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Spurs logo
Premier League
May 16, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Hull logo

2-0

Chadli (54'), Rose (61')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Hull City

Sports Mole previews the Premier League clash between Tottenham and Hull at White Hart Lane as the Tigers scrap for their top-flight lives.

Hull City must win one of their remaining two Premier League fixtures to stand any chance of avoiding relegation.

With a last-day visit of Manchester United to follow this weekend's trip to Tottenham Hotspur, it is clear to see why Steve Bruce's side are favourites to join Burnley and Queens Park Rangers in the Championship next season.



Spurs

Vlad Chiriches (L) of Tottenham Hotspur leaves the field after being shown the red card by referee Mark Clattenburg during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at Britannia Stadium on May 9, 2015© Getty Images

Recent results had led to tongue-in-cheek suggestions that Tottenham and Southampton are in a battle to avoid the final Europa League spot.

Spurs currently have a one-point advantage over the Saints, but each have only picked up one point from a possible nine - a 2-2 draw with each other on April 25.

Either way, with in-form Swansea City now hot on both of their heels, there is genuinely a fight on for sixth place and Spurs must fix up if they want to retain it.

One victory in six games has seen a once-encouraging season fall flat, with the intensity of the Mauricio Pochettino playing style nowhere to be seen in recent weeks.

The Argentine admitted that last weekend's 3-0 defeat to Stoke City was one of Tottenham's worst performances of what will end up being a 59-game season, so fatigue could be a factor if not an excuse for their manager.

It is their defence which has been letting Spurs down. Only three teams in the division, not including their lowly opponents on Saturday, have conceded more goals this term and Pochettino has admitted that this must improve significantly if they are to have a top-four tilt next term.

For now, though, hanging on to sixth would be good enough. Spurs are on course for their lowest points total since 2010-11, but Europa League qualification, a domestic cup final and the emergence of some top-class youngsters should keep the terraces happy for now.

Recent form: DLWDLL



Hull

Ahmed Elmohamady of Hull City controls the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Hull City and Burnley at KC Stadium on May 9, 2015© Getty Images

Many had pencilled Hull in for next season's Premier League following their consecutive victories over Liverpool and Crystal Palace at the end of April.

Those six points had taken the Tigers four clear of the bottom three, but last weekend could not have gone much worse for the men from Humberside.

They fell to a 1-0 home defeat to Burnley - the second time that they had been beaten by the Clarets this season - while relegation rivals Leicester City, Sunderland and Aston Villa all won and Newcastle United drew with West Bromwich Albion.

Hull now find themselves in the drop zone and with only two games to save their skin - two hard games at that. They may have to beat both Spurs and United to prolong their three-year stay in the top flight.

Should they fail to win at White Hart Lane, the Tigers could be relegated before they play their final game. A Newcastle victory at QPR, a win for Sunderland and a point for Leicester between now and then would send them down.

While the Black Cats and the Foxes have won twice in succession, Hull have lost two on the bounce and one of their main problems this term has been that they have taken too long to arrest their slumps in form.

Four times during the course of the campaign, Bruce's side have gone four or more league games without winning, with their longest barren run at 10 matches. Should that be made five, they can wave goodbye to the big time.

Recent form: LLWWLL



Team News

Nikica Jelavic of Hull City touches the ball over Joel Robles of Everton for his team's second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Hull City and Everton at KC Stadium on January 1, 2015© Getty Images

Vlad Chiriches was sent off in Tottenham's hammering by the Potters and is suspended. Danny Rose is back to take his place at left-back, but Kyle Walker and Ben Davies are still missing from the home defence.

Emmanuel Adebayor is suffering with illness and will not feature in Spurs' final home game of the season. Erik Lamela currently has the nod over Andros Townsend on the wing as Pochettino gives his compatriot a chance to prove himself before the summer.

Nikica Jelavic is pushing for a start for Hull and may be recalled at the expense of Sone Aluko as strike partner to Dame N'Doye.

With Mohamed Diame and Gaston Ramirez still sidelined, Stephen Quinn is poised to maintain his midfield berth in a team showing just one change from the defeat to Burnley.

Former Spurs contingent Michael Dawson, Jake Livermore and Tom Huddlestone are all expected to start and should be welcomed back warmly by the White Hart Lane crowd.

Spurs possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Dier, Fazio, Vertonghen, Rose; Mason, Bentaleb; Lamela, Eriksen, Chadli; Kane

Hull possible starting lineup:
Harper; Chester, Dawson, McShane; Elmohamady, Livermore, Huddlestone, Meyler; N'Doye, Jelavic



Head To Head

The signs are not good for Hull - they are winless in their last eight matches against Tottenham and have not won at the Lane since a Geovanni-inspired victory in their maiden Premier League season in 2009-10.

For a long time, they appeared to be on course to beat them in November's reverse fixture at the KC Stadium. Livermore gave Hull an eighth-minute lead before Spurs' golden pair of Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane each scored after the second-half dismissal of Ramirez.



Video Preview

Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:



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We say: Spurs 1-1 Hull

Both sides are in stuttering form and, at this stage of the season, it may simply come down to who wants it more. Although Hull are in greater need of the points, Spurs are unlikely to lose three in a row at home and should secure a draw.



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Mauricio Pochettino the Spurs manager directs his players during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at Boleyn Ground on August 16, 2014
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