Spurs v Burnley Match Preview

[outwoodclaret]

It was a weekend when almost nothing went to plan. Given the advantage of playing before Leeds and Everton and the opportunity to open up a gap over their rivals, Burnley contrived to throw a spanner in their own works with a lacklustre display against Aston Villa that saw them slump to a 1-3 home defeat. Everton duly took advantage of Burnley’s slip by winning 2-1 at Leicester to move out of the relegation zone. A further point away at Watford in midweek has seemingly offered Everton every prospect of retaining their Premier League status with home games against Brentford and Crystal Palace to come before facing Arsenal away.

Meanwhile in Sunday’s other relegation mix fixture, Leeds quickly found themselves two goals down at the Emirates and very soon thereafter down to ten men following Luke Ayling’s straight red card for a wild challenge on Martinelli. Surprisingly perhaps they then prevented Arsenal from adding further goals while Llorente gave the visitors hope pulling a goal back with still 25 minutes to play. Next up for Leeds was Wednesday evening’s visit of Chelsea to Elland Road. Leeds head coach Jesse Marsch, who was appointed in February to replace club legend Marcelo Bielsa, has been seeking to inspire his players with quotations from Muhammad Ali, Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa. Marsch must have been scratching his head as Dan James flew in on Kovacic with a tackle that owed more to Vlad the Impaler than Mother Teresa. Another straight red resulted and Leeds must now go into their final two fixtures (home v Brighton, away v Brentford) without Ayling and James. Leeds indiscipline could well cost them very dear.

Burnley, on the same points as Leeds but with a vastly superior goal difference and with a game in hand, have been preparing for what is likely to prove a very difficult trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday. This is a 12pm kick off. Back in February Spurs fell to a 1-0 defeat at Turf Moor on a rain soaked night that was arguably the lowest point of Antonio Conte’s managerial career at Spurs. Since then he has re-invigorated Spurs Champions League challenge. Thursday night’s comprehensive 3-0 drubbing of North London rivals Arsenal has lifted fifth placed Spurs to within a single point of the Gunners. It was a win achieved so comfortably that Conte could afford to take off Song Heung-min with 20 minutes to play. Conte will undoubtedly field his strongest side against the Clarets and he will require nothing less than victory.

Burnley, who will be without Vydra for the rest of the season, are unlikely to risk injury doubts Jay Rodriguez and James Tarkowski. Nathan Collins and Kevin Long are likely to pair up in central defence with Maxwel Cornet set to partner Wout Weghorst in attack. How will this all pan out? Well the situation will be much clearer after Leeds have played Brighton (kick off 2pm). Could it all go to the last day as it did in May 1987 with Burnley needing to win their final game and relying on results elsewhere?

The match referee is Kevin Friend with Stuart Attwell on VAR. Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze are promised. Conte is already annoyed that Spurs have the early kick off on Sunday. Let’s hope he is still spitting feathers at the final whistle. COYC!

[The Bedlington Terrier]

I hope Howe remembers we all loved him once.

[kritichris]

I hope Howe remembers we all loved him once.

and Wood.

[sinkov]

Spurs 1/3, £30 on to win £10 ? I dunno, is it worth it ? There are plenty of worse returns for your money, and I can't imagine Spurs aren't going to win. It's easy money innit ?

[Norder]

.



be nice if we could sit back....but we need the points, so how about - we sit back - defend superbly, frustrate them, and with one long ball, take the points!

[Swissclaret]

Spurs have everything to play for. Son is scoring for fun at the moment. Kane has found his boots. We will do well to keep it down to 3:0. Simply to good for us.

[ClaretinBudapest]

Kane & Son 5 BFC 1

[The Bedlington Terrier]

If we win and Leeds lose...

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[outwoodclaret]

Unfortunately Spurs should be much too good for us. We need Brighton to be right on their game at Leeds.

[sinkov]

Unfortunately Spurs should be much too good for us. We need Brighton to be right on their game at Leeds.

One of the very top away teams in the country Brighton, only been beaten 4 times in 18 away games, only 4 teams conceded fewer away goals. They've picked up 19 pnts at home, 28 away from home. it might seem perverse, but Leeds would have a better chance playing this game on the south coast.