Match Preview: Stoke City v Tottenham Hotspur
Both sides will be keen to get a result from this one as Tottenham Hotspur make the journey up to Staffordshire to take on the Potters, neither side has looked truly convincing as the 2016/17 Premier League season got underway. This is the first fixture since transfer deadline day, Stoke and Spurs will look to include their new signings in their respective match day squads. Bruno Martins Indi of Porto has been brought in to add a solidity whilst Wilfried Bony and his tremendous goal scoring record should bring some much needed fire power at the other end. Pochettino’s squad will provide a stern test for Stoke as we continue the search for our first league win of the season.
Kick Off: Saturday 10/09 @ 15:00
Match Odds (as of the previous day): H: 15/4 – D: 11/4 – A: 5/6
Last Season: 0-4 [H Kane (2), D Alli (2)]
The Opposition
After nothing short of a capitulation at the back end of Tottenham’s campaign last time around, Pochettino would have hoped for a strong start to this season, but in truth it hasn’t really got going yet. Spurs have won one and drawn two, a better start than our boys but with a squad as strong as theirs the opening to this term has left many Tottenham fans wanting. Players such as Kane, Alli and Dier haven’t been yet able to reach the heights of their imperious form last season and they will all be hungry to really kick things off again with a win away at Stoke. Last year’s meeting between the sides wasn’t much of a contest, Spurs romped to a 4-0 win, however, the performance from Stoke at White Hart Lane in the reverse fixture, shows that on their day our squad can match the threat posed by the Lilywhites.
Squad News
Jack Butland looks set to be out of the squad for 10 weeks and Shaqiri is out with a calf injury. Glen Johnson has returned to training and could feature on Saturday for the first time this season. Cameron and Sobhi returned late from international duty and are perhaps unlikely to start in this one. Many are expecting Walters to start on the right wing which could leave space for Bojan to operate through the middle. However, it is more likely that Whelan will keep his place in a 4-3-3. Jakob Haugaard has an ankle issue which all but confirms Joel ‘Least glamourous signing of the window’ Grant’s place on the bench.
Predicted XI: (4,3,3) Given; Bardsley, Shawcross, Bruno Martins Indi, Pieters; Whelan, Allen, Imbula; Arnautovic, Bony, Walters.
Ones to Watch
Tottenham – Moussa Sissoko: the Frenchman impressed at the Euros and subsequently earned himself a deadline day move to Spurs. Reportedly making his way to Everton to sign for the Toffees before changing his mind and heading down to London. Clearly showing credentials that he can be a slippery customer for anyone playing at left back.
Stoke – Wilfried Bony: Bony will be the man that all Stoke fans will have an eye on come Saturday afternoon. The Ivorian never really settled after a big money move to Manchester City but his healthy 26 goals in 54 appearance for Swansea has left some Stoke fans salivating at the prospect of his performances at the Bet365.
Written by Ben Cartwright
Tags: stoke city
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