Tottenham vs West Brom Preview | Team News, Stats & Key Men

Monday April 25th could have a huge importance in the Premier League’s title race as title contenders Tottenham welcome West Bromwich Albion to White Hart Lane.

Spurs sit second in the Premier League hot on the tails of leaders Leicester City.  With 3-0 and 4-0 wins in their last two matches over Manchester United and Stoke City, the North London side is on fire.  If Leicester drop any points in their game against Swansea on Sunday, Spurs could pull to within as close as two points off the top spot.

West Brom are just about on the beaches at this point in the season.  With 40 points the Baggies are all but safe for another season in the Premier League.  They do seem to have taken their foot off the gas a bit with only one point and one goal scored in their last five games.

Team News

One of the keys to Tottenham’s fantastic form this season has been their ability to keep players healthy.  That continues here as the only player they are missing through injury is Nabil Bentaleb.

West Brom will continue to miss their captain Chris Brunt after he tore his ACL, an injury that will keep him out until the early part of next season.  James Morrison will miss out with a hamstring injury, while Alex Pritchard is ineligible to be selected against his parent club.

Interesting Statistics

Six of the last 12 matches between these two sides have ended in draws, but West Brom have won only one of those 12.

The Baggies are a pretty typical Tony Pulis side and have the second best defensive record outside of the top five.

They also have the fewest shots on target (2.8 prior to the Arsenal game) per 90 minutes of anyone in the Premier League and the second fewest goals per 90 (0.9), according to Objective Football.

Tottenham have the best shots on target per 90 minutes (6.9) in the league along with the best shots on target against (3.0), according to Objective Football.

Tottenham have outscored their opponents 13-1 in their last five league games.

While facing the team with the second fewest goals per 90, Spurs have conceded the fewest goals per 90 in the league, and scored the most goals per 90 minutes, as of April 21st according to Objective Football.

Key Players

Tottenham: Harry Kane

For a one season wonder, Harry Kane is having a hell of a second season.  The Englishman has been one of the best strikers in the league this season.  Kane leads all strikers in shots per 90 minutes (4.1), tied with Sergio Aguero in most non penalty goals (19), and second in non penalty goals per 90 minutes (0.57) behind only Aguero, according to WhoScored.  Everyone in the Tottenham team has their own vital job, but they’d be nowhere without the goal scoring prowess of their 22 year old striker.

West Brom: Craig Dawson

Tottenham have arguably the best attack in the league, so the entire back four of West Brom has to be one their game.  On top of that, West Brom’s biggest threat is set pieces.  If the Baggies are to score, Craig Dawson is one of the more likely sources.  Only Saido Berahinho and Salamon Rondon have more goals for the Baggies than the English defender.

Prediction

It’s hard to see anything other than a Tottenham win.  Spurs are on fire and the Baggies have nothing left to play for.  Spurs haven’t dropped points to a bottom half side since December, and it’s hard to see that changing today.

Prediction: 3-0 Tottenham

*All data from ESPNFC unless stated otherwise