Huddersfield’s joyous start to their Premier League life has had a severe reality check of late. David Wagner’s side have not been victorious in their last five competitive matches. Their two wins leave them in a decent position after six league matches, but the momentum has waned.
The Terriers host a Spurs side more comfortable away from home. Mauricio Pochettino has seen his team score two or more in their last five away league matches, and come into this one after am emphatic 3-0 victory away at Apoel Nicosia in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Harry Kane has regained his very best form of late, too. Spurs’ talismanic centre forward netted a hat-trick in their midweek victory, and is scoring at a rate that justifiably sees him amongst the best strikers in the world. When the England international gets hot, he tends to stay hot. His price of 11/20 is not great value, however, so a first goal bet at 15/8 is more tempting.
With Steven Mounie a doubt and having scored only once in their last four league outings, Wagner’s side could really struggle against this Spurs defence.
While injuries impact Pochettino’s selection elsewhere, the back line will be at as good as full strength. The combination of Huddersfield’s offensive shortcomings and Spurs’ consistent solidity defensively, a both teams to score – no - bet at 8/11 has to be a price worth considering.
The match could become very congested centrally. Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen – or his replacement if he’s unavailable – will both drop into the middle third on occasion and Eric Dier will keep close tabs on Aaron Mooy.
If Huddersfield are to have any chance of causing a serious upset on Saturday lunchtime, their wingers – Tom Ince and Elias Kachunga – will need to regularly get the better of Spurs’ wing-backs. Stretching the game and overloading in wide areas is the best opportunity to imbalance the Spurs defence. Ultimately, it may take a moment of individual brilliance for the Terriers to find a breakthrough.
Wagner’s side have been well set up out of possession thus far. Defensively they have looked secure, and will rely on that again this weekend. Should they go behind, however, they will be forced to open up and we will get our first glimpse of how they cope against a top six attack.
With Spurs keen to get the ball into the feet of their two attacking midfielders, Mooy will be under pressure and sometimes outnumbered. His price of 15/4 to pick up a yellow card looks a very good one if Spurs are able to transition quickly and find the former Manchester City man out of position.
This is a test for Huddersfield far beyond anything else they have faced. Playing at home, after Spurs had a long away trip in midweek, might help them out a smidge, but it looks bleak for the Yorkshire club. The Lilywhites are working towards their top form at the moment, and have a striker who seems to be converting almost any chance.
If Eriksen and Mousa Dembele cannot play it might sway it slightly, but Spurs’ steely defence with the lethal Kane should be too much alone.
TIP: Spurs to win and Kane to score @ 9/10
