Just two points separate eighth-place Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley in eleventh as the two teams prepare to go head-to-head on Saturday.
Spurs come into this game on the back of their first loss under new boss Jose Mourinho, while Burnley have slipped down the table following consecutive defeats.
Following a number of promising displays, Spurs were outclassed by Manchester United in their previous match. A sublime Dele Alli goal wasn’t enough to prevent Man Utd claiming all three points at Old Trafford, as Marcus Rashford’s brace handed Spurs their first defeat in five games from the Premier League.
Mourinho has partially steadied the ship since taking over from Mauricio Pochettino, but it’s clear that the team still has a long way to go in order to challenge for a top-four spot.
Tottenham haven’t found it difficult to score goals in recent weeks. Alli has scored in his last three games in all competitions, while Kane has also netted three times since Mourinho’s arrival.
However, Spurs’ defensive record is a cause for concern. Their defence has leaked two goals in each of their last four games, so a clean sheet would be most welcome against Burnley.
Sean Dyche’s side were thrashed 4-1 by Manchester City last time out. A late Robbie Brady goal made the scoreline look slightly better for the Clarets, but Burnley were outclassed in every department against the reigning champions.
Burnley could only managed 24% of the possession against Guardiola’s men, and mustered up just four shots to City’s 17.
Back-to-back 3-0 victories over West Ham and Watford had seen Burnley climb up the table. But defeat to Crystal Palace and the hammering to Man City has halted their progression for now.
Dyche will be hoping that key players Ashley Barnes, Ashley Westwood and Charlie Taylor will be fit to face Tottenham, although Johann Berg Gudmundsson is a major doubt.
Erik Lamela is in line to return for Spurs, but Mourinho will not be able to call upon long-term absentees Hugo Lloris and Ben Davies.
Burnley got the better of Spurs in the team’s last meeting. The Clarets sealed a 2-1 victory last season, but wins over Tottenham have been few and far between for Burnley in recent times. That was Burnley’s first win over Spurs in the past ten games between the two teams.
Spurs look set to return to winning ways and inflict a third straight defeat on Burnley.
Forebet predicts that both teams will score, but Tottenham will again be too strong for Sean Dyche’s side.