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Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur face a stern test of their top-four credentials in the next few weeks and their task will not be made any easier in the absence of key attacking duo, Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.
Kane, who is the London club’s leading scorer in the Premier League with 14 goals to his name, has been ruled out of action until March after suffering ankle ligament damage in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United last weekend.
And, to make matters worse, Pochettino will have to make do without the services of the in-form Son. The South Korean has already linked up with his international team-mates at this year’s Asian Cup, earning a penalty and providing an assist to inspire his side to a 2-0 victory over China on Thursday.
If, as expected, South Korea progress to the final of the Asian Cup, the 26-year-old Son will miss the club’s next five fixtures, starting with today’s trip to London rivals Fulham.
Even in the absence of Kane and Son, today’s clash is most certainly winnable, but next week’s Carabao Cup semifinal, second-leg clash with Chelsea will push their squad to the limit.
The fact that Chelsea are hot on their heels in the Premier League standings will not be lost on Spurs’ players and the last thing they need is to start this tough run of games with a defeat to lowly Fulham.
Two days after facing Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, Tottenham travel to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup fourth round, followed by home games against Watford and Newcastle in the Premier League.
It remains unclear whether Pochettino will bolster his squad this January, but after revealing that Netherlands international Vincent Janssen is not in his plans, he might revive his interest in Barcelona’s Malcom or Real Betis’ Antonio Sanabria.
What is certain is that players such as Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli and Fernando Llorente will have to shoulder more of the goal-scoring load in the absence of Kane and Son. Brazilian Lucas Moura is likely to be heavily involved, especially after the sale of Mousa Dembélé to Chinese Super League side Guangzhou R&F.
Although the clash between Fulham and Spurs will be at the centre of attention in London, Manchester City’s trip to managerless Huddersfield Town will also be of particular interest.
Pep Guardiola’s men recently reignited the Premier League title race after clinching a 2-1 victory over leaders Liverpool at the Etihad, a result that closed the gap at the top to just four points.
City hammered the Terriers 6-1 the last time they squared off and, after netting an eye-watering 19 goals in their last three games, only the bravest of punters would put their money on a City defeat in West Yorkshire.
City skipper Vincent Kompany is the only fresh injury – a minor muscle problem –concern for the Citizens, with goalkeeper Claudio Bravo and fullback Benjamin Mendy set to miss out again. – TEAMtalk Media
