MX23RW : Wednesday, December 11 17:19:53| >> :120:19136:19136:
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Attendance: 58,401
Spurs logo
Premier League | Gameweek 16
Dec 7, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
Burnley logo

5-0

Kane (4', 54'), Moura (9'), Heung-min (32'), Sissoko (74')
FT(HT: 3-0)

Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Burnley - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Tottenham Hotspur's clash with Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday, including a prediction, team news and predicted lineups.

Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley will be looking to recover from poor results during the week when the two sides meet in the Premier League on Saturday.

Jose Mourinho suffered his first defeat as Spurs boss at former club Manchester United on Wednesday, while Burnley were comfortably beaten by Manchester City the day before.


Match preview

Spurs boss Jose Mourinho gesticulates on November 30, 2019© Reuters

Following three impressive victories under Mourinho, Spurs were brought back down to earth in quite typical fashion at Old Trafford.

The injection of the Portuguese has no doubt lifted spirits following a gloomy period under Mauricio Pochettino since the Champions League final, as was seen with the free-flowing nature of how Spurs attacked against West Ham, Olympiacos and then Bournemouth.

However, when faced with a relatively equal opponent on a big stage - an occasion requiring more tactical nuance - Spurs seemed to lack ideas going forward and looked overwhelmed by United at points.

Despite Dele Alli, a player Mourinho strongly believes in, scoring a wondrous goal, there was a discernible lack of identity and direction about how Spurs attacked on Wednesday, which was a criticism levelled at Mourinho during his time in Manchester.

However, it remains very early days in the Mourinho era, and at this stage, the 56-year-old will be less concerned by results and more interested in cementing a particular way of attacking and defending as a unit - his key philosophy - when Spurs meet Burnley on Saturday.

Burnley's Chris Wood celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on November 23, 2019© Reuters

While Spurs are undergoing significant changes this season, Burnley seem to be staying remarkably true to type under manager Sean Dyche.

Now in their fourth season back in the top flight, the Clarets finds themselves sitting comfortably in 11th place on 18 points, with no punter even considering the possibility of relegation this season.

With very limited resources and an unswervingly consistent set of tactical principles, Dyche has created a foundation at Burnley that essentially guarantees the club a minimum of 40 points over 38 games.

Playing with a classic 4-4-2 system, with one number nine and a second striker just in behind, Burnley press and attack as a unit, squeezing space in the final third and testing the patience of opponents from set pieces.

Against a Spurs side desperate for a victory, Burnley players will know exactly what their plan is heading into this game in North London.

Recent Tottenham Hotspur form: WDWWWL
Recent Burnley form: LLWWLL


Team News

Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris lies injured on October 5, 2019© Reuters

Hugo Lloris remains some way away from making a recovery after damaging elbow ligaments in October, although substitute keeper Michel Vorm could return in time for this weekend.

Erik Lamela and Ben Davies have both been ruled out with calf and ankle injuries respectively.

For Burnley, Johann Berg Gudmundsson has returned to training but will not recover in time for this clash.

Charlie Taylor and Ashley Westwood, who have thigh and groin problems, are major doubts for the weekend but have a small chance of returning.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Gazzaniga; Aurier, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Rose; Sissoko, Winks; Dele, Lo Celso, Son; Kane

Burnley possible starting lineup:
Pope; Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Pieters; Drinkwater, Cork, Lennon, Brady; Barnes, Wood


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Burnley

Spurs will be made to work hard for all three points against a militantly organised Burnley side, but following the defeat at Old Trafford, Mourinho's men will be desperate to stamp their authority and produce a professional performance, which should be enough to yield a narrow victory.



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Written by
Leo Nieboer
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Manchester United's Scott McTominay as he is substituted off on November 7, 2019
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