Tottenham Hotspur host Coventry City in a match that could prove pivotal to both teams’ hopes of climbing the table.
Potential catalyst
Sitting rock bottom of the Premier League table, it’s fair to say Tottenham Hotspur haven’t enjoyed the start to the season that Roberto De Zerbi and his players had hoped for.
However, the 1-1 draw against Manchester United offered Spurs hope that De Zerbi’s ideas and methods are finally taking root with the North London side unfortunate not to leave Old Trafford with all three points.
Coventry City are also hanging around the wrong end of the table having won just two of their opening six league fixtures since promotion from the Championship.
Of course, Frank Lampard’s newly promoted team were widely expected to be involved in the relegation scrap in some form and so their early-season form is less surprising than Tottenham’s.
Like Spurs, they are aiming to build on recent results after beating Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United in back-to-back games. If Coventry can replicate the form of their last outing against Newcastle, three wins on the bounce could be on the cards.
Coventry’s last top flight winning streak of three victories in a row came all the way back in 1998 under Gordon Strachan. Lampard and his players can make some history on Monday.
Key players
Dominic Solanke’s stoppage time equaliser gave Tottenham a share of the spoils against United with the 29-year-old expected to lead the line once again on Monday. No player had more shots than Solanke in last weekend’s match at Old Trafford.
Sandro Tonali had arguably his best game as a Spurs player last time out. The Italian midfielder will be a key figure for the home side in the centre of the pitch, offering energy on both sides of the ball.
Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke have shown signs of a burgeoning partnership in central defence recently, combining for 14 defensive contributions in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United.
Sidiki Cherif is expected to keep his place as Coventry’s starting centre forward after finding the back of the net in the rampant 4-1 win over Newcastle. The Frenchman’s movement will make him a threat on Monday.
Jack Rudoni also notched a goal against Newcastle and will be a supporting figure behind Cherif in the number 10 role. The 25-year-old has started the season strongly for Lampard’s team.
Matt Grimes and Caleb Yirenkyi are likely to retain their places as Lampard’s starting double pivot in the centre of the pitch with goalkeeper Carl Rushworth required to be in top form between the posts to keep Spurs out.
Team news
De Zerbi revealed in his pre-match press conference that Lucas Bergvall and Sávio will miss Monday’s match with Pedro Porro also likely to be unavailable for the hosts.
Mykhaylo Mudryk, Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons are similarly on the sidelines for Tottenham while Rodrigo Bentancur is suspended following his red card against Manchester United.
Taiwo Awoniyi has completed a three-game ban and will be back for Coventry against Spurs. However, Luke Woolfenden, Aurèle Amenda, Josh Eccles and Haji Wright are all expected to miss out.
Prediction
We’re thinking this will be a nervous but narrow, and much needed home win: Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Coventry City.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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