The Premier League’s return from the international break will be marked by Jürgen Klopp’s return to management. Liverpool’s new era will kick-off this Saturday lunchtime at White Hart Lane, and we’re tipping an end-to-end, high scoring affair in Saturday’s lunch time kick-off.
With many of his players away on international duty, Klopp will have had a limited time to assess their capabilities and impart his systems on the team. But he has, at the very least, reinvigorated Liverpool’s support. That newfound enthusiasm should transcend to the players who will be out to impress their new boss. Many of Liverpool’s players will see Saturday as an opportunity to impress Klopp as they challenge for positions in what will evolve into Klopp’s regular starting XI.
Although it sounds counter intuitive, Tottenham are the form team over the last 3 Premier League matches, and just behind Arsenal and Manchester City over the last 6. The North London side have not lost a match since the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United on the opening day of the season - currently the longest run of consecutive matches (7) without a loss in the league.
While Spurs played some excellent football at times last season, they lacked consistency as players adapted to Mauricio Pochettino’s tactics and rigorous training regime. A season on and with the additions of Heung-Min Son and Toby Alderweireld, it looks like Tottenham are evolving into the team that Pochettino envisioned when he took over.
In recent seasons, what has become an unwanted hallmark of both Tottenham and Liverpool is their erratic defending which is why our tipping partner LogiBet is making both teams to score in this game their tip of the weekend. While only Joe Hart (32) boasts more clean sheets in the Premier League since the start of the 2013/14 campaign than either Simon Mignolet (26) and Hugo Lloris (25), both teams are prone to a number of mistakes. In fact over the last 3 seasons, only Tottenham (32) have made more errors that have led directly to a goal than Liverpool (25).
Both managers will be hoping to capitalise on the susceptibility to errors of their opposition. A hallmark of a Jürgen Klopp team is one that scores on the counter-attack. His Borussia Dortmund side managed more counter-attacking goals (48) than any other team in the Bundesliga between 2009 and 2015.
Tottenham may actually be benefitting from Harry Kane’s goalscoring drought as he is no longer the sole focus of the attack, allowing other players to step up. Whether in a drought or not, teams are well aware of the threat that Kane poses and he will remain heavily marked - freeing up any number of players to break down the defence. Nine players, including Kane, have found the back of the net in all competitions for Spurs this season, with Tottenham only failing to score in 2 of their last 13 competitive matches.
The results may have left little to be desired at the end of Brendan Rodgers’ tenure, but Liverpool can almost always be counted on for a goal too. Liverpool have scored in 18 of their last 22 matches in the Premier League after all. The arrival of Klopp will not be the only boost for the visitors as Daniel Sturridge will likely start his fourth league match this season. Sturridge has scored in 3 of his last 4 trips to White Hart Lane and will be looking to add to his tally.
Liverpool have won each of their last 5 Premier League matches against Tottenham, however Spurs have not lost six consecutive league matches against the same opponent since 2008 (vs Newcastle). The battle between the in-form team and one bolstered by new manager bounce should make for an entertaining watch for neutrals. Expect goals from both sides stemming from counter attacking play, individual skill and errors.
Our betting tip partner LogiBet have selected both teams to score in this match as their top pick for the weekend, available at odds of 1.66 with various bookmakers including Bet365, and our analysis agrees with their tip.
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