Mauricio Pochettino’s side recorded their first victory of the 2016/17 Premier League season last time out, with Crystal Palace falling to a 1-0 defeat thanks to Victor Wanyama’s late headed winner. Tottenham were not at their best for much of the game but still found a way to win, with Palace struggling to create any clear-cut chances of note throughout the 90 minutes. While Pochettino will expect his team to play with greater intensity and fluency as the campaign goes on, he will also be delighted by the manner in which Tottenham dug in to take maximum points from a London derby that looked destined to finish goalless for long periods. After a promising draw at Everton on the opening weekend it has been a solid start by Tottenham, who will be aiming to launch another title challenge this year.
Liverpool’s second match of 2016/17 was altogether more disappointing, Burnley beating the Reds 2-0 at Turf Moor despite averaging less than 20 per cent of possession. Jurgen Klopp was mightily disappointed that his team failed to build on their thrilling 4-3 win against Arsenal six days previously, and will now be looking for a response from his players when they return to north London to take on Tottenham. A place in the top four is the target for Liverpool this term, but they will be fully aware that they need to play with far greater resilience than they have done so far, with Arsenal and Burnley both carving them open at times in the first couple of weeks of the season.
Spurs look set to be without goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who is nursing a hamstring injury, but otherwise have a fully fit squad to choose from this weekend. Liverpool, meanwhile, will be unable to call upon the services of Mamadou Sakho, Joe Gomez, Lucas Leiva, Loris Karius and Sheyi Ojo, although Sadio Mane could return after missing the loss to Burnley. The Reds have not lost in their last seven meetings with Tottenham and will be looking to keep that run going on Saturday, with Spurs aiming to extend their unbeaten start to the new campaign.
These two teams drew at both White Hart Lane and Anfield last term, and this weekend’s encounter could also end with each side taking a share of the spoils. Liverpool’s defensive issues have seemingly not been resolved over the summer – five goals conceded in two matches is a very poor return for a club with Champions League ambitions – but Klopp’s men still have plenty to offer going forward and should be able to cause Tottenham problems at the back. An entertaining 2-2 draw looks to be a good-value bet in the correct scoreline market, while Vincent Janssen is an excellent option for anytime goalscorer as the former AZ Alkmaar striker looks to open his Spurs account.
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