Dan gives us his insight into what on paper is our most difficult game of the season, the trip to take on Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane

On Sunday afternoon Saints take on an in-form Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane for their last ever visit to the Cockrel’s Nest. To make the fixture even more difficult is the fact that Spurs are the only side in the Premier League to have an unbeaten home record in England’s top-flight this season. However, Southampton are the last team to win at White Hart Lane and so there may be some fortune for the team in red and white in North London.

Tottenham aren’t the only side who come into this game in good form as Southampton have won their last two Premier League outings, both away from home and in which scored four goals in each game. You could also count the EFL Cup final against Manchester United as part of this form despite the result as the performance was of the highest quality us fans have seen all season. Plus, with the goals of Manolo Gabbiadini and the recent revival of Nathan Redmond, Claude Puel and his team may just have a trick up their sleeves.

As for the hosts, Spurs have won three of their last four with a defeat away to Liverpool being their only league defeat in 11 matches. As well as that, they are yet to taste defeat on the turf of White Hart Lane, who will soon be no more, this season, conceding just seven goals in that time. However, I personally feel that we have enough fire power to score at least once on Sunday.

The headline this week for the game was the absence of Harry Kane who suffered ankle ligament damage in Tottenham’s 6-0 thrashing of League One Millwall in the FA Cup. The striker who has 13 goals in his last twelve games for the cockrels will be a pleasing absence to see for the Saints fans. However, Spurs have no lack of squad depth with Vincent Jannsen and Heung-Min Son being other choices for the role. Danny Rose will also miss out and Kyle Walker and Victor Wanyama will be assessed before the clash.

There shouldn’t be, in my opinion, any changes to the team that won our last two Premier League games, except the first-team debut of Martin Caceres who, in my eyes, should play over Jack Stephens. Caceres has proved his fitness by playing two full games for the U21s and won some fans with a nice skill move against a youthful Chelsea attacker. Stephens has played well but we now need more experience and quality at the back whilst Virgil Van Dijk is out otherwise we’ll continue to concede lots of goals.

I think a draw would be a fantastic result for Saints if they can pull it out of the bag, but there is a feeling of positivity as the chances are on our side. Being the last side to win at the Lane and now in the best form of the season, we could be in for a shout of making it three consecutive away wins in the Premier League. However, despite my optimism of a win, I will hope for a draw so a 1-1 will be the perfect result!

Photo: Action Images

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