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Sunday, 28 November 2010
Barclays Premier League
Barclays Premier LeagueVenue: White Hart Lane Date: Sunday, 28 November Kick-off: 1600 GMTCoverage: Watch live on Sky Sports 1 and highlights on Match of the Day; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and local radio including full match commentary on BBC Radio Merseyside 95.8 FM, 1485 MW and DAB; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rafael van der Vaart is a major doubt with an ankle problem.Jermaine Jenas could miss out with a calf injury, but Michael Dawson has returned to training after 10 weeks out with ligament damage. Liverpool could be boosted by the return of Joe Cole after a month out with a hamstring injury. Steven Gerrard is still a not ready for a return, although Lucas is back from his one game suspension. TottenhamDoubtful: Dawson (knee), Jenas (calf), van der Vaart (ankle) Injured: Huddlestone (ankle), Dos Santos, King & Woodgate (all groin), O’Hara (back) LiverpoolDoubtful: Cole (hamstring) Injured: Agger (calf), Gerrard (hamstring), Spearing (ankle)
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp claimed his side could win the league after their stunning comeback victory at fierce rivals Arsenal last week. Those words were also uttered by defender William Gallas following his controversial switch across north London during the summer.
Spurs have only ever been crowned champions of England twice, in 1951 and 1961, leading to the club’s fans believing that years ending in a one are lucky for them. Perhaps Redknapp and Gallas can feel fate on their side. In a campaign of inconsistencies for all Premier League sides, Redknapp knows Spurs need to discover a more ruthless streak to be considered genuine title challengers. So are Spurs realistic contenders? Redknapp’s lit the touch paper, now it is down to his players, who secured the club’s passage through to the last 16 of the Champions League in midweek. If title-talk is fanciful for Tottenham, it is mythical for Liverpool and their fans these days. It is only 18 months ago that the Reds missed out on the title by four points, but that already seems like a distant memory. At this stage of that season they were 14 points better off than now. At least there now appears to be genuine hope that Roy Hodgson can turn Liverpool’s fortunes around. Thirteen points from the last six fixtures has the club looking towards the top end of the table rather than the bottom. His side may have lacked fight in their last away game at Stoke, but victory at Spurs by a two-goal margin would lift Liverpool above their opponents in the table. Then who would be the title challengers?
Head-to-head• The two English heavyweights are meeting for the 135th time in the league. Liverpool have 63 victories, compared to Tottenham’s 37. • This fixture has favoured the home side in each of the last two seasons. Spurs have recorded successive 2-1 league victories, as well as a 4-2 League Cup win two years ago. • Liverpool’s last victory at White Hart Lane was 2-0 in May 2008, with Fernando Torres among the scorers.
Tottenham• Spurs have recorded back-to-back league wins for only the second time this season. However, they are yet to win three league games in a row. • Harry Redknapp is unbeaten in his last four home games against Liverpool. His only defeat in 11 home matches against the Reds came while with former club Portsmouth in May 2006. • Tottenham have accrued 13 points from losing positions this season, more than any other club in the division. • Spurs have scored 16 goals in six November games in all competitions, including 10 their last three matches. Liverpool• The Reds’ 3-0 win at home to West Ham last time out was their first win in three league games. • Liverpool have mustered only one away victory away from Anfield, at 1-0 win at high-flying Bolton last month. • The Merseysiders have kept five league clean sheets this season, including three in their last five games. • Roy Hodgson has never won in four previous trips to White Hart Lane as a manager. He has two draws and two defeats to date.
TottenhamBale: 9 goals (5 league); Van der Vaart: 8 goals (6 league); Pavyluchenko: 8 goals (4 league)
LiverpoolGerrard: 7 goals (3 league); Ngog: 7 goals (1 league); Torres: 5 goals (5 league)
Referee: Martin Atkinson Assistant referees: Peter Kirkup & Mike Mullarkey Fourth official: Mark Halsey
Tottenham (W3-2 v Arsenal, a): Gomes, Hutton, Gallas, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon (Defoe 46), Jenas, Modric, Bale, Van der Vaart (Palacios 87), Pavlyuchenko (Crouch 73). Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Bentley, Bassong, Corluka Liverpool (W3-0 v West Ham, h): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Konchesky, Kuyt, Meireles (Shelvey 83), Poulsen, Maxi, Torres (Babel 84), Ngog (Aurelio 73). Subs Not Used: Jones, Kyrgiakos, Kelly, Eccleston
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