Tottenham Hotspur’s first match without Jose Mourinho sees Southampton travel to the capital on Wednesday night.
Mourinho was sacked on Monday following an indifferent 17-month spell in charge of Spurs, as talk of the proposed European Super League rumbles on.
💯 @premierleague appearances! 🇧🇷 Favourite @LucasMoura7 moment? #THFC ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/rYoEPdMzRH— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 18, 2021
💯 @premierleague appearances! 🇧🇷 Favourite @LucasMoura7 moment? #THFC ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/rYoEPdMzRH
Tottenham currently find themselves seventh in the Premier League table – five points outside the Champions League places.
On the flip side, Southampton sit fourteenth – 14 points behind Spurs and nine points clear of the relegation zone.
Tottenham were held to a 2-2 draw by Everton last time out, in what proved to be Mourinho’s final game in charge.
Harry Kane netted a brace, taking his tally to 21 goals and 13 assists in 30 Premier League games this season. However, a Gylfi Sigurdsson brace ensured the points were shared.
Spurs have only managed to win one of their previous five league matches, recording two draws and two losses in that time.
Tottenham may be the fourth-highest scorers in the Premier League, but their leaky backline has cost them far too many points this term.
As for Southampton, they were beaten by Leicester City in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday, losing 1-0 to Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Despite edging the possession, the Saints failed to register a single shot on target at Wembley, while Kelechi Iheanacho converted the Foxes’ only attempt on target.
Having only managed to win three of their previous 19 league games, Southampton are not in a good place right now.
In fact, the Saints have lost 11 of their last 14 Premier League matches, picking up just two wins and a draw in that time.
Southampton suffered a humiliating 3-0 loss to relegation-bound West Brom in their previous league game, despite enjoying 61% possession and recording 14 shots.
Head-to-head: Tottenham thrashed Southampton 5-2 in the reverse fixture back in September, with Son Heung-min netting four goals on that occasion.
Spurs are unbeaten in their last three meetings with Southampton in all competitions, scoring over 2.5 goals twice during that period.
Team news: Harry Kane is a doubt for Tottenham, as is Matt Doherty. Ben Davies is likely to miss the remainder of the campaign.
On the flip side, Southampton will be without Will Smallbone, Oriol Romeu and Michael Obafemi for Wednesday’s clash.
While it is difficult to predict how Tottenham will fare without Mourinho, it wouldn't be a shock of Southampton lost this one.
Forebet predicts that Spurs will score over 1.5 goals on their way to victory, although Southampton are also likely to get on the scoresheet.