Mauricio Pochettino’s men took a huge step towards achieving their goal of a top-four finish with a 3-1 triumph over London rivals Chelsea last time out. Spurs fell behind at Stamford Bridge to an Alvaro Morata header and did not offer much of a threat for the majority of the first half, but Christian Eriksen’s stunning strike just before the interval proved to be the start of an impressive comeback. Dele Alli’s brace after the break turned the game on its head and gave Spurs a vital victory which leaves them eight points clear of the fifth-placed champions; they even have the opportunity to increase that margin further this weekend, with Chelsea not scheduled to face West Ham United until Sunday afternoon. Aside from a disappointing defeat by Juventus, Tottenham are on an impressive run of form at present and will be looking to extend their unbeaten run in the top flight to 14 matches in the Potteries.
Stoke faced Spurs’ north London rivals last time out, but despite playing reasonably well for 70 minutes of the game they left the Emirates Stadium without a point. The Potters were the better team in the first half and came close to opening the scoring, while Xherdan Shaqiri hit the post direct from a corner in the second period. Paul Lambert probably felt his side had done enough to avoid defeat, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s penalty in the 75th minute kick-started a much-improved period for Arsenal, who scored twice more before the final whistle. That result leaves the Potters three points adrift of safety with six games left to play, which means Saturday’s showdown with Spurs is of sizeable significance for Lambert and co.
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Tottenham could welcome back Harry Kane to the starting XI after the England striker began the Chelsea success among the substitutes, but Toby Alderweireld may again be left out of the matchday squad as speculation continues to link him with a move away from north London. Harry Winks is still struggling with an ankle injury, meanwhile, but Pochettino has no fresh fitness concerns. Erik Lamela is most likely to drop out to accommodate the return of Kane, while Victor Wanyama will be hoping for his first Premier League start in a month and only his fourth of the season.
Stoke will have to make do without the services of Kurt Zouma (knee), Konstantinos Stafylidis (rib) and Lee Grant (wrist), but Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting will be assessed as he pushes for a return from a groin strain. Mame Biram Diouf started up front at the Emirates Stadium and could be selected in that position once more, with his speed and directness making him a potentially dangerous opponent against a team who defends with a high line; Shaqiri is Stoke’s main man behind him, though, and the Switzerland international will have to be at the top of his game if the hosts are to cause an upset in this one.
The Potters were a little unfortunate to lose 3-0 to Arsenal last time out, and there were certainly positives to take from their all-round performance. Tottenham will probably prove too strong on Saturday, though, and it could be worth backing the visitors to come out on top and score more than 2.5 goals – something they have done on their last two visits to the Bet365 Stadium and in each of their last four meetings with Stoke.
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