Mauricio Pochettino’s men qualified for the knockout stage of Europe’s foremost club competition in style in midweek, coming from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 away from home and sealing top spot in Group H. It was an important triumph for Spurs, who were in need a positive response after going down meekly in last weekend’s north London derby, which was lost 2-0 to Arsenal. Tottenham were uncharacteristically flat in that match, with their local rivals’ heavy pressing in advanced areas of the pitch disrupting their natural rhythm. Questions were again raised about Pochettino’s record against big-six opposition away from home – he has now won only one of 17 such encounters at Spurs – so a hard-earned victory at Signal Iduna Park represented an ideal riposte to the Argentinian’s critics. The task awaiting Tottenham this weekend will be a very different one, but it is important that they make the most of a favourable run of fixtures in the next three weeks, before facing runaway league leaders Manchester City in mid-December.
Following West Brom’s 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Chelsea last weekend, manager Tony Pulis was dismissed by the club’s hierarchy. The Baggies started the season well under their Welsh boss, winning their first two games 1-0 before drawing 1-1 with Stoke City prior to the first international break of the campaign. Things went downhill thereafter, however, with West Brom failing to win any of their next 10 encounters in the Premier League, collecting just four points from a possible 30. Such poor results, coupled with supporters’ frustration about the style of play on display at The Hawthorns, ultimately spelled the end for Pulis after his team were well beaten by the champions on Saturday.
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Spurs remain without Victor Wanyama (knee) and Toby Alderweireld (hamstring), but have no fresh fitness concerns heading into Saturday’s showdown. Erik Lamela could make his long-awaited return to the matchday squad following a lengthy lay-off with a hip issue, while Mousa Dembele may return to the midfield alongside Harry Winks after starting the Dortmund encounter on the substitutes’ bench. Pochettino has switched between a back four and a back three throughout 2017/18, but his preference at present seems to be the latter, which means Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez and Jan Vertonghen will probably form the hosts’ rearguard this weekend.
West Brom will have to make do without Nacer Chadli (hamstring), Craig Dawson (knee) and James Morrison (Achilles) for their trip to the capital. Caretaker manager Gary Megson is unlikely to have changed too much in the build-up to this match, partly because he has not had a great deal of time to work with the players in his new position, but also due to the fact he has promoted a similar type of football to Pulis throughout his own coaching career.
Tottenham have struggled to break down so-called lesser opposition at Wembley so far this term, drawing with Swansea City and Burnley, and only narrowly overcoming Bournemouth and Crystal Palace by a single goal. West Brom have posted some miserable results throughout 2017, but they will probably be lifted by Pulis’ departure – which seemed only a matter of time throughout recent weeks – and could make life difficult for Tottenham. The home side should just about get the job done, but under 2.5 goals in total could be the best option for this one.
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