Tottenham Hotspur will host Leicester City at their home ground at 16:00 today. In their first meeting earlier this season, Leicester City beat Tottenham 2-1 but then, the Foxes were enjoying their best form.
However, since the Premier League returned from the coronavirus break, Leicester City have been struggling to maintain the consistency they enjoyed prior to the break. For instance, in the last 8 matches, Brendan Rodgers led team played, they have managed to win 2 matches, drawing three and losing three (including their FA Cup quarter-final loss to Chelsea).
Since the return of football in June, they have conceded 9 goals and scored 9 goals, meaning that they score as much as they concede. They won their midweek match against Sheffield United.
In the other hand, Tottenham Hotspur has not been as bad as Leicester City since the return of football in the Premier League. Unlike Leicester City, Spurs have played 7 matches. Out of the seven games, they won four, drew two and lost one. They won their midweek match against Newcastle.
Why Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City need this match so badly
The last two games of Jose Mourinho led Tottenham Hotspur are the most important in the team’s drive to qualify for next season’s Europa League. They are currently sitting on the 7th spot, one point away from the 6th placed Wolves.
Hence, Tottenham would not want to drop any point because Jose Mourinho’s hope right now is to take the team to Europe and they can only achieve that if they make it to the 6th spot before the season finally ends.
As they hope that Wolves will lose or draw a match, Tottenham’s only job is to ensure that they don’t drop any point from their last two games starting from today. A win against Leicester and a win against Crystal Palace on 26 of July could be enough for a Europa League if Wolves drop one or two points in their last two games.
In the other hand, Leicester City are condemned to win today’s match and their match against Manchester United. This is their only option if they intend to finish in the top 4. They are sitting on the 4th spot with 62 points, the same as 5th placed United but ahead with superior goals difference. Any draw or loss for Leicester City will mean a drop from the top-four if Manchester United don’t also drop any point.
Team news: Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur’s midfielder, Dele Alli, is still out with a hamstring injury. Today’s match is the 4th and final match Eric Dier will miss after he was slammed with a four-match ban by the English FA.
Serge Aurier whose brother was shot dead recently, just returned from France and it is not certain whether he will be mentally and emotionally fit enough for the match.
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Tanganga, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Davies; Winks, Sissoko, Lo Celso; Lucas, Kane, Son
Team news: Leicester City
Leicester’s James Maddison is still out with a hip injury, Ben Chilwell with a foot injury and Christian Fuchs with a groin. Caglar Soyuncu and Ricardo Pereira will not also be available for selection. Meanwhile, Jonny Evans and Marc Albrighton are now available for selection.
