There is probably no worse moment for Swansea to host Spurs. Garry Monk’s side were in poor form during September and a match against a full-swing Tottenham isn’t something they need right now. Swansea have been disappointing in the league since they beat Manchester United in late August. The need for maximum points is increasing and their North London opponents are not the same shaky team from the opening fixtures.
Mauricio Pochettino has found a way to turn around Tottenham’s form, reshaping a flabby and flimsy team in his own hard-working image. Their performances are improving with each game, culminating most recently in their raucous 4-1 triumph over Manchester City last weekend. After gaining only three points from their first four matches, Tottenham smashed the Citizens, after beating Sunderland and Crystal Palace in the weeks prior.
The Premier League has been quite interesting so far, and the contest this Sunday at the Liberty Stadium could give us yet more thrilling action to consume. Tottenham can enter the top four if they manage to bring the three points back to London, while Swansea’s first win after a month would make the top seven race decidedly more interesting.
Key Battle – Gylfi Sigurdsson vs Christian Eriksen
These two attacking midfielders hold the keys to unlocking this match for their respective teams. Over the last few matches, Sigurdsson has been one of Swansea’s worst performers, although his run-out against Southampton saw a marginal improvement. The Icelandic midfielder tends to dictate the form of his teaml when he plays well, so do Swansea, and vice-versa. Similarly, Eriksen’s presence on the pitch hugely impacts Spurs’ shape and display; he laid on two crucial assists in wins over Palace and Manchester City, and generally acts as Tottenham’s main creative fulcrum. Whoever can stand the tallest here will go some way to deciding the match.
Team News
Garry Monk has no problems with injured players. He is able to call upon his full playing staff, though he might make a few changes to the starting XI, if only to send his players a stern wake-up call. After eight points from their first four matches, the Swans won only once, against Everton, in the following three. Monk has spoken sorrowfully about the way his team has played recently. Perhaps his changing of the shape of the team last weekend reflects this tetchiness. Bafetimbi Gomis played up front with Andre Ayew next to him, in a 4-4-2 formation with the diamond-shaped midfield.
Ki Sung-yueng was back in the starting lineup, with Jefferson Montero waiting for his chance off the bench. It was supposed to be a surprise for the Saints, yet it ended as an ugly surprise for all the Swansea fans. Now, the Swans should go back to basics, their usual 4-2-3-1 with Jack Cork and Jonjo Shelvey as two sitting midfielders. At some point, though, tactical arrangements can impact a match only finitely; desire on the pitch must be the main point of improvement for Swansea.
Conversely, Mauricio Pochettino has an arduous task ahead of him to complete his starting XI. The Korean signing that stole fans’ hearts, Heung-Min Son, has a foot injury and his return date remains unknown. Son could be replaced by Nacer Chadli. Nabil Bentaleb and Moussa Dembele are both recovering from ankle injuries, while Ryan Mason is getting closer to full fitness after his knee injury. None of them should be starting the match at Swansea.
Tottenham have looked well organized recently, almost uncharacteristically so. Their defence is doing a fine job, with Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen emerging as pillars of the back four. Spurs have also started scoring more goals, which isn’t something they are known for, especially on the narrow pitch at White Hart Lane. Harry Kane is back in the business of scoring, while Erik Lamela has finally started showing why he was brought to Tottenham two years ago.
Head-to-head
These two teams have played 12 matches in recent history. Spurs have been quite impressive, winning nine times and losing only twice. While Swansea have never earned a point at White Hart Lane, both of their victories have been at the Liberty Stadium.
Last Meeting
In a thrilling encounter last March, Tottenham won 3-2 at home. Chadli gave Spurs the lead, Ki leveled at 1-1 in the first half. In the opening 15 minutes of the second half Mason and Andros Townsend gave Spurs a 3-1 lead, with Sigurdsson scoring a consolation goal just before the end of the match.
Prediction
Swansea City 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1
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