Tottenham will be hoping to bounce back from their embarrassing 5-1 defeat at White Hart Lane to Manchester City on Wednesday night, with the journey to Hull to face Steve Bruce’s Tigers on Saturday.
However Hull themselves aren't in the greatest of situations currently following their midweek defeat at Crystal Palace left them just four points above the drop zone as they continue to be part of the nine team fight against relegation.
January signings Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic will be looking to form a strong partnership, as the as far toothless Hull City side attempt to aid their strike force, which has yet to become effective.
Despite the midweek loss to Manchester City, Tottenham remain in the hunt for the champion’s league places, as they lie in 5th, only three points behind Liverpool in 4th, and will be boosted by the return of a number of key players from injury.
Key Man – Tom Huddlestone:
Former Tottenham player, Tom Huddlestone will be vital if the Tigers are to get anything out of the match against his former side. Huddlestones dictatorship of tempo and range of passing ability has been crucial to the Hull midfield this season, however will be without his usual partner in the middle of the pitch, Jake Livermore, as he cannot play against the side he is on loan from.
Key Man – Nabil Bentaleb:
Since the appointment of Tim Sherwood, the emphasise of trust in youth has been a prominent philosophy at the club, and nobody has benefited from this more than young Nabil Bentaleb, who has played large roles in the Tottenham midfield being preferred over more experienced players such as Lewis Holtby and Etienne Capoue, resulting in the former pushing through a loan move away to Fulham. Following the return of both Sandro and Paulinho from respective injuries, it will be interesting to see whether or not Nabil will keep his role in the Tottenham midfield.
Team News:
Hull will be without first choice goalkeeper, Allan McGregor as he serves his one match suspension following his red card against Crystal Palace, whilst Sone Aluko remains injured from an Achilles injury, although Maynor Figueroa and Robbie Brady could return to the Hull line-up.
For Tottenham, Andros Townsend and Erik Lamela remain side-lined with hamstring and hip injuries respectively, although Paulinho and Jan Vertonghen could return to the line-up after recovering from foot and ankle injuries respectively. Danny Rose’s red card has been rescinded from the midweek match, therefore is available to face Hull.
Predicted Line-up:
Lloris
Walker---Dawson---Chiriches---Rose
Lennon---Paulinho---Bentaleb---Eriksen
Soldado---Adebayor
I don’t think there will be any need to rush Jan Vertonghen straight back into action, as the partnership of Chiriches and Dawson is beginning to flourish. Danny Rose will be expected to remain in the line-up after having his suspension rescinded, whilst I think we could return to the 4-4-2, so that Robbie Soldado will be recalled to lead the line along with Emmanuel Adebayor. I predict that Tottenham will win 3-1.
Source: DSG
