Tottenham Hotspur must beat Manchester City if they want to win this year’s Premier League title.
After league leaders Leicester City brushed aside the Sky Blues 3-1 at the Eithad last weekend, it is now Spurs’ turn to enforce their lead over the 2012 and 2014 champions.
The Lilywhites are currently one point ahead of City and bitter foes Arsenal. If this weekend’s game ends in a win for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, it would increase the deficit to four points – a much more substantial lead with 12 games to go after.
The top four are all involved in a league title mash-up, with Leicester also travelling away to Tottenham’s rivals Arsenal at the weekend.
This weekend seems to be a critical weekend for all four clubs in one of the most entertaining title races in recent years. This time last year, the Foxes were languishing at the bottom of the table but are now flying high under manager Claudio Ranieri.
Tottenham do not boast the same success story as Leicester; the North London team has always been a club that perches near the top of the table every year. If Spurs were to win the title this year, it would be their first league title since 1961.
Pochettino has been a force for his club since arriving in 2014 from Southampton, and if Tottenham were to win, it would possibly heighten the speculation surrounding his departure to another club. However, it could also give the Argentine a big reason to stay in a bid for even more success.
Spurs have a backlog of games in the Europa League and FA Cup which may cause an upset should key members of the squad sustain injuries. Tottenham did not purchase a backup striker for Harry Kane, which may prove to be a problem should the Englishman be overplayed.
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Leicester do not have the same issues as they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Spurs themselves. However, with such a young squad with depth, Tottenham should be able to overthrow any of the doubts placed on them to win the league.
The only detrimental injury that Spurs have is that of Jan Vertonghen, but after the explosive display from Kieran Trippier (who scored his first Tottenham goal against Watford) at the back, it does not seem to be all bad. Spurs consistently rotate their back four, which appears to benefit the side defensively. One would naturally assume this would disrupt routine, but not for Tottenham who hold one of the best defensive records this season.
All of this adds up to a strong case for Spurs bagging the Premier League title and causing an upset for the unbelievably surprising package of Leicester City.
For once, Tottenham will be relying on Arsenal to play well this weekend and slow down Leicester’s getaway from the rest of the pack. The Gunners are also on the hunt for their own title and should give the Foxes a solid run for their money at the Emirates Stadium.
But Spurs will desperately need to secure a win themselves, especially if they wish to stay in front of their rivals on goal difference. If they lose, they will be leapfrogged from by Arsene Wenger’s side. Arsenal had reached a lull in their challenge recently with a draw and a loss, but rose to the task against Bournemouth, securing a 2-0 win against the Cherries.
Spurs fans will start to believe that their beloved team can win the Premier League title, even if it is brought down to a dramatic last day. Who could forget City’s incredible triumph on the final day to became champions in 2012?
Tottenham are currently at 5/1 to win the league on most major betting sites, which shows there is some belief behind their challenge, but most bookies are believing in the unbelievable with Leicester, Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez.
All Spurs have to do is stay calm and do what they have been doing all season and secure three points week in, week out. 1-0 wins are still victories and while it may not be a particularly attractive game of football, sometimes one goal is all it takes.
Pochettino and his men can certainly start to hope and dream, if they have not already begun, should they dispose of Manchester City this Sunday.
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