The champions Leicester travel to White Hart Lane where they will face the only unbeaten side remaining in the league this season in Tottenham. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from the pick of Saturday night’s action.
Tottenham are coming off an EFL Cup Round of 16 loss to Liverpool during the week, while Leicester have had the week off to prepare for this clash. However, neither side will really have a fitness advantage after Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino decided to rest all of his first team players with one eye on this fixture.
The London outfit have only won one of their last three matches in the league making this clash a priority, having drawn against both Bournemouth and West Brom. Their impressive 2-0 victory over Manchester City earlier in the month is starting to feel like it was a long time ago already.
Meanwhile, Leicester have only won one of their last three fixtures in the league too. That came in their last start against Crystal Palace, with a loss and a draw to Chelsea and Southampton respectively before that. As a result both sides will be desperate for a win here to improve their recent form.
Spurs sit in fifth place going into the weekend, while the Foxes are in 12th, situated a point outside the top half of the table. In an incredibly competitive start to the season, Pochettino’s men are well placed and are just one point off the summit.
Claudio Ranieri’s men, on the other hand, haven’t had a great start as they have struggled to adapt to the rigours of playing both in the league and away in Europe. Usually it is the “hangover” that effects sides after playing in the Champions League, but with Leicester it has been the game before their European fixtures that has actually seen them slip up.
The likes of Hugo Loris and Dele Alli look set to return to the Tottenham starting line-up, while it will be interesting to see if Ranieri again chooses to leave last year’s golden boy Jamie Vardy on the bench. The Foxes looked more vibrant in attack without him last weekend as new man Islam Slimani led the line effectively.
That 3-1 win over Palace meant the defending champions stretched their unbeaten run on home soil to an impressive 20 games. Their away form is not so impressive though. They have lost all four of their games away from home so far this season- their last victory away from the King Power Stadium coming against Sunderland in April. With that in mind it looks like a Tottenham win by two goals may be on the cards.
Spyros Antoniou
Roar Pro
I agree, you analyze it perfectly
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
Janssen struck from the spot late in the first half after Huth had pulled him down- that was his first goal in the league. But Musa responded with a simple tap in immediately after the restart (assisted by Vardy). The teams both had chances to take all three points, with Vertonghen coming the closest with his header that struck the woodwork. A 1-1 draw is how it ended though. That's it from White Hart Lane and the Roar for tonight.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
21 attempts to 6 64% possession to 36% 8 corners to 1 Some key stats coming out of the game. Spurs were in control for large portions of it, as Leicester sat back and absorbed the pressure, like they did last season. A point a piece. I think Ranieri may be the happier manager.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
FT: Ripples of discontent filter around White Hart Lane. Spurs had the majority of possession, the bulk of the chances, and remain unbeaten. But Leicester battled back and scored early in the second half to gain their first away point of the season. An absorbing game ends in a 1-1 draw.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
95: The net ripples but Rose has driven his shot into the side netting. That's it- the final whistle has gone, the game ends 1-1
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
94: Last chance for the Foxes? Its whipped into the box but headed wide by Ulloa
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
93: Vertonghen lets rip with a 30 yard piled driver. I think the Belgian was looking to win the 'goal of the month' award with that one
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
90: Into the final five minutes here. Lengthy stoppage for Musa the reason for the long extra time
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
Absolutely- they've kept three clean sheets and won all three games in the Champions League. Can't seem to translate that form in the league though. Mahrez and Vardy have struggled so far this year.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
88: Simpson is given a yellow, he wont mind about that one though after his defence was looking vulnerable. We're into the final few minutes. A fair chunk of stoppage time to come
Spyros Antoniou
Roar Pro
I think last year Leicester had won the most penalties, and it was part of their huge success. This season i think they have problem offensively at least in the Premier League, because on Champions League are playing very good.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
86: Chance! Second time Spurs have hit the woodwork this game. Vertonghen digs a header from about 10 yards with the keeper beaten. That was unlucky.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
85: Fuchs needs to practice his long throws by the looks of it- terrible attempt near the edge of Spurs box. A corner for Spurs resulting from a quick break away comes to nothing.
Spyros Antoniou
Roar Pro
I agree , Spurs can win it look little more dangerous.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
84: The Foxes have started to get on top in the last few minutes and White Hart Lane is suddenly starting to sound nervy.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
82: Alli goes off and Nkoudou replaces him. Into the final ten minutes.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
80: Fuchs with another wild shot at goal. Albrighton puts in a cross but Walker clears. Still all square.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
Hey, I think Spurs may still nick it. Alli is looking good. What about you?
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
78: Ulloa- who is yet to start a game this season (6 appearances from the bench) is brought on for the tireless Okazaki. He must feel hard done by that he cant get a game under the man who is famous for constantly tinkering with his starting 11.
Spyros Antoniou
Roar Pro
Hi Mark, do you think the game will have a winner?