of this season.
Attainable Beginning Lineups
Tottenham Hotspur: (4-2-3-1)
Vicario;
Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie;
Hojbjerg, Bentancur;
Johnson, Kulusevski, Werner;
Richarlison
Brentford: (3-5-2)
Flekken;
Collins, Pinnock, Mee;
Roerslev, Janelt, Jensen, Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter;
Toney, Maupay
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Brentford
Though the personnel could also be related, Tottenham is anticipated to bounce again from their defeat in opposition to Manchester Metropolis and safe a victory in opposition to Brentford.
Brentford has struggled away from house, and Tottenham ought to capitalize on that to assert all three factors.