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Tottenham will look to keep their impressive run of form going when they travel to the Britannia Stadium to take on a resurgent Stoke.
Spurs have now gone 11 games without tasting defeat and have won their last six in a row, culminating in their impressive 3-0 win over Bolton at White Hart Lane last weekend.
That run has prompted claims that Harry Redknapp’s side can go all the way and challenge the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United for the title, but in order to rubberstamp their credentials they must prove their have the mental strength to undertake the long trip to places such as Stoke and emerge with all three points.
Redknapp admitted last week that he faces a tough task in juggling all of his squad in order to keep them happy, and that matter is no more obvious than in the striking department.
Since the arrival of Emmanuel Adebayor over the summer Jermain Defoe and Rafael Van Der Vaart have been left to fight it out over one place up front. The Dutchman had held that place almost exclusively after embarking on a record five game scoring streak, but ever since he picked up a hamstring injury Defoe has impressed in his place, finding the net against Bolton and West Brom in recent weeks to give Redknapp a real headache now that Van Der Vaart is back to full fitness.
Stoke meanwhile have seemingly found a way of balancing their exertions in the Europa League with picking up points in the Premier League after embarking on eight defeats following a mid-week game on the continent stretching back to pre-season.
Tottenham have no fresh injury worries going into the game, with Michael Dawson and Tom Huddlestone still long term absentees alongside Niko Kranjcar, Giovanni Dos Santos and Danny Rose.
Wins against Everton and West Brom either side of securing qualification for the next stage of the Europa League thanks to their draw with Dynamo Kiev on Thursday, bumping them up to 8th in the league ahead of what could prove to a crucial winter period in their ambition to qualify for the tournament next year.
Match Winner
Tottenham’s excellent run of form mean they go into the game as favourites despite Stoke’s fearsome home reputation.
Spurs are 2.10 (11/10) with SkyBet while Stoke are 3.80 (14/5) with VC Bet to pick up all three points, with the draw placed at 5/2 with Bet365.
First Goalscorer
Emmanuel Adebayor leads the first goal scorer market after bagging braces against Fulham and West Brom in recent weeks, with the on-loan Manchester City man at 6.50 (11/2) withVC Bet.
Stoke’s main threat comes courtesy of former Spurs man Peter Crouch, and is (15/2) with SkyBet
While the usual suspsect head the first goal scorer market, Gareth Bale has proved himself a more than capable goal threat this season, and found the back of the net against Bolton last week.
The Welshman is 11.00 (10/1) with BWIN and well worth considering.
Recommended Bets
First Goalscorer: Gareth Bale, 11.00 (10/1)BWIN
Correct score: Tottenham 2-0, 10.00 (9/1) Coral
