Norwich welcome Tottenham on Tuesday in the first game of Match day 24 of the Premier League. With 5 points differentiating them from the 5th placed Manchester United, Spurs are in place for a European spot and will be keen to extend the gap against Norwich. The London side has had a terrific time travelling away from home garnering an incredible 12 points from a possible 18 in the last 6 games. However, Norwich, who took their last opponents Liverpool right to the last minute of extra time will present a very tough opposition.
Team News
Norwich City
The Canaries remain without the services of striker Gary Hooper who recuperates from the ankle injury suffered while training and Gary O’Neil, who serves the last of his 3 match ban for the red card against Stoke. We expect manager Alex Neil to start with the same line-up that against Liverpool.
Expected Line-Up
Rudd, Bassong, Martin, Pinto, Brady, Howson, Dorrans, Redmond, Hoolahan, Mbokani, Naismith
Tottenham Hotspurs
The injury to experienced and in-form centre-back Vertonghen has presented Pochettino with a very critical area of concern. While Spurs might have replacements in place for the other injured players Mason and N’Jie, Vertonghen has been the bed rock of this Spurs’ defence and his absence could cost them dearly.
Expected Line-Up
Lloris, Walker, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Rose, Dier, Dembele, Alli, Eriksen, Lamela, Kane
Key Men
Steven Naismith
The former Everton wasted no time announcing his intentions at his new club, finding the back of the net against former foes Liverpool. His movement on and off the ball makes him a threat to the opposition and Tottenham will be aware of his abilities in and around the box. With 6 goals in all competitions this season, despite the limited number of opportunities being afforded to him, we believe Norwich have pulled off a remarkable deal to get an experienced player on their books to resolve the issues in front of the goal. With Vertonghen missing, the new pairing of Wimmer and Alderweireld could find it handle to handle Naismith and should he be afforded time and space in the box, the Scotland international could turn out to be difference between the two sides.
Harry Kane
After a rather timid start to the season, which saw him go 6 games without a goal, Kane has been amongst the goals. With 13 goals in the league, Kane is tied for the 4th spot on the list of top scorers along with the magical Riyad Mahrez. Kane will be the man to watch out for Norwich, a side who have shipped plenty of goals this season. With Eriksen, Alli and Lamela ably assisting the English number 9, the Norwich defence has a battle on their hands. The Englishman has found the back of the net on 2 occasions in the last 5 league games and will be keen to improve the form. While their strong defence has been at the heart of the resurgence of Spurs this season, the contribution of their attack and in particular their star striker Kane.
Key Stats
- This will be the 59th meeting between these two sides in all competitions with Tottenham having won on 27 occasions compared to Norwich’s 17 wins.
- With just 19 goals conceded so far, Tottenham have been the tightest defence in the league, while Norwich, who have shipped 43 goals are only better than Sunderland who have shipped 46 goals.
- Harry Kane is amongst the 7 strikers who have featured for all of their side’s 23 league games this season, along with Lukaku, Giroud, Deeney, Ighalo, Vardy and Jerome.
Sorry to criticise but hoopers been long gone, and what about klose and Bamford.
I would actually expect one or both of them to be playing and perhaps Martin won’t be starting after his recent poor displays